By Isabelle Campbell (18/1/25)
Above: Sarah Rowe for Central Coast Mariners. Photo: Central Coast Mariners.
Sarah Rowe talks to Impetus about transitioning between two elite sports, why she chose the Mariners and how she prepared to return to football.
After spending seven seasons with Collingwood in the AFLW, Sarah Rowe is embracing a new chapter in her career, trading Melbourne for Sydney and AFL for football.
Now signed with the Central Coast Mariners for the remainder of the 24/25 season, The former Ireland international, who can play both on a wing or at fullback, is ready to immerse herself in a new environment and make her mark in the A-League Women.
The transition has been exciting, and while the change is significant, Rowe is motivated by the opportunity to grow both as both a player and as a person.
“It’s been so good. It’s been such a refreshing change for me,” Rowe told Impetus.
“I think it’s a big move from Melbourne to Sydney, but obviously being from Ireland is a big move in itself as well just because I probably had the chance at this time of the year to go home and maybe play in Ireland or go home to family.
“But I love the thought of moving to Sydney and challenging myself in a new environment and kind of seeing what life up here had to offer,”
For Rowe, the move to Sydney was more than just a change of scenery—it was a chance to push herself in a new direction. Joining a young, ambitious team excited her, and she quickly saw how the opportunity to play for the Mariners could offer a chance for growth.
“I really liked what Emily Husband was about and I just felt they were a young group and an up-and-coming team.
“I was like, yeah. If I get an opportunity here, why not take it?”
Joining the Mariners at a time when women’s football in Australia is experiencing a rapid rise in popularity, thanks to the Women’s World Cup, Rowe has noticed an undeniable shift since her last season in the A-League with Melbourne Victory.
“Definitely, there seems to be more fans at the games. Is probably something I’ve noticed. We have a very loyal fan base at Mariners, and I’ve definitely noticed that.”
But it’s not just the atmosphere that drew Rowe to the Mariners. When she spoke with the club’s coach, Emily Husband, she immediately felt a connection.
“I had a call with Emily and just felt, I suppose, connected with her straight away. She just seemed like a really understanding coach, and I’d heard that she was one of the best coaches in the league.
“I could understand why because she’s a very understanding person, but also has really high standards of herself and others, which I always gravitate towards.
“I really want to be pushed, and I want to learn and grow as a player all the time.
“I just don’t think you can do that on your own as a player, and we rely so heavily on our coaches to get us better.”
Rowe’s transition from AFL to football has been made smoother by the help of some familiar faces, particularly Caitlin Friend, the founder of Elite Female Football.
Friend, who played a crucial role in Rowe’s initial switch from AFL to soccer in 2023, has been instrumental in guiding her once again.
“Elite Female Football, that was great,” says Rowe.
“Caitlin Friend was the skills coach at Victory when I first went across, and I did so much work with her when I was at Victory.
“She was really influential in my transition from AFL to soccer.
“At the time, I used to arrive to training half an hour or an hour early and just do 1-on-1 stuff with Caitlin. So when I was transitioning again, I needed to talk to her.
“I kind of got her opinion on what she thinks of the league in general, what Mariners are like, what the coach is like, you always look for, I suppose, references on all those stuff.
“She was a real trusted voice for me.”
As part of her preparation before joining the Mariners, Rowe also sought extra training to make sure she wasn’t starting from scratch.
“I think it was every Friday/Saturday morning for about three or four weeks, I went and trained with Caitlin Friend, which really helped me in my transition.
“So it wasn’t just coming flying up to Mariners and just being really raw.”
Rowe is fully immersed in her current role with the Mariners, prioritizing her development and team success over any thoughts of a return to the international stage.
Despite after only a brief six-month return to football and landing a spot as a standby player for the World Cup, Rowe is keeping her focus on getting back to her footballing best with the Mariners.
“I think no matter what, as a sports person, you always have aspirations to play at the highest level. And, of course, if opportunities came your way, you wouldn’t say no.
“But I think for me, it’s just getting back to my best, performing with Mariners, and also winning games. So that feels like purely my focus.”
Finally, Rowe offered her admiration for the Matildas’ impact on women’s sport globally, “I would be a massive fan of what the Matildas have done and are doing just globally for female sports.
“It’s incredible to see what they’re doing. They really are at the pinnacle of female sports when you think about why the game is growing, a lot of it comes down to the Matildas. They’re an incredible bunch and a really admirable bunch.”
Rowe’s arrival at the Mariners marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in her career, and her journey is one that football fans will want to follow closely. With her impressive background across both AFL and football, Rowe has proven herself to be a force in the sporting world.
Her versatility, determination, and hunger for success make her a player to watch, and as she continues to settle into her new role, it’s clear that she has the potential to make a big impact with the Mariners.
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