For many professional athletes their earliest memories of their path to success start out during junior years playing sport in the backyard with family.
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And that is exactly where it all began for former AFLW and Lady Braves player Elise Hogan.
Hogan was born in Mildura and grew up playing basketball for local leagues before progressing to the Country Victoria team.
After moving to Bendigo when she was 18 to study graphic design and teaching, Hogan could hear the basketball court calling and took on a position with the Lady Braves.
Hogan played numerous seasons with the Braves before she wanted to pursue her true passion, a life on the football field.
“I loved footy when I was growing up and I always wanted to play,” Hogan said.
“No one really believed that I would do it.
“I had a few friends at the Bendigo Thunder so I went along to one of the training sessions.
“And then one kick led to another kick.”
After a season with the Thunder during 2016 the next step of her career was in sight, to play on an AFLW team.
Hogan was drafted to the Melbourne Football Club where she had trained as a back-up player.
“I didn’t get my name called out on draft day and I was slightly envious of those girls,” Hogan said.
“I worked really hard on and off the field and was doing all the right things in regards to my training.
“I was in the AFL Women’s Academy and they were looking at the group of around 100 girls for players to be replacements for the AFLW teams.
“Melbourne had a couple of injured players and they needed some replacements.”
Hogan can still recall the exact moment she received the call with the offer she had waited to receive for her entire life.
“I received the phone call while I was at school teaching, I told my class I had been drafted, they were all so happy and pumped to hear the news.”
At the conclusion of her debut AFLW season in 2017 Hogan joined the Geelong Cats VFL Women’s team.
“I unfortunately had a shoulder reconstruction during the season while I was at my peak,” Hogan said.
After a successful recovery, Hogan was ready to continue her career as an AFLW player.
Hogan was then appointed as a vice-captain at the AFLW Richmond Tigers for the 2018 season, the future looked to be bright.
Until one game it all changed, Hogan was on the receiving end of a career-ending tackle.
“I was in a sling tackle and hit the back of my head.”
“I played out the rest of the game, but I knew something wasn’t right.”
Over the next week Hogan unfortunately began to experience strange symptoms.
“I couldn’t concentrate. I went to football training and was calling girls the wrong names and everything was spinning.”
The next step was to conduct further medical investigations which led to Hogan being diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome.
Everyday elements of life such as light and noise became a challenge for Hogan to handle, so the decision was made, it was time to slow down.
Unable to drive or work for several months, Hogan underwent weekly therapy sessions for around three months at a brain injury clinic in Melbourne.
“The doctor discussed the risks of if I were to go back to football and what would happened if I was hit on the head again,” Hogan said.
“The writing was on the wall and the decision was made for me.”
Her husband David Hogan had also experienced a similar scenario having been concussed several times during his career as a sportsman.
“David provided me with support and could sympathise with what I was going through,” Hogan said.
“It was confusing and confronting at times but I was lucky because not everyone has the privilege of getting access to the best care.”
Hogan’s years on the football field may be over, but not her life as an athlete.
“If it wasn’t for my family I wouldn’t have had all these opportunities, they’ve played a major role in everything I’ve done.
“I’ve been slowly getting back into training with Megan Moody at the Bendigo Braves, Hogan said.
“My love for basketball is back and I would love to play a role with them either on or off the court.”
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