Coolangatta captain Emily Otto and Bond captain Shannon Danckert are both eager to claim QAFLW Coast bragging rights

Not even a spine reconstruction can prevent Emily Otto from getting back out onto the footy field.

NOT even a spine reconstruction can prevent Emily Otto from getting back out onto the footy field.

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Just under one year after going surgery, the newly elected Coolangatta QAFLW captain is set to complete a remarkable recovery.

It’s been nearly 18 months since Otto has played a proper game of football after she discovered she had degenerative disc disease and underwent surgery last April.

There wasn’t a particular incident or collision which forced her onto the operation table, but rather the culmination of playing contact sport and working daily as a carpenter.

On Saturday, Bond University and Coolangatta will go head to head in round 1 of the QAFLW season. Pictured at Bond University in Robina. Coolangatta player Emily Otto. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

“It all sort of snowballed but I’m really glad I got it done because I’m stronger now than I was before surgery,” she said.

“There’s a few nerves going into the game with that but I’m also so excited to get out there after having so long off.

“It’s been a long process.

“I seriously can’t wait.”

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The 26-year-old will make her long awaited return in Round 1 of the QAFLW season this weekend as the Bluebirds prepare to face off against traditional Gold Coast rivals, Bond University.

2020 marks Otto’s fourth season of footy, following a promising martial arts career.

The midfielder has a black belt in karate and even travelled to Thailand for kickboxing.

“I was looking for something different and I turned on the television one day and watched the first AFLW game and thought that’s the sport for me,” Otto said.

“Footy has all the best bits from all the sports that I love.”

The Bluebirds lost both contests against Bond University in 2019 but after a long break and gruelling pre-season, Otto said Coolangatta is preparing to claim back Gold Coast bragging rights.

On Saturday, Bond University and Coolangatta will go head to head in round 1 of the QAFLW season. Pictured at Bond University in Robina, Bond Sharks coach Shane Atkins with Shannon Danckert, Emily Otto from Coolangatta Bluebirds with coach Nicole Graves. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

“You go in every week wanting a win but being a Coast Clash, you’re playing for Coast pride,” she said.

“Being Round 1 as well, there’s a lot of heart behind it and hopefully we get the win.”

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Newly elected Bond University captain Shannon Danckert is similarly hoping to claim Gold Coast glory after spending the off-season contemplating Bond’s grand final loss to Coorparoo.

The midfielder will miss the clash to attend a wedding in Victoria but believes her team has what it takes to kick off their season with a win.

On Saturday, Bond University and Coolangatta will go head to head in round 1 of the QAFLW season. Pictured at Bond University in Robina. Bond Sharks player Shannon Danckert. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

“Being the Coast clash, we’ll approach it a little bit different,” she said.

“We’ve had them the last few times so hopefully we’ll have them again.

“In the pre-season, there’s been the talk of yes we lost and it was a really bad way for us to go out but we’re ready to get a good mark on our name again heading into the season.”