Suns AFLW star Kalinda Howarth has been named in the 2020 AFLW All-Australian squad after twice being knocked back from an AFLW list

Rejection has proved to be the making of All-Australian Suns star Kalinda Howarth.

FREMANTLE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 21: Kalinda Howarth of the Suns in action during the 2020 AFLW Semi Final match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Gold Coast Suns at Fremantle Oval on March 21, 2020 in Fremantle, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

REJECTION has proved to be the making of All-Australian Suns star Kalinda Howarth.

Last night the 20-year-old was named in the 2020 AFLW All-Australian squad following an incredible debut season which included a rising star nomination, nine goals and a Suns finals campaign.

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But if not for a dose of harsh reality, not once but twice, Howarth isn’t sure she’d be the player she is today.

Drafted by the Brisbane Lions for the 2018 season, Howarth couldn’t crack into an extremely competitive starting 21 and was delisted without playing a game.

Kalinda Howarth of the Suns kicks during the round 2 AFLW match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Richmond Tigers at Metricon Stadium on February 15, 2020 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/Getty Images)

Later that year after rediscovering her love for football, Howarth tried her luck training with the Greater Western Sydney Giants but was again told she wasn’t required.

“I tried my best to get onto a list but Giants coach Alan McConnell was really nice and honest with me and they told me I didn’t fit into the team they needed at that point in time,” she said.

“It was obviously disappointing but I wouldn’t be in the position I am now if that didn’t happen.

“Getting knocked back helped me realise that I needed to dig in and work hard.

“I knew I could play at that level if I worked hard but I realised that it wasn’t just the Lions keeping me off an AFLW list.”

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When she was later signed by the Suns, McConnell reached out and congratulated Howarth on her new contract.

But it didn’t take long for the competition to realise what they were missing out on.

Once Howarth kicked her first AFLW goal against Brisbane in Round 3, the pressure departed and she established herself as a star of the future.

Then on Sunday night, Howarth was greeted at home by Suns Head of Women’s Football Fiona McLarty and told she’d been named in the All-Australian side.

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“I thought she was dropping off the last few things from my locker but she had this box in her hand which I said wasn’t mine but she said ‘no I think it might be,’” she said.

“There was this piece of paper which said ‘what do all of these things have in common’ and I started sifting through and there was a little koala, some Australian socks, a corked hat and a few photos of me.

“I was looking at Fi so confused like what does all this mean but then at the bottom of the box there was another piece of paper which said ‘they are All Australian.’”

Kalinda Howarth on Sunday night after being surprised with news she was a 2020 AFLW All-Australian. Supplied.

Howarth was straight on FaceTime to her dad, who had spent the past few weeks analysing her statistics and comparing them to other members of the All-Australian squad, before hopping in the car to tell the rest of her family.

“I was lost for words,” she said.

“My family has played such a big part of my journey.

“I was just hoping to get onto an AFLW list and All-Australian was the last thing on my mind so it’s a huge reward and honour but it doesn’t happen without the support I’ve received from the Suns and my family and friends.”

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Having already achieved one of the AFLW’s biggest individual honours in her first season, Howarth said she’s now hellbent on achieving team success.

“We made finals this year which was a massive achievement but the whole point of playing is to win a premiership,” she said.

Full All-Australian Squad

BACK: Sarah Allen (Adelaide Crows), Kate Lutkins (Brisbane Lions)

HALF BACKS: Kerryn Harrington (Carlton), Libby Birch (Melbourne), Isabelle Huntington (Western Bulldogs)

CENTRES: Emma Kearney (Vice Captain, Kangaroos), Kiara Bowers (Fremantle), Jaimee Lambert (Collingwood)

HALF FORWARDS: Olivia Purcell (Geelong Cats), Gemma Houghton (Fremantle), Jasmine Garner (Kangaroos)

FORWARDS: Caitlin Greiser (St Kilda), Kate Hore (Melbourne)

FOLLOWERS: Sharni Layton (Collingwood), Karen Paxman (Captain, Melbourne), Madison Prespakis (Carlton)

INTERCHANGE: Kalinda Howarth (Gold Coast SUNS), Alyce Parker (GWS GIANTS), Tayla Harris (Carlton), Ash Riddell (Kangaroos), Anne Hatchard (Adelaide Crows)