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…the Matildas’ star goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold!
Today she’s a fan favourite among Australia’s national women’s football team, but growing up Arnold only ever wanted to play NRL.
Growing up, she’d watch every game with dad Steve Arnold and brother Sam Arnold, who was more than happy to trade tackles with her in the backyard.
“[Rugby league] was all I knew. No other sport existed. Not even soccer,” Mackenzie wrote in her memoir Macca: My Story So Far.
“I was going to be Brisbane’s next fullback. Never mind that women didn’t play much league in the 1990s. Boring details like that weren’t going to stop me from becoming the next Lockyer.
“Neither was the fact Mum refused to sign me up.”