TUNISHA Kikoak is embracing her unconventional journey to the AFLW. In December last year, the dangerous tall utility was left devastated after going undrafted. But, by August 31 this year, she was lining up for her debut AFLW match wearing Fremantle's famous purple chevron.
After that disappointing draft night, she decided to return to the Coates Talent League as a top ager. Then, a stunning showing for the U23 All Stars in April's showcase game against the Marsh AFLW Academy put her on the Dockers' radar. All of this ultimately saw her signed as Kiara Bowers' replacement for the 2024 season.
"It's a lot, obviously, but I think it's just something to embrace," Kikoak told AFL.com.au .
"It's not many people that don't get drafted, then picked up as a replacement player and then play round one. It's just something so surreal and so unique for myself that I've actually been able to accomplish getting on an AFLW list." A post shared by Fremantle Dockers AFLW (@freodockersaflw) A call from Fremantle's head of AFLW Claire Heffernan following that All Stars match was Kikoak's first sign that her dream wasn't over.
They caught up over Zoom, and the following month 'TK' as she is affectionately known was officially a Docker. But there's a parallel universe where Kikoak doesn't even play in that All Stars game, instead having given up the dream after draft night. "It was a very emotional period," Kikoak said.
"I was in two minds about it, and to be honest, I was going to step away fro.