ONE look at Rhali Dobson’s social media profile will see one sentence that stands out – normality is a paved road and flowers don’t grow there.
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It perfectly sums up the 25-year-old attacker’s last six months which ultimately culminated in a W-League championship trophy in Melbourne City's 2-0 grand final win on Sunday.
Just six months ago, Dobson had to divert off the paved road she had known in Newcastle to forge another in the southern capital.
While things didn’t work out the way she’d have liked in the Hunter, it provided a fresh challenge and with partner Matt Stonham’s encouragement, she was on her way.
The championship trophy and winner’s medal are her reward for the hard work and in many ways, she has proven a few people wrong in the process.
“I did athletics for a long time as a hurdler,” Dobson said.
“I like proving people wrong; if there was ever an obstacle that got in my way, and I got knocked down, I wanted to conquer it in some aspect.”
City’s three-peat over Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium created women’s football history – it has never been done before.
“All the girls in this team are a bit of a limited edition. We’re all different in our own ways,” Dobson said.
“As (captain) Jess Fishlock said, you can hate us as much as you want, but you need to respect all the girls for what they’ve achieved.
“None of us have taken an easy road to get here.”
I like proving people wrong; if there was ever an obstacle that got in my way, and I got knocked down, I wanted to conquer it in some aspect.
- Rhali Dobson
The former Matilda said the support she had received from family, friends and her partner had made it all worthwhile.
“I would not have done it without Matt because so many people would have run in the opposite direction facing not only what we have with soccer, but with the health problems that he had,” she said.
“I don’t like to go out on something that is not on my terms, so coming here, winning this, fighting for a spot every single week – that was something I told myself that when things got hard and things are hurting, I’m working while everyone else is sleeping.
“It’s still sinking in; I went to bed with my medal around my neck last night, so I don’t think it’s going to be leaving me any time soon.”
After coming on in the 62nd minute as a substitute when the defending champions held a 1-0 advantage, Dobson had an opportunity to extend City’s lead shortly after, but she blazed over the bar.
She then won a free-kick where captain Fishlock hit the crossbar before teammate Jodie Taylor tapped in to an empty net.
The grand final win had become “a dream come true.”
“It was a little bit like making the grand final was Christmas Eve and winning it is like Santa, the Easter Bunny and The Tooth Fairy all coming at once,” she said.
It was a little bit like making the grand final was Christmas Eve and winning it is like Santa, the Easter Bunny and The Tooth Fairy all coming at once.
- Rhali Dobson
“It’s been a very long journey.
“I’ve been playing for 21 years now and to win a grand final medal and championship, plus make the history books for the W-League, I’d never have anticipated it.”