CANADA Northern Lights captain Aimee Legault long ago fell in love with football. She even has the obligatory nickname based on her surname – 'Leggo'.
Although the former soccer star's hometown of Montreal is nearly 17,000km from Melbourne and the MCG, it hasn't stopped her pursuing the game she loves.
"I moved to Australia to learn more about the game in 2011 and then again in 2015," Legault said on the eve of the AFL International Cup.
"I tore my ACL prior to the AFL Women's draft trials (last year), but I'll be back," she said.
You only have to spend a few minutes with this leading light to understand she is not the sort of person to allow a minor matter like distance get in her way. Behind the gentle Canadian lilt is a straight-talking and determined footy player who is in Melbourne to win – again.
The midfielder with the Montreal Angels/Notre-Dame-de-Grace Giants was best on ground in the 2014 AFL International Cup Grand Final, when she kicked a 40-metre goal and captained Canada to a revenge victory over Ireland.
"Following the Grand Final loss to Ireland in 2011, coach Jason Arnold came in and changed the structure around the national program," said Legault, who works in human resources for the Canadian Government.
"Jason set a pathway."
Despite strong preparation, Canada's 2017 campaign got off to a rocky start against Fiji. In a physical game in tough conditions at Royal Park last Sunday, the Northern Lights needed a 'golden point' to secure the win. On Wednesday, they easily handled Pakistan to remain unbeaten.
As a top-of-the-ladder clash against Great Britain beckons on Sunday in Diamond Creek, the Canadian skipper knows her team is in for a fight.
"The Swans will be great competitors and hard at the contest," she predicted. "It's always interesting to welcome new teams to the competition [like Great Britain and Pakistan] because every country brings something new to the game."
Whoever the opponent, Legault brings her own physicality to the game, despite giving away height and weight to most players. With a hard-running game – and ability to present all over the field – the Canadian skipper leads by example and works hard to galvanise teammates.
"It's like a dream come true to be fighting for the chance to play [in the Grand Final] at Etihad Stadium," she said. "It's an incredible opportunity for us to shoot to become a part of the footy culture."
Legault experienced the intensity of elite sport when she played semi-professional soccer in Canada [the highest level for women]. But, despite contract offers from London's Chelsea Ladies FC and Germany’s Borussia Dortmund, it was the Sherrin that stole her heart.
"My sister [and teammate Margo Legault] was looking to find a club for her Irish boyfriend in Montreal," she recalled. "We all went to watch, and Margo and I fell in love with the game.
"I was thinking 'what are you guys doing with that odd-shaped ball in your weird uniforms and short shorts?'
"It is so different and challenging. It does not matter what your skill level is or whether you come from a team or individual sport background. It is a game for everyone.
"My family were a bit shocked and disappointed as I had a lot of opportunities in soccer. I was 25 when I started playing Aussie Rules, but with the footy in my hand, there was no turning back."
At 32, Legault plans to keep playing and wants to return for another International Cup, but she is also focused on leaving a football legacy in her home nation – and indeed for women around the world.
"You're changing your entire life for these weeks," said Legault. "You have to choose whether you really want to be here from the get-go. Are you willing to make that financial sacrifice to have the opportunity to play for your country? Is it worth it? Every single person in our squad would agree it absolutely is."
Go to AFL.com.au/internationalcup for scores, live streams of selected matches, feature stories and news from the tournament, and worldfootynews.com for reports on all matches.
