Be careful what you wish for — because you might just get it.

At 28, I embarked on a football journey with one burning desire: to become the best player I could be, as fast as possible.

I was playing at a club with an AFL pathway, but I knew I needed more than what was available to me at the time. So I did what any determined, slightly obsessive goal-chaser would do — I went online, found a one-on-one coach, hired him, and got to work.

Ten sessions in, I was already thinking about the next level of support. I just didn't know where to find it.

Then fate stepped in.

After a goal kicking session one afternoon, a stranger walked over and asked if he could join me for a kick. We got talking. I told him what I was working toward. And then he told me who he was — the father of a well-known AFL footballer, and someone with a deep passion for coaching.

He offered to help me. For free.

I wasn't sure what to make of it. But I was determined, so I said yes.

What followed was one of the most unexpected and valuable chapters of my football journey. We spent hours together on ovals across Melbourne — working on skills, breaking down technique, talking through the mental side of the game. He shared knowledge I couldn't have found online or paid for in a session. And slowly, I started to surpass milestones I hadn't even dared to set yet.

What I took from that experience went far beyond football.

It taught me to stay open. To say yes to the unexpected. To understand that the right mentor can show up in the most unlikely of places — and that personalised guidance, from someone who genuinely cares, can change everything.

If you're chasing a big goal right now, I'd encourage you to keep your eyes open. The support you need might already be right where you are.

Lauren Munday playing VFLW for Carlton 2019