RHALI Dobson will be the first to admit her football career was rock bottom when Melbourne City originally came calling this time last year.
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Twelve months later, the 26-year-old has a W-League championship medal hanging on the mantelpiece at home.
She hopes to add to it this season after signing a seasonal contract with the champions.
Everything happens for a reason and she’ll also be the first to admit Melbourne “is home” despite only spending a year there.
When the club offered her an off-season training program one day after their grand final success it was an indication she was in their plans for 2018/19.
“I am very much a person who believes in karma and things happening for a reason,” Dobson said.
“City came about when things were rock bottom and when I was about to give up on the game, but PK (former coach Patrick Kisnorbo) gave me that lifeline and brought my love back to the game.
“I will be forever grateful because I wouldn’t have a medal and I wouldn’t know what I was capable of without them.”
Her first year in the southern capital provided the end result that more than the previous 40 matches hadn’t at Newcastle Jets.
“Melbourne City is home,” she admitted.
“It is the move I should have made many years ago, but hindsight is a wonderful thing and City meets my expectations of what I want.
“It has that family feel.”
The Wauchope junior admitted had City not picked up the phone and made contact, she would have given the game away.
“There would be a very good chance I would not be playing because I love time away from the game as well,” she said.
Despite winning a championship in her first year in Victoria as city completed a three-peat, Dobson was looking forward to the challenge of again being the ones to beat this season.
“The hunger is always there; if anyone knew me they know I’m a very competitive person,” she said.
“I like to win, it doesn’t matter if it’s a soccer game, a board game or arguing with my father at the kitchen sink.”
Working as an occupational therapist means the former Matilda is focused on life away from the football field as much as she is on it.
It’s why Dobson isn’t concerned about the prospect of not playing another match for her country.
“It wouldn’t bother me if I didn’t get another game for the Matildas because I feel like I’ve been very fortunate with the opportunities that have come to me recently.”