Tara Murray
Isabel Dehakiz’s journey to the A-League women’s competition and Western United started with a conversation with Melbourne Victory captain Kayla Morrison.
The pair both signed two month contracts with Portland Thorns as replacement players during last year’s World Cup.
Conversation turned to where Dehakiz was going to play next and the rest went from there.
“I played in Columbia, which was my first and last professional season and then I got a crazy opportunity to play with the Portland Thorns,” she said.
“Kayla Morrison was also one of those people… For me coming from Colombia and just a different journey, a different side of the world, I had no idea who Kayla Morrison is.
“It turns out she’s quite a big deal over here.
“The question came about of what do you think you’ll be doing after Columbia or after this?
“I was like, I don’t know like I don’t know if I want to go back to Columbia and play over there, but I love traveling and she told me like she’s been in Australia for quite a while.
“I thought I would love to go travel and play in different places. She knew the Bulleen head coach and that was my in.”
Bulleen took a chance on Dehakiz and she didn’t let them down. She was named the National Premier League women’s players player of the year and helped the side win a championship.
Western United then came calling and Dehakiz jumped at the opportunity to join the club.
She said it was one thing that she had on her list and she was able to tick that off.
“I think Western has done such a good job team wise, it’s not so much, a big like, oh my goodness, I’m playing in the A-league,” she said.
“This is another team part of my journey. I think the girls have done such a great job to include everyone in and this is our team, I’m excited because I feel like we’re prepared
“I’m excited to be a part of the A-League and for it to be with Western too.”
Making the transition slightly easier is that Dehakiz is one of three players from Bullen’s premiership side.
Claudia Mihocic and Alana Cortellino both signed with the club in the off season as well.
“It makes it more welcoming and comfortable,” she said. “Having Claudia and Lans there every morning at 7am, it’s great to see familiar faces.
“It’s been really fun, I think it was meant to be.”
Western United is set to kick off their season on Friday night against Wellington Phoenix at Ironbark Fields.
Dehakiz said the group again had high expectations after making finals in its first two seasons.
“I think the first week we come in, Kat [Smith] said you’re not going to be able to do something, but later on we’ll get there,” she said. “Don’t get frustrated, it’s OK.
“We were off in the off season and it’s pre-season and now we’re hitting the ground running.
“What we have accomplished already in five weeks, it’s gone by so fast. I’m very excited to see what we can produce on the field in round one and all the way until whenever in April.
“I think from day one the standard has been kept high.”
