An opportunity to do good can knock at the most unexpected of times, even at the most personally challenging of moments.

For Erin McKinnon, a heavy concussion sustained in a game against Geelong last September has brought about many physical and mental hardships, but now there's the chance for her to turn those adversities into something more.

Fostered through her relationship with mentor Kirstan Corben, Executive Director of the Danny Frawley Centre for Health & Wellbeing, through St Kilda's AFLW Mentor Program, McKinnon is taking steps to leverage her own stories into positive outcomes for those facing their own battles.

In the first of Opal's AFLW Mentor Program Q&As, McKinnon and Corben talk about their work at the Danny Frawley Centre, starting fresh in new environments and how they're looking to make a positive difference for the community.

Erin, it's a big call moving interstate, even more so when moving away from family, friends and an established AFLW career. How was it making that decision?

EM: It was a huge decision and I weighed it up for quite a while. I was moving away from family and friends and my support network up in Sydney, but equally I’d just finished my uni degree up there and felt like it was my opportunity for a bit of a change, a bit of a refresh. I was nervous, but excited about coming down to Melbourne and knew I was lucky where I was moving states for work. I had a ready-made group of friends moving down here and a lot of support from the club in regards to setting up accommodation and my career transition.

Part of the decision about me coming down was that I’d be able to get work at the Danny Frawley Centre, which sounded like a really good initiative and paired in well with my sports science degree working in the recovery centre. I was keen to do that and it had very flexible hours and they were very happy for me to pursue that while pursuing my AFLW career.

Kirstan, what areas does your mentor-mentee relationship mainly focus on?

KC: Erin and I first met when she joined the Saints for Season 7 and took on a part-time role as a Recovery Advisor with the Danny Frawley Centre. We were paired in the AFLW Mentor Program and took the opportunity to build an even stronger and deeper relationship spanning work, sport and life.

We've have had some great conversations about getting established in a new club and building new relationships with colleagues and teammates (which has been something we’ve both done this year!).  We’ve also talked a lot about personal values and beliefs and how to ensure we align our values with our career choices. 

Erin is still thinking through her longer-term career plan beyond footy and has an interest in physiotherapy among other options. As a physio myself, I’ve been able to share my own experiences with Erin to help her know what life is like as an allied health professional.

How has the AFLW Mentor Program and working at the Danny Frawley Centre meant to you?

EM: I’d been working at the DFC for a few weeks and I was lined up with Kirstan through the AFLW Mentor Program. I’d seen her around the DFC and at that stage I was seeing new faces every day, but she’s been great.

She was able to give me a deeper understanding whole story behind the Danny Frawley Centre, which given my current experience with concussion I feel very strongly about, as well as previous history with mental illness and dealing with the loss of Jacinda Barclay up at the Giants.

Kirstan really just emphasised for me the excitement in being able to work at the DFC and play a bit of a role. We’ve spoken a lot about how I could use my history and present it in a positive light to share what I’ve gone through – and going through – in my story. We’re probably still not quite ready for that yet as it is ongoing, but we’ll work on that in the future.

How has your relationship grown with Kirstan through the AFLW Mentor Program, especially after going through your own personal challenges this year?

EM: Kirstan has become almost like an aunt to me. We’d catch up every fortnight and grab a coffee and if there was anything bothering me she was always there for a text.

After I got the bad head knock, she reached out to me and made sure to check in to see how I was tracking. It was really lovely to have someone who I wasn’t related to or playing footy with to check in and see how I was. I really value that relationship and she’s important part of my support network.

As much as we all love playing footy while we’re here, it also is a job and it does bring all the pressures and things like that. Sometimes it is hard to talk to people within the organisation and are a part of that, so having someone who understands that but is also separate from the footy program itself and be able to talk that through with them is priceless. It’s really valuable for all of us footy girls to have and it’s really healthy to keep that balance between footy, work and life.

How have you seen Erin’s personal development, particularly after the difficulties she's faced this year?

KC: Moving interstate like Erin has done is a big deal. Erin was insightful enough to know that developing strong and meaningful social connections with her teammates was going to set her up to enjoy her time in Melbourne. She has certainly developed some close friendships and a social group in Melbourne and I know she enjoys spending her down time with these girls.

I have learned heaps from Erin! Two major points stand out: the first relates to life as a professional athlete. Erin has been very reflective about the expectations she places on herself and her on-field performance as well as those expectations held by others, the highs and lows they experience and the value of an inclusive and connected team. 

The second point relates to Erin sharing her lived experience in relation to her concussions and mental health and her perspective on how the Danny Frawley Centre can support other athletes and community members in this regard. It takes openness, courage and a deep care for others to share the way Erin has with me. 

What qualities do you see in Erin that make her special?

KC: Straight after my first catch up with Erin I sent a message to our AFLW Player Development Manager saying “Wow, isn’t Erin an amazing person!”. It was immediately clear that Erin brings an open mind, wants to contribute and wants to learn.  She is very humble about her footy success and also very genuine in how she wants to give back to younger girls through sport.

I asked Erin if she would be open to speaking to a group of our Saints Next Generation Academy girls at one of their evening sessions and she did not hesitate to give her time and generously share her experiences with the younger generation. She went to great effort to engage the girls and ensure it was a meaningful session for them. Erin and many of our other female athletes stand out as being great representatives of our club and of female sport in general.  

Erin is highly intelligent and genuinely caring. I would highlight her openness to talking and sharing thoughts and experiences as a stand-out trait.  That’s certainly going to allow her to set herself up for a successful career and one that she loves.