Three states in one day quickly became two continents in 48 hours as Nikola Orgill joined the mass exodus of Australian footballers in Europe, vowing to come back a better player.
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The Canberra United captain flew back to the capital following their final-round loss to the Brisbane Roar on Monday, but didn't leave the airport because her real destination was Norway.
She's made the move to join Norwegian club Kolbotn for the upcoming Toppserien season, becoming the latest W-League player to ply their trade overseas.
Rising Matildas star Karly Roestbakken is believed to have also signed with a Norwegian club, while Canberra teammate Aoife Colvill cut her season short to link up with Glasgow City last week.
Weekly exposure to a higher standard of competition will only benefit the quality of Australian players, but Orgill hopes it doesn't come at a cost to the W-League.
"I think it's great that it's happening but hopefully not to the detriment of the W-League," Orgill said.
"I'd like to see that competition stay strong and continue to grow.
"It's an option for the players, it's always a positive and a great opportunity for younger girls. Going between the seasons can definitely influence the younger players of the W-League.
"I'm sure if I come back to the W-League next season I'll have grown as a player and developed my game."
The regular season of the Toppserien finishes in August, meaning Orgill could return in time for the W-League.
The 26-year-old lawyer has taken 12 months annual leave without pay to pursue her football dream while leaving her employment options open.
Orgill plans to come back to the W-League next season but admits that could change once she has a taste of European football.
"I was interested in a league that matches up nicely with the W-League and just waited to see what would happen. It's been a dream of mine to play in Europe for quite some time now," Orgill said.
"I've taken annual leave to give me a bit of an option if I want to come back to the W-League again and pick up work after that."
Koltbotn are currently having a training camp in Spain, so Orgill will have a few days to overcome jetlag before meeting her teammates for the first time.
They'll meet Avalsnes in the Toppserien curtain-raiser on March 21 and Orgill could potentially make her Norwegian debut against a friendly face.
United import Elise Thorsnes will turn from teammate to rival when their clubs collide in Oslo.
"Yeah, she won't be scoring," Orgill laughed.
The duo will be eager to put their W-League season behind them after United missed finals for the third straight season.
Canberra finished sixth on the ladder with four wins, seven losses and a draw. They were kept scoreless in five of those losses and also conceded the most goals of any team (29).
"It's disappointing, it wasn't the season any of us hope for or expected," Orgill said.
"You learn from it and there's always things you can take from a season like that, especially for me in my first leadership role. Hopefully I can bring those qualities to my club in Norway.
"I'm just really excited to experience it. I know a little bit about it from some players who have played in Norway previously.
"It's possession-based football from what I've heard and I think the team I'm going to is quite young. It'll be a good experience for me."
Lucie Bertoldo
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
