A seven-hour bus ride through the Norwegian mountains was an unexpected adventure for Nikola Orgill as the former Canberra United captain made the most of her overseas stint.
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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, traveling across the Nordic nation for football matches proved no easy feat for her Toppserien club Kolbotn.
Flights became too expensive and risky, so Kolbotn hit the road instead - a dream scenario for Orgill to still behold the picturesque wilderness amid travel limitations.
"I'd never been to Norway before, so everything was new and really exciting," Orgill said.
"It sounds a bit corny but almost every week was a highlight in itself, just experiencing being in a new city, meeting new people and seeing different things when I was in the starting team."
The 27-year-old defender played 12 matches and scored once in the Norwegian top-flight, with a foot injury hindering the end of her first overseas campaign.
She was Kolbotn's only international player, while LSK Kvinner featured her former co-captain and rising Matildas star Karly Roestbakken.
Orgill continued her leadership duties in Norway and has brought those experiences back to her new W-League club in the Western Sydney Wanderers.
"There was definitely pressure but it was a good pressure as well. It gives you a chance to step into that role, grab it with both hands and run with it," Orgill said.
Kolbotn finished ninth after 18 regular rounds, avoiding relegation with a 6-2 lead on aggregate against Medkila in the play-offs.
Orgill noticed significant changes in tactics across the lengthier season and said players have deep relations with their clubs due to multi-year contracts, with the Wanderer hoping these elements could be brought to the W-League someday.
"I couldn't say strongly enough how much I think that would benefit Australian football to have a year-round program like other countries do, especially with the younger players being at that higher level and getting experience for many more rounds," Orgill said.
"In saying that, there are costs to that. The Australian league is a class above in terms of professionalism and standards of medical, travel and minimum wage.
"The other leagues have chosen to go with a longer competition but don't have the same minimum standards. There's benefits and cons to both."
Orgill will return to Canberra this weekend to meet her former club in a round-six clash at Viking Park.
She signed with Western Sydney, her debut club, after 23 appearances at United, saying "it's a really nice feeling to be back where it all began."
"With coronavirus and everything, it was a highly priority for me to be back with family," Orgill said.
"It's really cool to see how far the club has come in four years, in terms of the women's side and professionalism. There's a new coaching staff and a lot of new players, and still some from when I first started so that's quite cool too."
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Saturday's match will also feature ex-United players Olivia Price and Leena Khamis for Western Sydney, who are searching for their second win of the season.
United sit third of the W-League ladder with two wins and as many draws, with Orgill expecting an interesting battle as Western Sydney look to bounce back from last week's loss to Newcastle.
"This is a really big one for us. We'll be looking to show the league what we can do, and what football we want to play," she said.
"It'll be strange being in Canberra and not putting on the green jersey. It'll also be really great to see the girls I used to play with and some work friends too after the game. I love Canberra, so it'll be nice to be back there and playing."
W-LEAGUE ROUND SIX
Saturday: Canberra United v Western Sydney Wanderers at Viking Park, 5.05pm.
Canberra United team list: 1. Keeley Richards, 2. Emma Ilijoski, 4. Kendall Fletcher (c), 5. Lauren Keir, 6. Bianca Galic, 7. Rachael Goldstein, 8. Laura Hughes, 9. Demi Koulizakis, 10. Grace Maher, 12. Hayley Taylor-Young, 13. Paige Satchell, 14. Jessie Rasschaert, 15. Jessika Nash, 18. Izzy Foletta, 19. Nicki Flannery, 20. Sasha Grove, 23. Michelle Heyman, 29. Chantel Jones. *two to be omitted.
Western Sydney Wanderers team list: 1. Sarah Wallacy, 2. Caitlin Cooper (c), 3. Nikola Orgill, 4. Margaux Chauvet, 5. Courtney Nevin, 6. Olivia Price, 9. Bryleeh Henry, 10. Libby Copus-Brown, 11. Danika Matos, 12. Julie-Ann Russell, 13. Georgia Yeoman-Dale, 14. Aideen Keane, 15. Rosie Galea, 16. Isabel Gomez, 18. Sarah Hunter, 19. Leena Khamis, 20. Courtney Newbon, 25. Teigan Collister. *two to be omitted.
Lucie Bertoldo
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
