ELISE O’Dea is a confirmed starter for Carlton’s inaugural 10-kilometre Run for Respect on Sunday. But don’t expect the Blues’ former AFLW player to take line honours - a couple of busted ribs have seen to that.
“I had every intention of running the 10km, but I came off my bike last Tuesday week and broke two ribs,” O’Dea said.
“I hit a lip in the road near roadworks on Miller Street in Thornbury, then wobbled and fell on my right side. I was going pretty quickly.
“I copped broken ribs about 15 years ago and it’s pretty painful.”
That said, O’Dea reckons she’ll be good a kilometre walk or two, her interest in the event having been piqued for two chief reasons.
“Firstly it such a great cause and secondly I’m a big fan of (Carlton Vice-President) Patty Kinnersly – and this is her baby,” O’Dea said.
An incredible show of community support for an important cause 💙🧡
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) January 28, 2025
Over 1,000 participants will lace up their running shoes in this Sunday's sold-out inaugural Run for Respect.
Following a distinguished state level career that included five premierships with the Darebin Falcons, O’Dea joined Melbourne for the inaugural 2017 AFLW season, forming a key part of the Demons’ formative years in the competition.
A childhood Melbourne supporter and a fan of David Neitz, O’Dea competed in 28 senior matches for the fledgling outfit before crossing town to IKON Park on the cusp of the 2021 season. Such were her leadership credentials that by season 2022 she was elevated to the position of co-vice captain with Darcy Vescio.
By the time she called time on her playing career in 2023, O’Dea had similarly represented Carlton in 28 senior appearances – and I is to Carlton’s enormous benefit that the junior partner in a Fitzroy accountancy firm has now seen fit to support the Spirit of Carlton as a much-valued committeeperson.
“It’s fair to say I had more of a bond with Carlton, and maybe I connected better with the Club because it was later in my career,” O’Dea said.
“When I finished my playing career I got a phone call from ‘Shaneo’ (Shane O’Sullivan). He wanted people like me to stay connected with the club, and being a female footballer I thought I could bring more of a balance.
“Football is such a huge part of your life and identity and when you’re out it’s important to reconnect. I’ve since sat in on a couple of (SoC) meetings and they’ve been terrific – a half an hour of reminiscing and a little more of business.”
The Run for Respect is the inaugural fun run supporting the awareness and fundraising efforts of the Carlton Football Club's flagship community initiative Carlton Respects.
The event will cater for all ages and abilities, with a three-kilometre walk or run, five-kilometre run and 10-kilometre run: with tickets currently sold out for the 2025 Run for Respect, you can register your interest here in the event of further tickets becoming available or ahead of the 2026 Run for Respect event.
