AFLW Player Has Top Surgery

Topic: AFL Women’s

Hawthorn star Tilly Lucas-Rodd had top surgery.

Tilly Lucas-Rodd had top surgery over the off-season.

Lucas-Rodd said, 'People often ask me, How do I feel now?'

Many people have big emotions after the operation.

Lucas-Rodd said, 'This is how I've always looked to myself.'

Lucas-Rodd had nipple grafts after the surgery.

Tilly used to wear tight binders to play footy.

Before surgery, Lucas-Rodd wore a tight binder or taped their chest.

The binder made it hard to breathe and hurt their back.

Lucas-Rodd felt uncomfortable on the field before the surgery.

Lucas-Rodd wore a big guernsey to hide their body.

Last year, Lucas-Rodd wore a medium or large guernsey.

Lucas-Rodd had discomfort and dysphoria before the surgery.

Tilly had support through their top surgery.

Now, Lucas-Rodd is happy about playing this season.

Lucas-Rodd feels free without a sports bra or binder.

Lucas-Rodd is happy to wear their training guernsey.

'What am I scared of?'

Lucas-Rodd is the first current AFLW player to have top surgery.

Former players El Chaston and Tori Groves-Little had the procedure.

Two years ago, Lucas-Rodd came out as non-binary.

Tilly is nervous about the wider AFL community's reaction.

Lucas-Rodd said, 'I don't identify strongly as female.'

Lucas-Rodd said, 'I'm in between female and male, so non-binary feels right.'

Some non-binary people use trans rhetoric, which Lucas-Rodd is exploring.

Lucas-Rodd said, 'I'm non-binary, but there's transmasc.'

Lucas-Rodd is still exploring their identity.

Other players' surgery journeys helped Lucas-Rodd.

Tilly messaged El Chaston for advice on recovery.

Tilly Lucas-Rodd as a kid with their father.

A friend asked Lucas-Rodd, 'Why wouldn't you come out publicly?'

Lucas-Rodd thought, 'What am I scared of?'

Lucas-Rodd saw other players come out and thought, 'Why can't I?'

Many people in Lucas-Rodd's life don't know about the surgery yet.

Lucas-Rodd finds it hard to bring up the topic with others.

The Hawks' playing group and staff found out at preseason camp.

Lucas-Rodd didn't have to wear anything on top at camp.

Lucas-Rodd told the team about the surgery before camp.

The team was amazing and supportive.

Tilly's teammates met them with love after the surgery.

Comments can be hard to read.

Lucas-Rodd is nervous about the wider AFL community's reaction.

Lucas-Rodd said, 'It's nerve-racking.'

Lucas-Rodd had bad comments when they spoke out on queer issues.

The comments were from the broader Australian community.

Lucas-Rodd is prepared for bad comments this time.

Lucas-Rodd has supportive people who will help them.

Tilly wants to share their story to help others.

Lucas-Rodd wants to show that there's a place for gender diverse people in sport.

Lucas-Rodd said, 'You belong in sport, no matter your gender.'

Tilly says there's joy and relief after the surgery.

The main emotion for Lucas-Rodd is joy.

Lucas-Rodd said, 'If I see myself shirtless, I'm like, This rocks.'

Being on the other side of the surgery is a huge relief.

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