Travelling to the Northern Territory to play against NT Thunder at TIO Stadium today it will be a surreal experience for Essendon’s VFL Women’s side.

Well, for most of the team, that is. For Darwin born Danielle Ponter, it will be a return to the city she calls home.

“It’ll feel really good to play,” the Bombers forward said.

“And it feels really good to go back home. It’s been almost over two months and it’s starting to get a bit cold and you start to miss your family a bit.”

Once she decided to play in the VFL Women’s competition last year, Ponter’s arrival at Essendon was as inevitable as such a thing can be. As the niece of Bomber legend Michael Long, red and black royalty flows in the 18-year old’s veins.

Long’s daughter Michaela was Ponter’s teammate at their local club St Mary’s in Darwin and has journeyed with her to The Hangar.

“Every now and then he has something to say on what I need to improve on and I’m really happy that he does that and takes the time out of his day to notice what I need to do,” Ponter said of her uncle, who played 190 games including two premierships.

A key forward with strong hands and a raking right foot, Ponter has already made her mark at Essendon. With a goal in each of her first two matches, it’s clear that however far she is from home, Danielle Ponter is finding her feet at Essendon.

“Obviously coming from Darwin I was bit nervous,” she said.

“The girls have helped me out a lot by developing me, it’s really helped me perform on the track to get me where I am at the moment.”

Essendon plays NT Thunder at TIO Stadium in round three on Saturday from 4.30pm (AEST). The match will be streamed live HERE.