Laloifi says during past pre-seasons she’s had to play it safe to ensure her recovery was sustainable so this year has been a welcome change.
“This time around I was pretty rapt and was able to get at least four games towards the back end of last year and then was able to push my body in terms of fitness,” she said.
“I was able to use my strength but also push my body into an aerobic capacity fitness wise.”
Laloifi’s move to Victoria's surf coast has allowed her to take the stress out of recovery, letting her train in a way that suits her. She says it was a huge part of her rehabilitation success.
“It was nice to get away from the club and do the training away, that way you just weren't stuck in the four walls as you would be in rehab,” she said.
“You're committed to return to play but it was nice to have some freedom in what type of running I could do, what type of legs I could do and extra stuff that I could do without limitations.”
In her first appearance of the 2026 AFLW season Laloifi will be running out for her 50th game which she says feels like so much more.
“It means 100 games in terms of injuries,” she says.
“To know that the big one is coming up… to hopefully get there especially with the Bulldogs, the club that I fell in love with, it’s probably going to be very special.”
During her stint on the sidelines Laloifi has always kept her eyes on a full return to the competition, adopting unique strategies to keep her on track mentally as well as physically.
“Throughout my time I've learned to do diary entries, so at the end of the day I write a gratitude piece,” she said.
“Finding different ways to support from an off-field perspective, that motivated me to watch more film, give feedback to players that are playing those certain roles.”
“Just tick off little goals, I write it all down and I have a little checklist so that you still feel like you're doing something.”
As a senior player, Laloifi is prepared to take on a crucial role in the Doggies' backline alongside the likes of Rylie Wilcox and Lauren Ahrens. She says her goal is to mentor the younger pups and give her best for the squad.
“My individual success would come down to … getting through games and playing my role in those and trusting the fact that I've done all the work,” she said.
“My success is being able to celebrate wins with my teammates.”
In the lead-up to the Bulldogs' upcoming AFLW campaign, Laloifi was selected as an AFL Cultural Diversity Ambassador ahead of this week’s Cultural Heritage Round.
Laloifi spoke of her enthusiasm to celebrate different cultures in the league and how the increased diversity within the game has changed it for the better.
“Now to see different cultures in the AFL and the AFLW, you get to see the diversity come through and it brings a lot of flavour to the game,” she said.
“I just want to celebrate everyone's cultures, it’s great to see people use their platforms to celebrate their culture.”
Laloifi spoke of her enthusiasm to celebrate different cultures in the league and how the increased diversity within the game has changed it for the better.
“Now to see different cultures in the AFL and the AFLW, you get to see the diversity come through and it brings a lot of flavour to the game,” she said.
“I just want to celebrate everyone's cultures. It’s great to see people use their platforms to celebrate their culture.”
