A month before their planned departure, Matt suffered a brain seizure on the football field.

It meant they had to quickly change their plans as they both came to grips with what they were about to face.

Within 24 hours he was diagnosed and then awaited brain surgery three weeks later.

"It was an extremely challenging period for us because you never expect that sort of thing to happen,” said Rhali.

Matt is now in the clear, giving the Newcastle Jet a chance to live out her dream.

Rhali and several Western Sydney Wanderers W-League counterparts will conduct a four-week coaching trip of Europe, where the life-long Liverpool fan will have the opportunity to visit Anfield.

“I’ve watched plenty of Liverpool games in the past and climbed under the coffee table when we almost won the premiership the other year,” she laughed.

“We’re going to my favourite stadium and I think we should be able to watch my favourite team as well.”

They two had planned to backpack for two months before the setback. when he suffered a brain seizure on the football field in July.

They were due to leave in August.

But it could have been so much worse, as Matt used to drive trucks for work.

“I could have been behind the wheel with 12-15 tonne, have the seizure then and it could have affected someone else’s life as well.  

“Thankfully it’s only affected mine.”

Rhali now sees her European vacation as a chance to dip her toes in the overseas world and see what she would like to re-visit.

“It’s a bit of a take-two you could say,” she said.

“Now we’re six months done and dusted and the specialists have put Matt in the clear zone, where he’ll have a check up every two years.

“We’re fortunate with our situation considering what other people face.”

Rhali is proud of her Wauchope roots. She began playing football for her local team at the age of five.

Her hometown and local club remains one of her greatest supporters.

“The ongoing support from Wauchope is very special to me and on the tough days and games it keeps me going.”

“They have backed me from the get-go,” explained Rhali.

When Rhali isn’t playing football, or training for the Jets she is working in her chosen field as an occupational therapist. 

However, when Rhali does have a spare five minutes in her very busy schedule, she enjoys a bit of down time, which includes reading books and spending quality time with Matt.