AFL President Sonya Hood’s workload in North Melbourne nearly cost her everything in the fight against cancer

North Melbourne boss Sonya Hood reveals how her intense AFL workload nearly made her make a fatal mistake as she battled aggressive breast cancer

  • AFL President Reveals Shocking Cancer Battle
  • Sonya Hood has postponed the screening due to work pressure
  • Hood is now cancer free and recovering

North Melbourne President Sonja Hood has spoken openly about her shock battle with breast cancer, revealing that her intense workload led her to make a near-fatal mistake.

Hood returns this week to watch her kangaroos play after a whirlwind few months of a cancer diagnosis and major surgery.

“I felt fine and then all of a sudden I had something that could kill me,” Hood recalled Channel 7.

“We know it was aggressive … it came out of nowhere and it had come pretty quickly.”

But it was almost too late for Hood, who had put off a mammogram because of her hectic work schedule.

North Melbourne President Sonja Hood has spoken openly about her shock battle with breast cancer and how her intense workload almost led her to make a fatal mistake

Hood returns this week to watch her kangaroos play after a whirlwind few months that saw a cancer diagnosis and major surgery

Hood returns this week to watch her kangaroos play after a whirlwind few months that saw a cancer diagnosis and major surgery

“I just hadn’t really had time, my job and anyone who follows footy knows how busy North was last year,” she said.

There was indeed a lot going on in North Melbourne in 2022 with Alastair Clarkson at the center of accusations of bombshell racism from his time at Hawthorn when he came on board as the Kangaroos’ new coach.

“Like many busy people, the things that take a back seat in your life are the things that you don’t think are important,” she said.

“And we all think screening tests aren’t that important.

“By 2020 I can now say to everyone afterwards that they are really important.”

Hood was treated and then underwent major eight-hour surgery, which included a mastectomy and tissue reconstruction.

She is now cancer free and still recovering from the ordeal.

“That all had a pretty big impact on my physical state, probably my mental state too if I’m being honest,” Hood said.

North had a lot going on in 2022 with Alastair Clarkson (pictured with Hood) at the center of racism allegations when he signed on to coach the side

North had a lot going on in 2022 with Alastair Clarkson (pictured with Hood) at the center of racism allegations when he signed on to coach the side

Hood was treated and then underwent major eight-hour surgery, which included a mastectomy and tissue reconstruction

Hood was treated and then underwent major eight-hour surgery, which included a mastectomy and tissue reconstruction

“It’s a great way to learn.”

Hood will see North Melbourne take on Carlton in their Good Friday showdown at Marvel Stadium.