But even she didn't think playing in an A-League Women grand final would be part of the picture.
On Sunday, Central Coast defender Rowe will do just that, facing former club Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park - right next door to Collingwood HQ.
"When you look at the whole story, you just think to yourself: it couldn't have worked out any better," Rowe told AAP.
"As an athlete, I love being in competition and no matter what, you can't beat competition, whether it's in another sport or not.
"So I was like, how do I best improve and learn a lot and take a lot from this off-season?
"So I just said 'I'd love to go back and play soccer'."
A former Ireland youth international before turning her focus to Gaelic, then AFLW, Rowe previously had a short stint at Victory in 2023.
But keen on trying life outside Melbourne, Rowe was put in touch with Central Coast coach Emily Husband.
"As soon as I talked to her, it just felt right," Rowe said.
"Then it was like a matter of speaking to Collingwood and seeing how we could help the worlds collide."
The Mariners share reports on Rowe's fitness so she can be ready for AFLW pre-season when she returns, while Collingwood give her space to focus on soccer.
That's included transforming from a quick, athletic winger to an aggressive full-back.
It's paid off.
"It couldn't have worked out any better and I couldn't be happier with my decision to make the move to Sydney and to go for this," Rowe said.
That the grand final comes against Victory, and coach Jeff Hopkins, is even more precious.
"When I went back last time, I hadn't played soccer in eight years and Jeff took the chance on me and backed me in and did so much work alongside (former assistant) Caitlin Friend to get me up to scratch," Rowe said.
"Massive respect for Victory and what they've done. Massive respect for Jeff and what he's done.
"But it will be all's fair in love and war on Sunday. There's no friends on Sunday."
Rowe will have her Collingwood teammates, Irish friends and even her dad there on Sunday.
"He's been there the last two weekends," she said.
"He was meant to go home after the Canberra game, and he's like, 'you're ruining my life. You keep winning. You weren't supposed to win.'
"Every week, he's been like, 'I'm staying another week' - so he couldn't miss it.
"I was trying to figure out if I could squeeze in a trip home to Ireland just before the AFLW season. My life has been turned upside down, in the most positive way.
"I've thought I've been moving back to Melbourne about five times over the last couple of weeks - and I'm still in Sydney. So it's been amazing, a rollercoaster of a journey."
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