O'Dea grew up in Springton, South Australia. In Year 12 she studied chemistry the University of Adelaide, travelling in from her town, and started playing football there.[1] She played a key role, helping the university reach the SAWFL Grand Final.[2] As well as football, she is accomplished at unicycling,[3] holding the World Record in Unicycling for "Platform Long Jump"[4] and the Australian women's record for "Platform High Jump".[5][2][6]
O'Dea was drafted by Greater Western Sydney with pick 71.[2][9][10] At the end of the season she was delisted after not making an appearance for the club.[11][12] After her delisting she was selected for Greater Western Sydney's inaugural VFL Women's squad, together with five more recently delisted players, so as to strengthen their chances to be re-drafted.[13] This squad played only invitational games not counted for points or ladder position during teams' bye rounds.[14]
Collingwood
The following season O'Dea was drafted by Collingwood with pick 89, re-joining coach Symonds who was her coach when she played at Norwood.[8] She made her debut in round 2, 2020, in a match at Ikon Park against Carlton.[7][15] In May 2022, she left Collingwood to return to her home state, South Australia.[16]
Port Adelaide
O'Dea signed for Port Adelaide as one of the team's expansion signings ahead of their inaugural season in 2022 season 7.[17]
Statistics
Statistics are correct to the end of the 2022 (S6) season.[18]
^Arnold, Caitlin (7 May 2019). "GIANTS announce inaugural VFLW squad". AFL NSW/ACT. Due to AFLW rules requiring squads to be reduced to 22 players ahead of this year's NAB AFLW Draft, recently delisted Delma Gisu, Tait Mackrill, Ebony O'Dea, Britt Perry, Renee Tomkins and Lisa Whiteley will play to strengthen their chances of being re-drafted.