Davidson was born in Ipswich, Queensland to a family of Indigenous Australian descent (Gunditjmara).[2] Dakota attended Ipswich Girls' Grammar School throughout her upbringing.[3] She began playing Australian rules at the age of 18 encouraged by her father who was familiar with the sport having moved from western Victoria at a young age. The club Dakota first played for was University of Queensland in the AFL Queensland Women's League. After 3 season in the league Dakota was identified as a talented forward/ruck by the Brisbane Lions having kicked 11 goals in 11 games and was selected to play in 2 games in the AFL Queensland QW Winter Series in the run up to the national draft.[4]