Adelaide utility Stevie-Lee Thompson was celebrating being part of a historic third AFLW Premiership just four months ago.
Now, Thompson and her teammates are preparing for another campaign, or two in 2022, with season seven kicking off in just 17 days.
Despite having less than six months to prepare for another gruelling season, Thompson said she was looking forward to the challenge.
The three-time Premiership player, who notched her 50th game milestone in season six’s Preliminary Final win against Fremantle, said claiming the flag only made the side hungrier for more success.
“It’s pretty hectic having two seasons in one year but the challenge is on and the girls and I are up for that challenge,” Thompson said.
“Being able to be part of it (another season) and hopefully go back-to-back is pretty exciting.
“It doesn’t matter if you won, lost or drew last year, it still brings the hunger to win the following season.”
Thompson conceded the Crows would be hunted by opposition teams this coming campaign, but it was not a new tag to carry, following the side’s Grand Final wins in 2017 and 2019.
“Every team will be tough to beat,” Thompson said.
“It doesn’t matter who we play, they’ll all have the hunger to beat us and that’s our challenge.”
Thompson, who will feature in an unchanged leadership group under the guidance of three-time Premiership Skipper Chelsea Randall, said it was an honour to be voted in by her teammates again
“I love that the girls see me as a leader and being able to help support Chelsea and Sarah (Allan) throughout the season shows how far I’ve come,” Thompson, 30, said.
“I think I’ve definitely stepped it up a notch and being able to be in the leadership space is amazing.”
Adelaide takes on North Melbourne in a pre-season trial match at Norwood Oval this Saturday, with the first bounce at 10am and the game to be live streamed on afc.com.au.
Players will then head to Adelaide Oval for an official launch of season seven, before the Club’s AFL side take on the Kangaroos at 1.40pm.
The Crows’ AFLW Premiership defence then kicks off with a Grand Final rematch against Melbourne at Norwood Oval on Friday, August 26.
“I’m excited to get on the footy field and put that tri coloured guernsey on again,” Thompson said,
“The Club and the girls can’t wait, so hopefully all our Members and fans will get down and watch us take on Melbourne, it’s going to be an exciting game.”
Season Seven memberships are available now: https://weflyas.one/3mwCrAl
