Adelaide AFLW dual Premiership defender Marijana Rajcic has opened up about the mental battles she has overcome so far this season.
Rajcic played a crucial role in the Crows’ Season Six campaign, lining up in every game, including the Grand Final win against Melbourne.
But Season Seven has not been all smooth sailing for the former soccer player.
Rajcic was omitted in Round three and spent two weeks out of the side, before earning a recall ahead of the inaugural Showdown.
Speaking to the media after the Crows’ Round Seven win against Fremantle, Rajcic revealed how a sports psychologist had helped her get back into form.
“I think when you start making one mistake, you make another, you get down on yourself and you beat yourself up,” Rajcic said.
“The first two games I was playing with less confidence, I had a bit of self-doubt creep in, which happens.
“I went and spoke to a sports psychologist and just mentally I wanted to get myself in the right mindset.”
Since returning to the side, Rajcic said she was enjoying being back in the Crows’ backline.
“It was a really good reset for my mindset and to figure out how can I get better, how can I get myself back in the team and went to work,” Rajcic said.
“I’ve been enjoying every moment now that I’m back and hopefully I can stay there.”
The medium defender, who has featured in 47 games since debuting in 2018, said self-belief was pivotal in the Adelaide’s come-from-behind win against the Dockers on Saturday at Unley Oval.
“We knew we hadn’t played our best footy up until that point, but we were putting up the fight,” Rajcic said.
“Fremantle was unbelievable that day, they came in and they were ready to go.
“Having that belief in our team and as an individual in that situation so that you can get yourself out of it, puts us in good stead going into finals and coming towards the back end of the season.”
Adelaide will battle Brisbane in a top-of-the-table at Metricon Stadium on Friday night and Rajcic said she was looking forward to the match.
“It’s a huge game, Brisbane to me have been the standout of the competition this season, so hopefully we can match it against the best this season,” Rajcic said.
“We know it’s going to be a fight and it’s anyone’s game on Friday.”
