Versatile Adelaide ruck Caitlin Gould says she has relished an opportunity to spend more time in the forward line during the AFLW’s Season Seven.

The former volleyballer and Crows Premiership player has taken her game to new heights this campaign, averaging 18 hit-outs and booting four goals across seven games.

Speaking ahead of Adelaide’s Round Eight clash with top-placed Brisbane on Friday, Gould credited her strong form to her partnership with fellow ruck Montana McKinnon.

She said a two-ruck combination had allowed her to work on her forward craft.

“The versatility of going forward as well as playing in the ruck has been really good for me,” Gould said.

“Having Montana in the ruck with me allows me to go forward and she does really good defensive work down back, so it works really well between us.

“I love working alongside Montana and we have a lot of fun together.”

“The versatility of going forward as well as playing in the ruck has been really good for me.

The ruck duo combined for 38 hit-outs at the weekend, proving central to the Crows’ come-back win against Fremantle on Saturday at Unley Oval.

The Crows trailed by nine points at three-quarter time and Gould said her side’s slow start was turned around by strong words from Coach Matthew Clarke.

“I think towards the start of the game we didn’t really hit the scoreboard or get the contested ball as we wanted to,” Gould said.

“Doc (Matthew Clarke) told us at three-quarter time that if we wanted to win, it was up to us to do everything we could to make it happen.

“Us as midfielders were told to win that contested ball, and that was where we really got on top.”

The Crows have now turned their attention to their battle with Brisbane in the highly anticipated top-of-the-table clash at Metricon Stadium on Friday night.

Gould said there were plenty of learnings to bring into the match.

“I think close wins are good because it does teach us a lot of lessons and coming up against Brisbane, that’s going to be really important,” Gould said.

“Our last quarters have always been our best but in the lead up to the next game, starting strongly will be really important for us.

“There has always been a rivalry between us, it’s going to be a good, contested battle and we know that they are going to bring that.”

Adelaide takes on Brisbane at Metricon Stadium on Friday night, with the first bounce at 8pm (ACDT).

The team will be selected later on Thursday.