Two-time Adelaide premiership winger Eloise Jones says the significance of notching 50 games extends beyond a personal achievement.
Jones will hit the milestone when she takes to the field for the Crows’ Round 10 clash against St Kilda on Saturday.
The 23-year-old said it would not only be a special moment for her and her family, but also for youngsters who looked up to AFLW players.
“I think if you told 12-year-old me that I’d be playing 50 games for the Adelaide Football Club, I probably wouldn’t have believed you,” Jones said.
“In all honesty, it’s really big for past me.
“When I was growing up, there was nowhere really to play, there was no real opportunity for female athletes to play.
“I thought I’d have to leave the sport I loved but to have two Premiership medals and reach 50 games is phenomenal for me.”
Jones was selected with pick No.24 at the 2017 draft.
She impressed in her first season, playing every game and earning a Rising Star nomination in Round Five, before winning her first AFLW premiership in 2019.
“People say 23 is relatively young but I think when I think about this team I seem to be one of the older ones here now, which is definitely a strange feeling,” Jones, who is part of the leadership group, said.
“When I came in I was a kid and everyone else was a lot older than what I was.
“But now we’ve got so many young girls who have come through and they’re absolutely fantastic.
“I love being part of the leadership group and I love being part of this Club.”
The Crows take on the Saints at RSEA Park, in the last minor round before the finals series kicks off.
The final team will be announced on Friday at 5pm, before the match on Saturday at 2.40pm (ACDT).
“We’d love to have another win in the minor round and I think that sets us up really well for finals,” Jones said.
“The next couple of weeks are really important for everyone in finals and we’d like to start that off with a win.
“We know St Kilda is a fantastic team and we won’t take that lightly.”