Adelaide young gun Kiera Mueller says she is heading into the 2023 campaign with a newfound confidence, following her debut in Season Seven.

The crafty defender impressed in her first season, playing all five games since making her debut in Round Nine, including the side’s preliminary final loss to Brisbane.

Speaking to AFC Media, Mueller said that with more game time under her belt, she felt well-placed for the season ahead. 

“I feel more mentally and physically prepared and definitely a lot more confident,” Mueller said.

“I was very nervous in the first season but it's great to feel a bit more comfortable now.

“To be able to have the opportunity to get games towards the back half of the season was a great experience."

Mueller credited the support she received from senior players in the Crows’ defensive unit for her progress so far.

“Being in the backline, MJ (Marijana Rajcic) was a massive help, with all her experience and leadership,” Mueller said.

“Sarah (Allan) and Najwa (Allen) were really key for getting my confidence up and teaching me so many new things throughout the year.

“Obviously Chelsea (Randall) being the great captain she is, when I wasn’t getting games at the start of the year, she was still always there for me and always around, trying to make everyone feel included.”

The 20-year-old said she had used the off-season to improve the technical elements of her game and returned to her SANFL club Sturt earlier this year to maintain her game fitness. 

“I went back and played SANFLW, which was a good way to get back into it, so I trained out there for a couple of months, '' Mueller said. 

“I’ve been really honing in on my kicking, so making it more accurate and long.

“Coming out of the backline it is pretty important to be able to hit those kicks and take ground if needed, so that has been my main focus.”

The young defender said she was counting down the days until the start of the AFLW season and was not putting a ceiling on what the side could achieve this campaign. 

“I just want to play games, I just want to play footy,” said Mueller.

“You do pre-season for so long and then it's so much fun to be able to go out there and start playing games with everyone.

“As a team, I would love to win a flag, it would be great to make it all the way this year.”

The 2023 AFLW Season kicks off in the first weekend of September, with the full fixture set to be released soon.

Crows 2023 AFLW Memberships available here.