When Adelaide midfielder Rachelle Martin runs onto the field for her 50th AFLW match this weekend, she will be dedicating the game to four special people.

Martin, who will notch the milestone in Adelaide’s clash against Essendon, credited her Mum, Lhot, Dad, Steve, brother Jerome, and sister Hannah, for helping her become the person and player she is today.

Speaking to the media on Monday, the 25-year-old said reaching her 50th game would not have been possible without her tight-knit family’s support.

“I’ll be dedicating the game to my family, I’m very thankful for my family, they’ve supported me and come to every game,” Martin said.

“My mum doesn’t know that much about football but her just being there with my dad and supporting is huge.

“My brother has also had a big impact because he’s the one that got us into footy in the first place.

“Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am, so I'm very thankful… Footy has kind of brought us closer together, it will be good to dedicate the game to them and hopefully celebrate a win with them.”

Martin, who grew up on the Yorke Peninsula, had an unconventional start to her AFLW career.

She made her debut in Round One, 2020, as an injury replacement player, before being awarded a contract at the AFLW Draft later that year.

Martin said her debut was a moment she’ll never forget.

“My first AFLW game was interesting because I wasn’t on the list, so I was just an injury replacement player,” Martin said.

“I just found out the night before and flew over to Brisbane, it was a very interesting journey.

“I grew up in the country but when I moved here, I just wanted to play footy so to be playing at the highest level is really cool.”

Martin played the first few seasons alongside her sister, Hannah, and the pair shared a special memory when they helped the Crows win a historic third Premiership in Season Six (2022).

Despite not being part of the Crows side this season, Hannah is still around the Club and helps out as a development coach, allowing the pair to continue to create memories at West Lakes.

“Not everyone gets a chance to play with their sibling, so I’m very thankful for that,” Martin said.

“We help each other a lot on the field, and she always comes to games as well, which helps a lot.”

Adelaide enters its Round Four game against Essendon with an unblemished record, and Martin is hoping the side will be able to continue that momentum as it eyes another finals berth.

“There are a lot of good teams this season, it is good to get early wins, but I think we are still building,” Martin said.

“I didn’t even think I would get one game for the Crows, so I’m very thankful to have 50, it will just be great to have it at home and hopefully celebrating with everyone.”

The Crows take on the Bombers at Unley Oval on Sunday at 12.35pm.

Tickets available here.