Adelaide AFLW Co-Captain Ebony Marinoff has revealed how a weekly text exchange between her and an Assistant Coach helped take her game to new heights this season.
Marinoff, who claimed a maiden AFLW League Best and Fairest win on Monday night, said helping her younger teammates improve was a focus, as she navigated her first year as Co-Captain alongside Sarah Allan.
But it was something she did without wanting recognition, and only shared that focus with former teammate, friend and assistant Courtney Cramey.
Speaking to AFC Media on Tuesday, Marinoff said she thrived under the leadership responsibility, with that also making her a better player and person.
“In the first few years I was the baby of the crew, so now nothing makes me smile more than seeing the younger players doing their thing and getting better,” Marinoff said.
“No one really knows this except for CJ (Assistant Coach Courtney Cramey), but my goal at pre-season this year was to make someone better each week.
“I would text CJ who I felt I had made better each week and that was really important to me, to be able to continue to give back when those girls needed it.
“To see them reap the rewards and know I had a little bit of an impact is great but I hope they know they’ve had a big impact on me as well, and I am driven by them being more competitive.”
Marinoff also credited a desire to be the best she possibly could, as well as her competitive nature for her career-best campaign in 2024.
“If I’m going to do something, I’ll do it well, otherwise I won’t do it,” Marinoff said.
“I love to get the best out of myself, I love to work hard, I love seeing improvement and I want to be the best I can be.
“I have always been competitive, it’s always been something I’ve had in me. I’ve not always been the best, but I’d always give it my all and continue to try.
“My true passion is football. That is why I’m probably able to be where I am today because I’m just so passionate about it.”
The 27-year-old midfielder also earned a seventh All-Australian blazer at the W Awards on Monday.
It came off the back of averaging a competition-high 30.4 disposals, 12.4 tackles, 26.4 pressure acts and 6.3 inside 50’s during the minor rounds.
Being crowned the League’s best is just another accolade to add to Marinoff’s football resume.
She is a triple Premiership player (2017, 2019, 2022 Season Six), dual Club Champion (2021, 2023), Showdown Medallist (2024), AFL CA AFLW Champion Player of the Year (2024) and League Rising Star winner (2017).
Despite the individual awards, it’s more team success that Marinoff craves the most, having fallen short of a record fifth Grand Final appearance when the side went down to the Lions in the Preliminary Final last weekend.
“Winning the Best and Fairest is amazing and it’s awesome to be recognised for all the hard work I put in,” Marinoff said.
“I felt so overwhelmed by all the love and support I got shown and I felt there was a genuine want for me to win it, which was such a nice feeling.
“But I actually got asked ‘would you give it back for another Premiership?’ and I said absolutely.
“Nothing will ever compare to winning a Premiership.”
