Living life on the fringe of selection isn’t how Adelaide AFLW utility Brooke Tonon imagined her career.

But that’s how her first three campaigns with the Crows went, playing three games in 2022 (Season Six), then seven in both Season Seven and Eight.

This season, however, Tonon was determined to change the trajectory of her footballing path.

The 21-year-old got to work improving her game, and was rewarded in 2024, only missing two games, due to an ankle injury.

“I was a bit of a fringe player last season, I would play a bit and then get dropped, so the main goal was to become more consistent, which I did this season,” Tonon told AFC media.

“Becoming more confident on-field has been a big one for me. Obviously you’re always worrying about selection but to string a few games together helped me become more confident in the role I was playing.

“The things I wanted to work on were my strength and becoming more physical. I worked hard on that and also my kicking to make myself a better all-rounded player.

“Obviously I’m not a finished product but I think I’ve been able to improve and I think that helped me this year to stand up against bigger bodies.”

Tonon was selected with Pick No.20 at the 2021 AFLW Draft after enjoying a breakout season with Glenelg, which included winning the SANFLW flag.

Despite featuring predominantly as a defender with Glenelg, Tonon’s career at the Crows began as a forward.

She switched back into defence during the 2024 season but also spent some time on the wing and inside-50 when called upon by Senior Coach Matthew Clarke.

“I played a bit everywhere this season and I was able to have a bit more clarity around those roles and do a bit better in each one,” Tonon said.

“It was good to give Doc (Clarke) that versatility, if he wanted to make some changes throughout the game.

“I enjoyed the adjustment to being back in defence. It’s a bit different to SANFL, though, you have to be a lot more accountable due to the scoring power and strength of the AFLW forwards.

“The way I played in defense also changed a bit, I wasn’t just a loose half-back, and it was good to learn different parts of that role and get better in that space.”

Having won a SANFLW Premiership and been in her debut year when the Crows claimed the Season Six flag, Tonon is as keen as ever to taste more success.

After going down in a third-straight AFLW Preliminary Final, Tonon said the side was eager to find a way to improve.

“We acknowledge the disappointment and what we can do better but it’s about using that to learn and leaning on each other,” Tonon said.

“After seeing the success of the group in Season Six (2022) and to be a part of that even though I didn’t play was incredible.

“Coming from a SANFLW Premiership in my draft year as well, I had that taste of success, so getting so close this year and being in the team, makes me incredibly driven to reach that at an AFLW level.

“I am absolutely driven to do whatever I can to be the best teammate and to put my best foot forward for next season.”