Reigning AFLW and Crows Best and Fairest Erin Phillips knows that being the defending premiers means nothing going into the 2018 season.

Speaking ahead of the Crows’ pre-season camp in Darwin, Phillips said 2018 is a new year.

“We’ve got to understand we are the premiers of 2017, not 2018.  It’s a new year, and to win a flag is hard, but to stay at the top of the mountain is even harder,” she said. 

“We have girls in this team that are mature and focused enough to understand that, it’s even keel now, it’s 0-0.

“We are going to get every team’s best game now, we know that because everyone wants to beat the reigning premiers.” 

The team’s Adelaide-based contingent will depart for the Northern Territory on Friday morning for three days of education, leadership and physical training sessions.

Included in the camp is an AFLW trial match against Fremantle at TIO Stadium on Saturday night, starting at 7.30pm (local time).

Fans wanting to watch the trial can do so here.

Phillips said the group was looking forward to being back together for the camp.

“We are really excited to head up to Darwin this week, everyone has  already been talking about what they are packing,” Phillips said.

“The girls look really good, we’ve been working our butts off and Bec’s got us in fantastic shape.

“All we can do now is keep working, it will be a great hit out against Freo and all we can do is give it another crack.”

Phillips expects not only the standard of skills to improve in 2018, but also the pace of the game.

“Across the League I’ve seen the standard just lift,” she said. 

“We’re already fitter than we were last season, and I’m sure every other team is too.  It’s exciting. 

“I think with the last touch rule brought in it will be a lot faster, the congestion will be a little bit less and there will be more running. 

There will be free entry to the game on Saturday, at both the Bonson and Ah Mat Gates from 5.30 pm, with the game starting at 7.30pm.

Adelaide's AFLW team is in partnership with the Northern Territory.

The team commences its 2018 season with a home game at Norwood Oval against the Brisbane Lions on Saturday, February 3.