It’s the 36-year-old’s sixth season lining up for the Crows, but Erin Phillips feels more ready than ever to tackle the game.
The two-time AFLW Best and Fairest and dual premiership player faced a tough end to 2021, with a knee injury requiring minor surgery.
But Phillips felt like preseason 2022 had been her best yet.
“Honestly, every season I’ve played like it could be my last, given age and some injuries I’ve had in the past,” Phillips said.
“But I’ve had a great preseason, I’m really, really happy with how it’s gone. I feel fantastic.
“It’s nice to be able to come into Round One feeling 100 per cent ready to go.”
Luck, determination and hard work have proven the “secret” to the 36-year-old star’s consistent form over the past six years - as well as a little advice from an AFL legend.
“I think it’s a balance of getting your training loads right… I’m very disciplined in my diet and how I manage my body,” Phillips said.
“Now, being 36, I’m not trying to go out there and break records like these younger kids are, I’m just trying to manage to get my body where it needs to be in order to play AFL football.
“It’s a lot of asking for advice - Shaun Burgoyne, my brother-in-law, has given me a lot of advice in managing his body. If anyone has done it perfectly, he’s the guy to look up to.”
With a career filled with premiership highs, injury lows and COVID-19 challenges, Phillips said one thing had never wavered in her AFLW journey: the passion.
“Passion is what drives me still, at the age of 36… if I wasn’t in love with the sport I wouldn’t be playing it, that’s for sure,” she said.
“There are so many exciting young kids (in the team) now and what’s driving me is playing in front of them. That was my dad’s journey in his career and that’s what I want to be… being somebody who a young kid looks up to and hopefully aspires to be.”
While the veteran hopes to play on in 2023, she’s just excited to see how far the league has come and where it’s headed next.
“I’ve been there since the beginning. Chelsea (Randall) and a lot of us girls talk about how good (the competition) is getting… it’s really exciting,” she said.
“I’m really excited just to be in year six and still be lacing (the boots) up and getting back out there with this team… it’s been an amazing ride and hopefully we can continue to have the success we’ve had.”
The Crows will take on Brisbane in a grand final rematch on Sunday, January 9, at Flinders University Stadium with first bounce at 1.40pm.
