Young defender Zoe Prowse says she is enjoying the time off from footy, following a jam-packed debut year, which included two AFLW seasons.

Entering what will be her third campaign in two years in 2023, Adelaide’s first-round pick from the 2021 draft said the break had made her keen for when footy returns.

“For me I had not really had a break from football for a really long time, so I have really enjoyed being able to have the time off,” Prowse said.

“It’s getting to the point now where it’s starting to feel like I haven’t been playing or training for ages.

“The time off has made me that much more excited to go back with the girls and hopefully we can go one step further this year.”

Prowse said having both seasons in the one year “was an interesting way” to start her AFLW journey.

The 19-year-old first made her debut in Round 10 of Season Six, before playing six games across Season Seven, including three finals.

The highlight of 2022 for Prowse was working her way back into the side from injury at the backend of the year to play finals footy.

“In my first season I was able to find my footing a bit and then I think in the second season I was able to end it on a way that I am excited to see what comes at the start of this year,” Prowse said.

“(Finals) was something that I had obviously never experienced before and being able to do it with people that have won two or three grand finals is just something that not a lot of people can say that they have done.

“I guess because I missed a few games during the second season being able to comeback for the games which were against some of the best footballers in the country set the bar pretty high and gives me an idea of how hard I need to keep pushing to get to their level.”

Hoping to consolidate herself as a defender, Prowse is not putting too much pressure on herself heading into 2023, just hoping to do the best she can while enjoying her footy.

“I am in rehab at the moment as I hurt my Achilles at the end of last season, but I have been keeping up my skills and trying to touch the footy as much as possible,” she said.

“When we get back out there I will be focussed on defending and sticking to that one position and seeing how that goes.

“Obviously winning a premiership would be absolutely amazing but for me personally I just want to play more games throughout the season and be happy doing it.”

The AFL is yet to announce a start date for Season Eight.

The AFLW Sign and Trade period kicks off on Friday.