At the start of Year 12, Ebony Marinoff and her St Michael’s classmates wrote down what they wanted to do after finishing school.

The then 17-year-old didn’t have to think twice - and she still has that piece of paper as a reminder of how far she’s come in the past 10 years.

“I would’ve been 16/17, so when I reflect or when I talk about my journey, I am really lucky because I was kind of at the age the men are when they go ‘I have two years to be the best that I can be to make sure I get drafted’,” Marinoff said.

“I wrote ‘I want to be a part of the 2017 AFL Women’s League’, and I ticked that off.

“That was kind of my mentality.”

Since then, the Crows Co-Captain has done more than just ‘tick off’ that goal.

She is on the cusp of AFLW history when she becomes the equal first player to reach 100 AFLW games on Sunday, having featured in every single game since her debut in Round One, 2017.

The milestone will be another accolade to add to her impressive footballing resume, which includes three premierships, an AFLW Best and Fairest, three Crows Club Champion awards, seven All-Australian selections, a Showdown Medal and an AFLCA AFLW Champion of the Year award.

According to the now 27-year-old, hard work has underpinned everything that she has achieved so far.

“I’ve always been really competitive and naturally when I do reflect back, I know I was always just a competitor, I always wanted to win, and hated losing,” Marinoff said.

“I hate losing. I remember Sally Riley (former Crows teammate) always used to say that she had never met anyone more driven than me.

“I am just a competitor, and the way that I prepare week-in, week-out holds me in good stead, and I think it goes to show that when you put the work in and you have a really good routine and balance to be successful.”

Marinoff had always loved Aussie Rules in her childhood and followed her brother to Lockley’s Football Club where she featured with the boys’ under-12 team.

As she got older and there were no girls’ teams, Marinoff turned her attention to surf lifesaving.

She then combined that with footy in her later teenage years, playing for Morphettville Park women’s team.

But footy always had her heart and when whispers began about a national women’s league starting, Marinoff was all in.

“I think the exhibition series in 2014 and 2015 - Courtney Cramey played in that - I was at Morphies then and I was like ‘oh my goodness, there’s two AFL teams and women are getting drafted to it,” Marinoff said.

“That was when I realised that this was going to be something.

“I’ll never forget when we got the licence in Adelaide and when you hear all the stories about the Board, Linda Fellows, David Noble, Andrew Fagan - they just had a real passion to ensure that we got the licence.

“It’s evolved so much and I’ve been here to see it first hand.”

Across the past 10 seasons, Marinoff has had plenty of momentous memories but there’s one moment that sticks out as her favourite.

“When we won the three Premierships, each team was so different, so they all have unique stories,” Marinoff said.

“I think in terms of being a female and coming through the women’s pathway, I can’t go past the 2019 Grand Final when we packed out Adelaide Oval.

“That was such a pivotal moment for women’s sport, and to be able to be there, playing the game, and winning our second Premiership, I don’t think that day could ever be passed.”

Marinoff’s milestone will also be a celebration for the Adelaide Football Club, as it will mark the Crows’ 100th AFLW game.

“To think that it’s the 100th game for the Club as well is pretty crazy. I always remind the younger girls just how privileged we are to play the game at this great footy Club,” Marinoff said.

“It’s been a transformation in terms of the women’s game and the little girls running around, which has been super cool to see.

“I feel like AFLW paved the way for that. The best part about it is that for the OG’s (originals) of this footy club - we’ve been here since day dot, so we have an appreciation and an understanding of how far the AFLW has come.”

Although the significance of the milestone is not lost on the midfielder, she said her focus was on helping the Crows beat Sydney to ensure they remained cemented in the top four.

“If you know me, I’m pretty focused on the game… We just need to be striving to be our best,” Marinoff said.

“As much as this week is going to be amazing, and I will soak it up, Sydney is such an impressive outfit.

“We played them in a scrimmage earlier this year and they were outstanding, so I know there’s a few girls who are really looking forward to this game and get the four points. At our best, we can beat anyone.”

Adelaide faces Sydney at Unley Oval on Sunday at 2.35pm.

Be there and bring a friend for free, using the codeword AFLW20252FOR1 when you buy tickets here.