For Christina Leuzzi, running out onto Norwood Oval for her AFLW debut game against West Coast last Saturday, felt like a dream come true.

“When I ran out through the race for the first time, and seeing my family there in the guard of honour, I was incredibly happy and emotional,” the 22-year-old defender said.

“It all felt pretty surreal.

“I grew up watching and supporting the Crows girls, and now that I'm playing with them, it is just amazing, and I'm so grateful.”

Leuzzi joined the Crows in June as an injury replacement player on the back of outstanding form in the SANFLW with Woodville-West Torrens, where she averaged 23 touches, seven clearances and seven tackles.

She has also spent the past two seasons training with the Club as a train-on player.

Leuzzi said close to 50 family and friends were in the crowd to cheer her on as she made her AFLW debut – with the cohort setting off a loud cheer in the first quarter when she had her first touch.

“I think my first touch was just a little handball out to space, but to be honest I don’t really remember much because I was just on cloud nine.”

She finished her first game with six disposals, two marks and a tackle.

But Leuzzi said the pressure the entire team put on West Coast to ensure they bounced back after their loss to Richmond the week before was the most pleasing part of the day.

And to get the win in her first game – and being sprayed with energy drinks by her excited teammates in celebration – was something she’ll always remember.

“To play for the Crows has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl, so I'm so happy,” she said.

“Now that I’ve ticked off my first game, my next goal is to just get better and adjust to the speed of the game and bring more pressure defensively.”