Crows three-time AFLW premiership star Anne Hatchard can still remember looking up to dual sports great Erin Phillips, and being in awe of her achievements.

Little did Hatchard know that one day she would become the very role model young players look up to, inspiring them to follow in her footsteps on the football field.

Hatchard, who will notch her 100th AFLW game this weekend, says the upcoming milestone has made her reflect on her journey from a young fan to one of the game’s leading figures.

“To think I started as this kid who was terrible at kicking a footy, and just idolising Erin (Phillips)… to be able to reach this milestone means the world to me,” Hatchard said.

“I had always wished I played basketball with her and next minute I’m here playing footy with her. It’s been incredible this whole journey and I still pinch myself. 

“I have so much pride in that. I guess I still pinch myself at the fact that I am a role model to these young kids.

“I just love being able to inspire those young kids. I had those role models like Erin when I was growing up, so for me to now be one of those role models for these young girls means so much to me.”

Hatchard has built a fine football resume across her 99 games to date, featuring in the Crows’ 2017, 2019 and Season Six (2022) flag wins, and taking out the best-a-field medal in the latter Grand Final triumph.

She is a four-time All-Australian, making the team in 2019, 2020, 2022 (Season Six), 2023, and a triple Crows Club Champion, having claimed the highest individual award in 2020, Season Six (2022), and Season Seven (2023).

Her career, however, hasn’t always been an easy ride.

In 2018, she found herself in and out of the team, unable to cement her spot.

But she returned for pre-season in 2019 fitter than she had ever been and ready to grab the opportunity she had in front of her.

“When I first started I was lucky to get 50 per cent game time,” Hatchard said.

“Then in 2019 I got a bit fitter and was lucky enough to start playing some footy in the midfield.

“From there I’ve just wanted to keep building and building.”

Part of the midfielder’s evolution across the past 10 seasons has also been her game-day braids.

The hairstyle has become a staple of Hatchard’s routine, and her wife, Georgie, is charged with the hour-long task.

“There’s kids rocking up to games saying ‘I’ve got my Hatchy braids in’, and it honestly melts my heart,” Hatchard said.

“It’s become a bit of a hassle for (Georgie) because she’s now pregnant and she is struggling to bend over to do my hair and her back is aching.

“But she committed to it and I can’t go a game without braiding my hair now.

“It makes me feel game ready, and I’m not sure how I’d cope if I didn’t have my hair braided, I’m a bit superstitious like that.”

Hatchard will hit her milestone during the Crows’ do-or-die Round 12 clash against Fremantle this Sunday.

With a finals berth up for grabs, Hatchard says she relishes the big stage and can’t wait to pull on the Crows jumper for the 100th time in a match that means so much.

“I actually love playing in really tough games,” Hatchard said.

“Being able to go through all of those things, especially this year it hasn’t been the usual Crows footy where we usually finish in the top four, has been a big learning curve for us.

“I think I’ve really grown as a leader to be able to help us through these times. If we have a really big, hot crack this weekend, we can still go deep into finals.

“To be able to play my 100th in such a big game is something I am really excited about. Hopefully I can get the vibes up and bring the girls along and get the win as a team.”

Adelaide faces Fremantle at Norwood Oval on Sunday at 4.35pm.

Tickets available here.