For Georgie Hatchard, it’s no surprise that her wife, Anne, is set to become the eighth AFLW player to reach the coveted 100-game milestone.
Georgie has had a front-row seat to Anne’s career across the past five years, witnessing firsthand the dedication, determination, and resilience that has defined the three-time Crows premiership star.
Anne will also become just the second Crow to notch 100 AFLW games, after Co-Captain Ebony Marinoff reached the feat in Round Seven.
Speaking to AFC Media, Georgie opened up on how she was feeling ahead of her wife’s milestone match.
“She keeps saying ‘I can’t believe it, I can’t believe it,’ but I can,” Georgie said.
“It doesn’t shock me she’s about to hit 100 games and I know she’ll hit many more because she’ll play until she can’t anymore.
“She just continues to work hard away from the club and do so much more than what people see.
“So I am honestly not in shock that she’s hitting this milestone - she’s one of the best athletes I’ve ever seen.”
The pair met through a mutual friend at a local basketball club, quickly became inseparable, and married in Las Vegas in 2023.
They are now expecting their first child, with Georgie pregnant and due in February.
Georgie said she knew instantly that Anne was someone special but conceded she knew very little about Aussie Rules in the early days of their relationship.
Despite that, Georgie has ridden every high and every low alongside Anne, always as her number one supporter.
“The first time I saw her play footy live was in the 2021 Grand Final, and we lost that one,” Georgie said.
“I also had no idea what was going on because I wasn’t really into football until I met her, but it broke my heart because I remember her on the grass with her arms up around her knees and her head down, and it was horrible because I couldn’t take that away from her.
“But she’s an absolute machine on the field. She has that white-line fever, once she crosses the line, she’s a completely different person. As soon as she’s off the field, she is an absolute softy.
“It’s been a journey. A lot of the highs and lows come down to football but we’ve learned our routine and how to prepare the best for her games.”
The triple Club Champion’s milestone will arrive in a do-or-die clash, with a finals berth on the line.
Georgie said Anne performed best when the stakes were high, and she couldn’t wait to cheer from the stands on Sunday.
“She usually thrives in the big games and when there’s a lot at stake,” Georgie said.
“I think she’ll be amazing this Sunday and will hopefully kick a couple of goals.
“I am so proud of her, she’s making this massive milestone, and I can’t wait to watch 100 more games.”
The Crows take on Fremantle at Norwood Oval on Sunday at 4.35pm.
Tickets available here.
