When Hannah Munyard began her career as an AFLW footballer in 2020, she never dreamed she would have achieved the ultimate success with accolades along the way. 

Fast forward to now, she is a Premiership player, having helped the Crows to their third flag in 2022, and added a Goal of the Year award in 2024 to her list of achievements across her eight-year career.

The 25-year-old was drafted to the Western Bulldogs in 2020, before requesting a trade to the Crows ahead of the 2021 season.

Ahead of her 50th League game, which she will notch when Adelaide faces Carlton at IKON Park this Sunday, Munyard reflected on her eight seasons as a footballer, and what it meant to reach the milestone.

Sharing Premiership Glory with Club greats and an award-winning goal

The forward recounted the ultimate success of winning a Premiership in 2022, as well as some key teammates who played an important role in guiding her through her early days at the Crows. 

"Hard to go past winning the Premiership in 2022, as my best moment,” Munyard said.

“I think that will hands down be the best moment of my career. I know they're so hard to come by.

"I've also experienced a few losses in finals as well, so to have won a premiership and have that accolade is pretty incredible.

 "The players that I played with, the likes of Erin Phillips and Chelsea Randall, that will always be a highlight of my career." 

In a full circle moment, Munyard revealed her and Chelsea Randall's paths crossed before her career began in a special interaction that she will cherish for a long time.

 "I remember watching the 2019 AFLW Grand Final as a 17-year-old kid, and just watching in awe of Chelsea Randall, especially getting a high-five from her along the boundary after she had just won a Premiership," Munyard said. 

"To then train with her and play with her since then, it was pretty cool. She's an incredible person.”

One of the utility's accolades includes a Goal of the Year award for her brilliant checkside along the boundary against St Kilda in 2024.

Reflecting on the achievement, Munyard admitted she had watched the highlight several times, and enjoyed being able to celebrate alongside Skipper Ebony Marinoff, who won the League Best and Fairest that same year.

"I've seen it a couple of times, it’s pretty funny, I guess it's just a bit of a random award,” Munyard said.

"I wouldn’t have ever thought that I’d win something like goal of the year. I was pretty lucky, that was a very cool part of my career. 

"On that same night, Ebony (Marinoff) won the Best and Fairest of the League, so that night was pretty special."

 The support network behind Munyard's road to recovery

 In Round One of the 2025 season, the forward suffered a severe ankle injury which sidelined her for the remainder of the year. 

The 25-year old discussed how she overcame her injury and how connecting with teammates facing their own recoveries helped her through the process. 

"There were definitely a number of people who got me through, Ebony Marinoff was great as she also had an ankle injury a couple seasons ago," Munyard said.

"Caitlin Gould also broke her wrist as well, so we were kind of going through a bit of rehab time together and running along the sidelines.

"The biggest thing for me and my teammates was continuing to build those relationships through training, and not isolating myself.

"Spending time with my teammates outside of these four walls really got me through those hard times."

Long-awaited return brings relief and excitement for Munyard

The forward made her return to the field for the first time in 12 months during the Crows’ Round One match against Sydney at Unley Oval.

Despite the loss, Munyard said she was able to rediscover what it felt like to be out on the field competing, and how she is looking forward to fully immersing herself in football again after her time away from the game.

"I felt a bit relieved to have got through the game, it was a really cool atmosphere." Munyard said.

"I actually remember running through the banner, and I was like ‘this is what it feels like to play again’.

“I didn’t forget, I just didn’t have that feeling for a while of playing my favourite sport in the entire world.

 "I'm pretty excited to get a win, hopefully this weekend. 

“Just watching our debutants has been so exciting and I'd love to get the win in Melbourne. I'm looking forward to getting into playing this new style of fun, exciting footy." 

Adelaide will be hoping to record its first win for the season when it takes on Carlton at Ikon Park on Sunday at 2.50pm (ACST).

The game will be broadcast live on 7Mate and Kayo.