When Sarah Goodwin played her first game in the tri-colours, her mum drove her to the ground.
]It was Round 1, 2023 and Kuwarna was playing Port Adelaide in the AFLW Showdown II at Norwood Oval.
Having been traded from the Power after her five-game debut season at Alberton, Goodwin was overwhelmed to be playing for the Club she grew up supporting.
“I grew up a Crows supporter, so it was a dream come true to put the colours on,” she said.
“I remember my debut game for the Club against Port in a Showdown. It was very surreal … I was actually crying in the car to Mum on the way to the game, there was just so much emotion to be able to run out with the girls wearing a Crows jumper, it was really special.”
This Sunday, Goodwin will reach her 50-game milestone when she runs out against Hawthorn at Kennedy Community Centre on Sunday, becoming the youngest Kuwarna woman to reach 50 AFLW games.
Goodwin started her football journey playing the game in the backyard with her two older brothers, before making her way to the Plympton Bulldogs, the Goodwood Saints, eventually winning the 2021 SANFLW Premiership with Glenelg.
In 2022, she was then drafted at Pick No. 7 by Port Adelaide ahead of the Club’s inaugural season in the AFLW – she was aged only 17, had braces on her teeth, was half-way through her Year 12 studies, and was one of the youngest women to be drafted into the competition.
After playing five games for the Power in her inaugural year, she was traded to Kuwarna for the 2023 season.
Having lined up in 44 games with the Crows’ No. 11 on her back, Goodwin has outgrown her braces and grown into the team’s midfield, alongside Captain Ebony Marinoff – who has been hugely influential on the 22-year-old’s football development – as well as new housemate Madison Newman.
And with eight new teammates this year who are all aged 20 and under, it means that Goodwin is starting to take on more of a mentoring role with the younger players now too.
“Obviously, I still feel young, but I guess having lots of 18-year-olds you do feel a bit older and you feel like you do have a bit more experience now, especially once you hit 50 games,” Goodwin says.
“So, if I can help them in any way, like others have helped me over the years, I think that would be really good.”
Kuwarna Senior Coach Ryan Davis described Goodwin as a terrific athlete and footballer.
“Her development over her last couple of years has been through the roof, so it’s a very exciting prospect for me coming in here and having a player of her ability, and her standing within the group,” Davis said.
“Certainly, this year, she’s been fantastic; her ability to hit the contest, hit the scoreboard, and use that running carry.
“It’s been a fantastic joy for me to watch her development over the short time that I've been here.”
And it’s not just the Adelaide coach who would describe Goodwin as such: the 168cm midfielder received a game-high nine coaches vote in Round Three’s win over West Coast, making her Best on Ground in the eyes of the coaches.
“Getting more time in the midfield has been really good for me,” Goodwin said.
“I love the responsibility and running around there and likes of Eb and Teah (Charlton), has been really fun.”
And the good start to her 2026 season has continued, seeing in Round Two’s game against Carlton she ticked off a goal she’d set for herself this year: to kick her first AFLW goal.
“I started my career in the backline and then had a bit more midfield time last year … but I had six points to my name,” Goodwin said.
“To kick my first goal was really exciting … I said to the girls, I wish I had celebrated more, but I think I was just relieved that I finally got one.”
Unlike when she played her first game for Kuwarna back in 2023, Goodwin won’t be driven to the ground by her Mum, she’ll be on the team bus. And she’s promised no tears on the way to the ground.
Meanwhile, her parents, one of her brothers and her partner, Liam, will be in the stands at Dingley, as excited as Sarah will be.
“I just feel excited to get out there with the girls; it’s obviously a really important game for us this week, and hopefully we can build some momentum into the season now," Goodwin said.
Kuwarna plays Hawthorn at Kennedy Community Centre on Sunday afternoon, with the game to be broadcast live on 7Mate Adelaide, Kayo and Fox Footy.
