For young Crow Lucy Waye, pulling on the Adelaide guernsey for the first time on the weekend was already a dream come true.
But when she found herself running in towards an open goal in the first quarter of her first game, the moment became even more memorable; joining a prestigious group of people who have kicked a goal in their first League game.
Waye made her AFLW debut against Hawthorn at the Kennedy Community Centre on Sunday, playing for the Club she’s spent her life supporting, and helping the side to an important 28-point win on the road.
The 19-year-old South Australian described her debut as a surreal experience, admitting she expected to feel more nervous before taking the field.
“I almost teared up running through the guard of honour because it was just a dream come true,” Waye, who joined the Crows at Pick 21 in the 2025 AFLW Draft, said.
Her fairytale moment arrived early in the match when Waye capitalised on an opportunity inside forward 50 and slotted her first AFLW goal.
After receiving a handball from teammate Chloe Bown, Waye instinctively took her chance.
“I just looked up and saw the goal open, so I kicked it,” she said. “I don't think I really thought about it at all. I just kicked it.”
While the goal came naturally in the moment, it quickly hit home just how special the achievement was.
“It came when I didn't expect it,” Waye said.
“I looked at the scoreboard and thought, ‘Oh my God, I've just kicked a goal’.
“Then all the girls got around me; it was really good.”
The goal proved important in helping Adelaide build momentum in the first half, made even more remarkable by the significance of the occasion.
The debut capped a journey back from injury for the young Crow.
A hand injury in the pre-season stalled her push for selection earlier in the season, forcing her to watch from the sidelines as her teammates took to the field, with Waye finally being her chance in Round Four and becoming the sixth Crows debutant for 2026.
“I knew if I kept playing scratch matches and got my confidence back up, my time would come eventually,” Waye said.
That opportunity finally arrived, and the West Adelaide product made the most of it.
With her parents watching from the stands, the debut carried extra meaning.
Waye said her mum was overcome with emotion after witnessing a moment that reflected years of hard work and sacrifice.
“Mum's seen everything I’ve gone through with my football,” Waye said.
“For her and dad to be there to watch me make my debut at the top level was a really special moment.”
Adelaide takes on Geelong this Saturday afternoon, with the match to begin at 2.35pm (ACST).
Don’t miss out on the action, get your tickets here.
