Crows AFLW utility Abbie Ballard will return to the footy field this weekend for the first time in five months - albeit in a practice match.
Ballard will be one of eight Crows players who will combine with members of Brisbane’s AFLW squad for a trial game against Sydney in Blacktown on Saturday.
The game forms part of the squad’s optional training ahead of pre-season officially starting next month.
Ballard, who underwent a knee arthroscopy in December, said she was looking forward to building up some match fitness and playing alongside a few of the Crows’ recruits.
“This will be my first hit-out of the year and I’m feeling good,” Ballard said.
“I’m excited to have a bit of a run around and a bit of a kick with the new girls.
“The knee is feeling good, it’s so much better after the clean-out, so I’m feeling fit and ready to go.”
The 23-year-old had an interrupted pre-season in 2024 after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament in Round Seven of the previous year.
She then made her long-awaited return in the Crows’ Round Five game against the Lions and went on to feature in the Club’s Semi and Preliminary Finals.
Ballard, who spent the majority of her time lining up as a small forward, said she was keen to develop her midfield craft and cement herself as an on-baller.
“My main goal for this pre-season is just to actually get through the pre-season with the team,” Ballard said.
“Being on the sidelines last year and just running around the oval was hard, so it will be nice to just crack in and have a whole pre-season of doing football instead of just running around.
“Hopefully I can get through the pre-season and improve my football knowledge and the midfield craft so I can crack into a solid midfield position.”
This weekend’s match comes after 12 selected players took part in a scratch match against Sydney earlier this month.
Ballard did not feature in that game but said the practice matches were a good opportunity for players to understand the team structure.
“This game gives everyone another crack to have more game time, get more experience and really help the new girls learn and get where they need to be when we hit pre-season,” Ballard said.
“This will be my fifth season, I do feel a bit old, even though I’m only 23, but I think my on-field leadership is a strength, so I’m looking forward to helping the girls out and being able to bring that bit of experience.
“It has been a long break, it feels like this month is taking forever but pre-season is just around the corner now.
“We’ve been training, but it will be nice for it all to be official and get back into it.”
The combined Adelaide and Brisbane team will face Sydney in Blacktown on Saturday, April 26, at 11.30am (ACST).
Adelaide will take part in a final pre-pre season practice match against Sydney on May 3 in Adelaide.
Pre-season will then officially begin on Monday, May 19, ahead of the 2025 campaign kicking off in August, with the fixture set to be released in the coming months.
Crows AFLW players listed to take on Sydney in game two on Saturday, April 26:
Abbie Ballard
Amy Boyle-Carr
Brooke Boileau
Hannah Ewings
Kayleigh Cronin
Brooke Smith
Lily Tarlinton
India Rasheed
