If the Goulburn Valley has an adopted AFLW club, it would have to be Geelong.
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Boasting three local products — Kyabram's Julia Crockett-Grills, Benalla's Becky Webster and now Mooroopna's Millie Brown — the Cats will be looking to build on a finals appearance last season and take things to the next level.
Crockett-Grills, entering both her and her side's second season in the competition, said the side was bursting with excitement ahead of Sunday's away clash in Fremantle.
“Everyone is pretty pumped and ready to go — it's been a long time coming,” she said.
“Getting to travel for the first game is pretty exciting and should be good, these trips you always get a bit closer with everyone.
“Pre-season has been good, they've worked us hard and it's only short so you've got to get it in quick. We're looking a lot fitter at the moment, everyone's fitter than last year with another pre-season.”
The Cats impressed in their inaugural season, going 3-4 to finish second in Conference B to book a trip to the semi-finals, where they posed little threat to Adelaide in a 66-point loss.
But Crockett-Grills insisted it had been a massive learning experience for the side, and said the players had come back stronger and faster.
“Last year we were just a brand new group, so having been together for over a year we've just jelled more and know each other's games,” she said.
“We also know each other off the field a lot better and I think that's really important. So we should do all right, but it's hard to tell with four new teams coming in.”
And of those factors strengthening the side is the addition of Brown, who joined the club via the father-daughter rule, with dad Paul having played 84 games for Geelong.
Crockett-Grills said the former Murray Bushrangers captain and All-Australian representative led the new litter.
“She's settled in quite well, ‘Bob’," she said.
“She's raring to go, she's an awesome addition to our back line and brings heaps to the team. She's going to be great in the future, as she is now.
“It's been really good, (new players) all bring their particular strengths to the side and show what they've learned in their years playing. It's good to get their outside view of things, and they've all fit in really well.”
Crockett-Grills said she would play a midfield role this season, and hoped to get her hands on the ball more than last year.
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