Kyabram AFLW export Julia Crockett-Grills is this week shaping up as the equal-first Geelong player to reach the competition’s 50-game milestone.
Drafted as a foundation player by the Cats ahead of their inaugural season in 2019, the 28-year-old midfield utility will raise the bat alongside club captain Meghan McDonald, who first played four games for the Western Bulldogs in AFLW season one.
Originally born at Camperdown, Crockett-Grills grew up and played her junior football at Kyabram’s St Augustine’s before Geelong snapped her up from the Box Hill Hawks’ VFL side.
Having played 43 games coming into the year, including 20 across 2022’s two campaigns, Crockett-Grills has been in the Cats’ line-up on all but one occasion in 2023, with Collingwood next up on Sunday at Victoria Park.
“There is a lot of anticipation for the weekend ... looking forward to it,” Crockett-Grills told geelongcats.com.au
“Once we get around the girls (at training) and everyone gets to look forward to the game this weekend, it’ll feel more surreal.”
Crockett-Grills has averaged 12.8 disposals and 4.8 tackles a game mostly on a wing this year, getting stuck in with an equal team-high eight tackles in the Cats’ 24-point win over Fremantle last Saturday.
“It was great to get in (the midfield) and play more contested footy, which is the footy I love,” Crockett-Grills said.
However, she continues to look ahead as Geelong seeks the deep run that has eluded the club since its first year culminated in preliminary final heartbreak.
“Under (coach) Dan (Lowther) we’re coming into some real club success ... hopefully we can continue this season going a bit better than how we ended last season,” Crockett-Grills said.
“Just being in the environment here at Geelong has been great in itself.”
The Cats (4-3) lead five teams separated on percentage, with Collingwood’s (4-3) presence in the logjam creating high stakes for the milestone occasion.