'Real drive' in AFLW Kangaroos, says Crocker

huge clut this week COC how are you on the group feeling into a grand final rematch um a the fact that it's a grand final rematch we haven't really spoken about um it's more um how our preseason come together we feel like we've uh made some really you know strong strides forward um we've grown as a group um and yeah we're just looking forward to our first um genuine opportunity against a quality opposition to be able to put that forward so that's that's more you know the journey we're on and this is a first step and um and I said to the group uh before training today that you only get you know one opportunity to make a first impression in the season around round one and you know we've got that opportunity this week it's got to be warm up there as a group different to to prepare for that heat uh not really I think uh the work we've done throughout the pre-season will hold us in good stead you know we are you know from a data perspective we are fitter um and also we're stronger so physically we're really well prepared um I know the girls use the uh the SAA from time to time and uh you know so whether that that has helped um in preparation for this week but it was actually a warm game against uh gws in Sydney uh one of our practice games and also the St ker game was quite warm as well so they're both that's both uh they're both good hit outs you know in a little bit of warmth uh for this coming weekend cro just thinking back to that Grand Final you were leading right up until 34 Time Emma said it felt like the team had one hand on the trophy to what extent does that provide motivation into this season all all I can uh say is that the off seon the way the play players um prepared themselves for the actual pre-season so the the gap between the seasons the diligence uh in relation to completing their programs um at times coming together to do running sessions so they're pushing each other to do weight sessions um again to push each other and get stronger um that tells me that there's a real Drive within the group that they weren't content with uh with where we finished last year now whether that's because we got so close and we had one hand on the trophy at three quarter time um who knows but you know we've always spoken about you know this journey uh we stay on track and each day is an opportunity to get better um not get older and um you know and I think uh they've approached that uh with that in pretty much um that regard um 250 games this week with obviously Nicole and may help sort of proud of you of of their Journeys in the W program yeah it's uh it's so good like I look at 50 games in the W program and it's you know it's hard to to quantify in the in the um in the men's but you know it's probably 100 game you know at least 100 game Milestone with the the shortened Seasons um so for both M and uh and Flash too have come from Tasmania Hobart lest uh you know early days before I come came into uh into this space you know they were pretty much training in in tazzy traveling up to play games in the first um season or two uh you know to have them here training living growing as people they're both quality human beings um and yeah couldn't be more proud of of them being a to reach this uh this Milestone 50 games it's a it's fantastic something that they'll look back fondly on at the end of their uh end of their career is um hopefully we can make it a really memorable occasion for them this weekend been a really talented outfit are there any plays need to put extra work into this suay oh look we we'll we'll have uh we'll have our plans in place um around you know some of their their key plays and how they try to um generate the way they want to play um but really really Keen to uh have our players uh back in our system back in in the way we go about our football and um and see how that holds up again against a really strong opposition in round one you know we've made a couple of tweaks to the way we want to play um and we're really Keen to see that come to fruition and and uh how that holds up under um under Home and Away pressure couple of big additions that's seen since last season we got Li bur coming into to defense uh and Vicky walls another one after uh missing last season to chase an Olympic opportunity with with Ireland what's it been like to have Vicki rein the group what will Che out to the team this year yeah well firstly Libby's been um yeah been a great addition uh you know she's come in she's really driven she's uh she's again she lives by that motto of you know each day is an opportunity to get better um and you know even the fact that she hurt her knee you know only a month ago and she's put herself uh in the slot to be selected in round one you know is Testament to her her want to and her drive to just be the best she can and just looking at how I can improve every single day um and then with Vicki coming back from her um her Olympic campaign you know probably from a coaching perspective I was unsure on the uh of what we were going to get with Vicki you know we but the fact that she's being on that that other Journey trying to make an Olympic team you know just as Testament to firstly again her drive we always knew she was a really driven athlete um and she's come back in in really good good condition um you know hit the ground running to tell you the truth I thought it might have taken her a few weeks to force her way into the team but just so happens she's been able to serve worker way in just uh in a short period of time because of uh how she's uh how she's come back and how quickly she fited in