Crows AFLW No. 1 pick Montana McKinnon is ready to show why she has been touted so highly
“I won’t lie, I cried a little bit,” – The emotion of making her long-awaited debut this weekend had Adelaide’s No. 1 AFLW draft pick in tears.
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Montana McKinnon had a few tears as she walked into work at the Marion Aquatic and Leisure Centre gym on Wednesday.
They were, however, happy tears.
The 182cm ruck/forward was finally set to make her AFLW debut with the Crows in their must-win clash against North Melbourne in Hobart on Saturday.
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McKinnon, who was the Crows’ first selection at last year’s national draft, was keen to showcase her skills at the top level and prove why she had been touted such a talented junior.
“I found out Wednesday, I was actually just heading into work when Doc (coach Matthew Clark) gave me a call and that was pretty exciting,” McKinnon said.
“I won’t lie, I cried a little bit while on the phone.
“I had a bit of tears walking into work but it was a really good feeling.
“It was a bit of relief that all my hard work has paid off.”
McKinnon, a South Adelaide product, worked her way into the Crows side after impressing with the Panthers across the first three SANFLW games.
She has averaged 15.7 disposals, 2.7 clearances and amassed a total of 40 hit-outs.
The 18-year-old, who was named the 2019 Junior Sports Star of the Year, said Adelaide’s coaching staff wanted her to improve her ground-ball work before giving her a shot.
“They were really happy with my aerial work but my main goal was to work on my ground pressure – so my ground balls and my tackling.
“For a tall it’s a little bit harder but I’ve really been working on that the past few SANFLW games.”
The Crows will, however, be without dual premiership star and co-captain Erin Phillips for battle with the Kangaroos.
The reigning AFLW best and fairest winner was withdrawn from the side because of knee soreness.
McKinnon said it was unfortunate to not have Phillips on the field but said the 32-year-old was doing “everything she could” to be fit for next weekend’s home match against GWS.
“It’s going to be exciting having my closest support network – both my parents, my little sister and my boyfriend – there watching me,” McKinnon said.
“I am already feeling the nerves but when it comes to it I’ll just play my game and do my best out there.
“It’s going to be a tough game but I think if we play our game style we should be fine.”
The Crows play North Melbourne at North Hobart Oval on Saturday at 2.40pm.