After being out of AFLW footy since round two last year, Sally Riley relished her opportunity to be back on the park

She was a last-minute inclusion into the Crows outfit that was triumphant over Geelong in a dominant display at Norwood Oval and midfielder Sally Riley made sure she grabbed her opportunity with both hands.

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Midfielder Sally Riley started pre-season with two goals after managing just two games last year: to improve her fitness and fight her way back into the side, and secondly, to win a game and sing the song again with the girls.

She ticked off both those goals on Sunday, when she was unexpectedly elevated from the emergency list to the interchange with the late withdrawal of speedy youngster Hannah Martin with leg soreness.

Crows Sally Riley played her first game of AFLW footy since round two last year as part of Adelaide’s 29-point win over Geelong on Sunday, February 17, 2019. Picture SARAH REED

“We knew Hannah had a bit of soreness, but until (coach Matthew “Doc” Clarke) said those final words, I was never too sure,” Riley said.

“Doc called and said: ‘You’re in; your opportunity’s now.’ So I said; ‘You’ve done your bit, you’ve picked me in the team and now I need to do my bit’.”

Riley played all eight games as co-vice-captain in the Crows premiership-winning inaugural season, but only the first two rounds in 2018 and was dropped from the leadership group earlier this year.

“A season is very up and down when you’re living on the fringe, you’re living week by week and it’s very emotional,” the 28-year-old said.

“I think I had my lowest low last week when I was named again as an emergency, to my highest high on Sunday.

“When you’re not in the team, it’s like you’ve got to wait for someone to fall to get your opportunity and unfortunately for Hannah that happened this weekend with her soreness and I just had to grab the opportunity with both hands.”

And she did just that as the Crows were clinical in their 10.6 66 to 6.1 37 win over the Cats at Norwood Oval. Riley finished the game as one of 12 Crows with double-digital disposals.

Sally Riley, centre, with her Crows teammates after their win over Geelong at Norwood Oval. Picture SARAH REED

She said she hoped her 10 touches (four kicks, six handballs) were enough to keep her in the side as the Crows head to Darwin to face Conference A rivals Fremantle on Saturday night.

“Ten disposals was my highest ever (in AFLW) and I think I only had 50 per cent game time, so to touch the ball that many times … I was just stoked to get the win,” she said.

“I want to get better and play again and get some continuity because it was so much fun playing out there again and I was like: ‘Yep, I really do love football’.”

For Saturday’s game, the Crows will likely be without key forward Chloe Scheer who was charged with rough conduct against Geelong’s Richelle Cranston on Sunday. With an early plea, Scheer can accept a one-match ban.