Ellie Hampson reflects on making her AFLW debut for the Suns against Richmond

As her teammates ran through the banner and onto Metricon Stadium for the first Suns AFLW game at the ground, Ellie Hampson took the chance to hang back and soak in the moment.

AS her teammates ran through the banner and on to Metricon Stadium for the first Suns AFLW game at the ground, Ellie Hampson took the chance to hang back and soak in the moment.

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Making her AFLW debut nearly a year to the day after she was one of the first three players signed by the club, Hampson spent the past month rehabilitating an ankle injury she suffered days before the pre-season trial match against St Kilda.

Gold Coast Sun Ellie Hampson is on the comeback track after injuring her left ankle. (Photo by Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

With family and friends in the stands, the 19-year-old was part of history as one of 21 players to take part in the club’s first contest at Metricon.

“I like to run out last so I followed the girls out and just to see the big banner and all of my best mates standing in front of me about to run on to the field is a pretty great feeling,” she said.

“I like seeing the back of all my girls.

“I think it’s a mental thing that I’m here for all of them as well as myself.”

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The Townsville product didn’t need long to make an impression on the contest, going up for a contested mark in the first quarter and clashing mid-air with her opponent.

“I couldn’t believe it, I was like ‘what do I do now?’ but then you play footy after that,” she said. “You get a touch and it’s a crazy feeling and then it’s over just like that and you want the next one.

“That was a good way to settle into it and switch on from there.”

Hampson, who spent the bulk of the pre-season training as a midfielder, found herself in unfamiliar territory nestled in the forward 50 against Richmond after she was named as a defender in the 2019 AFLW under-18 All Australian side.

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Rather than reflect on the past, Hampson has embraced the challenge of the new role as she continues to build fitness

“It was a bit different and trying to adjust my game but that’s something I’ve got to build on so I can be more ­dynamic around the ground,” she said.

“That increases the positions I’m available for so hopefully I can get picked every week.”

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Hampson was nearly gifted her first shot at goal early in the game when a kick came long inside 50 and it looked like she’d have the chance to stroll into goal before the umpire picked out a free kick. “I was spewing,” Hampson said.

If she does get the chance to kick for goal, Hampson says her process will be simple.

“I touch my boots to reset the footy and then stroll in and like to think it’s going to go in,” she said.