I’ll be back to help Crows defend title, says injured Heather Anderson

HEATHER Anderson says the thought of a second shoulder operation in a year only makes her more determined to help Adelaide defend its fairytale AFLW premiership next season.

Pleasure and pain ... Heather Anderson nurses her damaged shoulder as she greets Crows fans at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Tom Huntley

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HEATHER Anderson says the thought of a second shoulder operation in a year only makes her more determined to help Adelaide defend its fairytale AFLW premiership next season.

The gutsy defender dislocated her right shoulder during a typically robust tackle in the Crows’ dramatic grand final triumph over Brisbane Lions on the Gold Coast on Saturday.

Anderson had her arm in a sling as she and her teammates paraded the premiership cup at halftime of Adelaide’s AFL season-opener against GWS at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.

The Defence Force medic will have scans this week to determine the extent of the damage, just 12 months after she underwent a shoulder reconstruction.

“As soon as I did it, I had this incredible pain shoot through my body and my first thought was ‘oh no, not this again’,” Anderson, 22, said.

“As much as the pain hurt, it’s at least manageable, it’s more the familiarity of knowing what’s to come.

“But I’m going to have all the (Crows) girls and all the staff right behind me all the way.

“I’ve got plenty of years of football ahead of me.”

Adelaide’s history-making women’s side received a heroes’ welcome as Crows fans came out in force to celebrate the flag triumph on Sunday.

Hard at it ... Heather Anderson tackles Brisbane’s Jessica Wuetschner during the AFLW Grand Final. Picture: Dan Peled (AAP)

Supporters flocked to Adelaide Airport to welcome home the champion squad which was cheered into the terminal as co-captain Chelsea Randall held the premiership trophy aloft.

Anderson, who is known for the pink helmet she wears during matches, said the backing of the SA community had carried the side through a rollercoaster campaign.

“It still feels surreal,” said Canberra-born Anderson, one of nine Crows players based in Darwin.

“It’s something that I’ve dreamt of since I was a kid and I never thought would come true.

“Seeing what we’ve managed to achieve in an eight-week season, I’m really excited to see what the girls can achieve as a group over the years to come.

“I’ve had an absolute ball doing it and I can’t wait to get out there and do it again with the girls.”

Crows fan Geoffrey Rowe said the women’s side deserved the rousing reception it received from the Adelaide Oval gallery.

“It was a good result and really good to see them out here in front of a decent-sized crowd,” Rowe, of Salisbury Park, said.

“Initially the AFLW was probably seen as a bit of a lead-in to the (men’s AFL) competition, but it’s really taken off in its own right and people have got behind it.”

Honor Kearns, 12, said she had been inspired by watching the women’s grand final on TV.

“It was great,” the Henley Beach resident said.

“Erin Phillips is my favourite player because she’s very persistent.

“It makes me want to play footy too.”

Originally published as I’ll be back to help Crows defend title, says injured Heather Anderson