CHANTEL Emonson was playing in just her second AFLW game on Saturday, yet she looked like a seasoned veteran out on the field.
The 25-year-old defender had 14 disposals against Collingwood at Victoria Park and played her role to perfection.
Of course, she’s excited to be having an immediate impact on the field, but most importantly she is thrilled to be playing alongside her best mates.
“I’m loving being a part of it,” Emonson told Melbourne Media.
“It’s a feeling you can’t express to others.
“It’s an opportunity that you’ve just got to take with both hands because you really don’t know where it’s going to take you or when it’s going to end.
“You’ve just got to embrace every win and take each week as it comes.”
Emonson is living in the moment and loving playing on the big stage of AFLW.
And after battling injury throughout 2018 she is finally regaining some confidence in her body.
“I had a pretty interrupted VFL season last year so getting some consistency back in playing back-to-back games has been really good,” she said.
“It’s been important for myself, not only for my confidence, but for the connection of the team as well which has been really good.”
Emonson has fit into the team seamlessly and at just 162cm she is tasked with negating the opposition’s pacey small forwards each week.
The Demons’ backline had some changes in Round 2, but it appeared to function smoothly.
“It was really good to get back out there with the girls as a defensive unit,” she said.
“My role was pretty similar to last week. Ainslie (Kemp) slotted in really well – she just came in like she’s been playing in defence for years which was so good as she complements us well.”
After conceding nine goals against the Dockers in Round 1, Melbourne significantly improved their performance defensively against the Magpies, and Emonson was pleased with the outcome.
“Us as a defensive team last week conceded a few too many goals but it wasn’t much of a focus, it was more about the one-on-one contests,” she said.
“We came together as a whole defensive unit really well, rather than breaking down in some areas like last week.
“We rectified those areas by identifying them during the week and we really implemented our plan this week which was really good to see on the scoreboard as well.”
But Emonson isn’t taking all the credit for the team’s win against Collingwood.
The entire playing group worked incredibly well together and combined for an impressive 17-point win.
“I think that’s probably down to the whole team. The mids and the forwards play a role, not just the defensive side of it,” she said.
“I think we really connected across the whole team which I’m sure was evident from the sidelines as well.
“It was a really good feeling.”