MICHELLE Cowan says Sunday’s AFL Women’s Exhibition Game offered an exciting insight into the depth of football talent in Victoria.

While AFL Victoria coaches took control of the two teams in the loss to the Western Bulldogs, Cowan said she enjoyed the opportunity to take a “back seat” and watch the game.

“I think the depth of talent is there in Victoria, so it’s great that these girls could be exposed to this level and from then they can work on some areas and continue to keep improving,” she told Dee TV.

“That’s what we want – we want to get the level of competition up so we can have more teams in a national competition – and the girls need to go back and work on certain areas.

“But it’s great to see the talent that’s running around today.”

With ten AFL Women’s Exhibition Games taking place in 2016 as the AFL looks towards a national competition, Cowan said it was a great time to be involved in women’s football.

“It’s an absolute revolution, isn’t it? It’s just happening, there’s a lot of momentum and the girls are really excited,” she said.

So 2017’s really exciting but I think we just need to really focus on 2016, get [the players] through their club land and get through this AFL series that’s happening.

“I’m really looking forward to the September 3 game when we go and hopefully play on the big stage again, with 50 of Australia’s best athletes.”

For the game against the Bulldogs, standout footballers from the AFL Victoria Women’s Academy were selected to play alongside the clubs’ retained Victorian players.

Cowan said the process would help to unearth lesser known talents, such as former netballer Alicia Janz.

“A highlight for me was Janz through the middle there [with a] rundown tackle that’ll be on the highlight reel for sure,” she said.

“She’s a super talent – she’s a former netballer but she can bring those skills to the footy field.

“I love her aggression and want to win the footy – it’s really exciting.”

Meanwhile, Cowan said she was “absolutely loving” her new role as player development coach.

The West Australian spends four days a fortnight in Melbourne, primarily working with the club’s younger players.

“I love the scope of my role with the men’s team, really working closely with the first and second year players and they’re doing really well,” Cowan said.

“So [I’m] loving the role there and [I’m] balancing that with family and everything at the moment but the guys have been fantastic and the whole club has been brilliant – the staff and the playing group as well.

“So I’m feeling really comfortable in my role and absolutely loving it.”