ELISE O’Dea says she wants to be part of a Melbourne AFLW premiership in 2018.

Speaking on the first night of the club’s pre-season training at Gosch’s Paddock, O’Dea said the players were already looking to climb two rungs higher next year, after Melbourne finished third and missed out on the Grand Final by percentage in the inaugural NAB AFL Women’s season.

“The goal is always the AFLW premiership – that’s why you play footy,” she told melbournefc.com.au.

“Hopefully we can get around the girls and play some really good football and hopefully cap it off with something like that.

“Really, I’ll just be happy if we play the type of game style we all want to and know we can all play.”

After an outstanding 2017 – she was named All-Australian – O’Dea was determined to build on her year.

“This year has flown by. We finished an AFLW season and then a VFLW season and now [we’re] straight back into pre-season for AFLW. It’s really flown, but I’m excited to be back, so I’m happy,” she said.

“We won the flag [with Darebin Falcons in the VFLW] this year, which was a great result. That came and went pretty quick.

“After that, I had a holiday back [home] in Canberra for a week or so, but really my full-time job has been keeping me busy, so I’ve been busy in the accounting world and finishing people’s [tax] returns and staying on top of things there.

“Now, I’m looking forward to taking football to the next level again.”

O’Dea said she wanted to build on a range of areas this pre-season, but couldn’t wait to get to know her new teammates and be back with her squad on a regular basis.

“[I’m looking to build on my] fitness, strength, skills and confidence. I’m just looking forward to the whole experience,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to getting to know the new teammates and going on camp with them.

“I just can’t wait to be back with the family.”