Ella Smith understood being drafted to the Brisbane Lions presented her with great opportunity as well as some tough challenges to overcome.

The Lions have been Premiers, Preliminary Finalists and Grand Finalists in the last three seasons – a dream team to be selected by.

On the flip side, earning the call up into coach Craig Starcevich’s formidable line-up is no easy feat, especially for a young teenager crossing to AFLW from rowing.

“It is definitely a hard side to break into,” Smith acknowledged.

“But I know the development I’ve got from learning from such experienced players is so beneficial. I have learnt so much from plenty of the girls in training and games.

“Just watching how lots of the girls go about their individual prep to make sure they are in the right mindset and warmed up properly was helpful in knowing how important it is to get your body right to perform. 

“Lots of the girls were great mentors to me, especially the experienced ones that played in the reserve games. They made all the time in the world to work with us and to help improve us.”

Smith’s transition into the Club’s AFLW program was made a little smoother after coming across from the Lions Academy from her home club of Aspley.

The 18-year-old was selected with pick 41 in the 2022 NAB AFLW Draft as an emerging midfielder.

Now the challenge is to find a way into the Lions’ team, with Smith revealing she spent additional time with development coach Damien Richards to try and do so.

“My agility, speed and body confidence are the areas of my game that I really want to improve,” Smith explained.

“I did plenty of craft work with Damo this year to improve different aspects of my game and it was so beneficial.

“As a coach, Damo was my biggest mentor, he always worked with me before and after training to help me improve.”

For the past three years Smith has shared her time and energy with football and rowing.

While admitting that the rigorous training regime for both took some time to adjust to, Smith is confident she is managing both sports well and benefiting from them.

“The fitness I have gained through rowing carries over to footy and has improved my endurance, strength and overall ability to be able to push myself,” the young Lion said.

“The intensity of all my previous rowing has also helped me to understand how hard I can push myself and this transfers well to being able to do the same in footy, so I’ll do whatever it takes to get a game.”

With Season Seven of the AFLW now over and most players are now enjoying an off-season holiday, it is not the case for Smith.

The dual-sport athlete has now moved straight into rowing season, with her heart set on making the under-21 Australian rowing team.