Since her season-ending injury in round 7 last year, Jordyn Allen hasn't missed a game at the top level.
Before that stint on the sidelines, she had played every AFLW game since her debut in round 1, 2019, bar one omission due to illness.
"I had never had an injury through footy before (until the foot fracture)," Allen said.
"I fractured my wrist when I was four and later my collarbone racing motorcross.
"It was definitely hard to spectate but credit to my teammates - they made sure to get around those of us who weren’t on the field and I felt like I was riding the highs and lows right there with them.
"From a rehab perspective, I have mostly good memories.
"Don’t get me wrong, it was challenging, but that's probably why I have such fond memories of those moments.
"I learned a lot about myself and my body."
While she typically plays as a medium defender, Allen is just as handy up forward - she kicked an all-time drop punt from the boundary in round one worthy of Goal of the Year.
Her footy journey started with the Rye Demons (playing with the boys) at age 9.
"For as long as I can remember I was kicking the footy with my brother Jackson and cousins Lachy and Bayley," Allen said.
"I grew up supporting St Kilda and yes, it still hurts remembering the 2010 Grand Final despite now being a part of Collingwood.
"I had a jersey with number 9 for Fraser Gehrig when I was really young, but I adored Lenny Hayes.
"My goal this year is to remain injury free and play with enjoyment... and I want to win a premiership."
THIS IS 2022 - JOIN THE MAGPIE ARMY TODAY!
The 21-year-old said the tight-knit playing group feels a responsibility to create an enduring culture at the club.
"We all have a hell of a lot of love for each other and we aren’t afraid to express it," she said.
"There is a lot of feeling in this group and I think it contributes to the legacy we are trying to leave for future members of this program.
"Since I've been at the Pies I've learnt that football is so much more than the product you produce on the football field.
"It's the relationships you create with your teammates, the staff, the members, the families and the fans."
