It took Meg Hutchins 16 years.
One of the most decorated women footballers in the country: a six-time All Australian, four-time club leading goal kicker and foundational AFLW player.
But she would have traded it all for a taste of team success – a taste she finally got in 2018.
Hutchins joined the Hawthorn VFLW side last year after two seasons with Collingwood in the AFLW which followed a 14-year career with the Eastern Devils in the VWFL.
She was a key pillar in the Hawks’ fairytale premiership season in 2018.
“It was a pretty incredible season really,” Hutchins said.
“Everyone does strive towards winning a premiership, that’s always the reason for people’s existence in football but for me, and I know for a lot of others as well, it was really the cherry on top to be honest.
“We had a great season and we developed really well as people and I think that’s what so many of us got the most enjoyment out of.”
But Hutchins is modest.
Her story is one of resilience and there couldn’t have been a more deserving player to be draped in a premiership medallion at the end of last season.
“For a lot of us it was a long time in the making.
“Phoebe (McWilliams) had waited 12 or so years and I think ‘Wotto’ (Lou Wotton) was 14 or so years.
“So, a lot of players had put in a huge amount of time and commitment over their journey and to finally be able to taste that success and share that with them was pretty awesome.”
Hutchins has quickly ingrained herself into the Hawthorn culture.
Her commitment to the club is illustrated by her role as Women's Football Head of Talent Identification and Recruitment.
The 36-year-old is determined to continue the winning feeling for the VFLW reigning premiers ahead of the 2019 season.
“In regard to the actual recruitment side of things, most parts of that are now done and we are now moving on to potential AFLW recruits and looking for more people that could add something to our program,” Hutchins said.
“We are pretty much going to get most of the girls back, we have to wait and see with a couple but for the most part our non-AFLW premiership players have re-signed again.”
Despite entering her 17th senior season, Hutchins is also motivated by the growth that she sees is still present in her game.
“Personally, I can always find new ways of improving myself.
“For me, I’m going to keep working on my fitness and my skills this year.
“I think everyone has that capability to improve so I think, if we can come in to this pre-season with that mentality, we are going to see improvement across the board
The growth of some of the younger girls in the squad is something that also continues to drive Hutchins.
She wants the challenge of having to fight for her spot come Round 1.
“I think what we saw in the finals series with someone like Rosie Dillon, I think she really took her game to another level.
“She is so clean and so smart with the football, so I’m really excited to see what Rosie can produce this season.”
Hutchins also tipped Kara Henderson to rebound strongly off an injury-interrupted season in 2018.
“It’s obviously important for us to acknowledge that what we did achieve last year was awesome, but recognise it was off the back of a lot of hard work and dedication from all involved.
“We need to make sure we don’t take our foot off the pedal so that we can try to do it all again.”
