Maddy Collier came to Essendon to accelerate her game in preparation for AFL Women’s. Now, the GWS utility is building her game as part of the Bombers’ midfield.

Collier was voted best afield in the Essendon’s maiden victory over Richmond last Sunday. The stats tell of her offensive and defensive work rate – 20 disposals and nine tackles constitutes a fair day at the office in anyone’s books.

“I think for the first time this year, as Major said, we put in an 80-minute effort,” the 22-year-old said.

“That was a really big goal for us, we’ve been good in patches but to put it together for a whole game has been a huge task for us.

“We had a lot of synergy. It came with how much we wanted it in the dying minutes of the last quarter.

“We had the wind against us but our grit and just how much we were all on the same page in terms of wanting to win the game really helped us pull through.”

Collier has found her feet in both a new team and a new city. Working in a café and building a routine around the club, Collier has come a long way from the early days when she found stability in fellow Giant migrants Tanya Hetherington and South Australian Tait Mackrill.

“Tanz and Tait I’ve already been in a team with … Tait’s moved down so we used each other a lot at the beginning, she’s made it more comfortable.

“Tanya’s older and we’re really good mates and she’s got a nice calm head on her shoulders.”

After being taken as a GWS priority selection in 2016, Collier has played 11 games in her first two seasons. She relocated from her native New South Wales to The Hangar to debut in the red and black in round two, saying the move to Essendon was all about taking the next step.

“The biggest thing was the level of footy. I was looking for more of a challenge … I wanted to make sure I was improving or doing as much as I could to improve.

“In the last three games, I’m starting to play a bit more naturally and think less. I play my best when I’m not overthinking.”

Collier is quick to tip the hat to the leaders young and old at Essendon.

“(Vice-captain) Tash Hardy goes about it in a way that resonates highly with me. No nonsense, there to get the job done but also a good teammate.

“I think Lauren Caruso is doing really well. She’s one of those people who’ll have a crack. That’s what I really like about her.”

The Bombers face Footscray at Henry Turner Reserve this Sunday from 1pm.