The have not been many players more integral to the evolution of Geelong's AFLW program than Julia Crockett-Grills. 

It was a journey that started in 2019, when the versatile Cat lined up against Collingwood in Geelong's inaugural AFLW game, part of the historic team that commenced a new chapter in the club's history. 

But Crockett-Grills has gone on to become a consistent performer and a strong figure for the Cats both on and off the field, a role she continues to play today. 

Now, the experienced utility will reach a well deserved milestone, when she plays her 75th AFLW game in the blue and white Hoops this Sunday. 

Crockett-Grills spoke about the milestone, which has given her a chance to reflect on how much life has changed since the day she walked in the door at Kardinia Park. 

"It is incredible, it has been a huge part of my life now," Crockett-Grills told Cats Media. 

"When I first signed on, I was still young and still navigating what I wanted out of life.

"Now looking back, I have settled in here at Geelong and I think the whole club itself and the people, have shaped the person that I am now.

"I have settled down, have a little family now and am really moving into that next phase of life.

"I have Geelong to thank for a lot of that and for making that happen."

Crockett-Grills is set to become just the second player in Geelong history to reach 75 AFLW games in the Hoops, after co-captain Becky Webster notched the same milestone in Round 1 against North Melbourne. 

Along the journey, versatility has been a feature of her game, able to provide great run and carry on the wing or more recently, pushing forward and being able to hit the scoreboard. 

It is now a career that has spanned into a ninth season for Crockett-Grills, with the significant milestone set for Sunday's clash with the Gold Coast Suns. 

Crockett-Grills said that it has been enthralling to be part of the Geelong Football Club, as the AFLW program commenced and found its feet within the competition. 

"I guess when you start playing footy, you don't really think about your longevity or anything like that," Crockett-Grills said. 

"But to look back, it has been such an incredible journey so far. I still feel like we have got some things to achieve, hopefully this year can be the year.

"It has been awesome to be part of the ebbs and flows, I have definitely been here for some of the darker times and navigating through that.

"Then having some success and getting a taste of what that is, then going into each season with a new belief that we can create something special as a whole."