Nicola Stevens has had quite the journey in the AFLW, spanning across 11 seasons and four different clubs. 

But one of the crowning moments in her career will occur this weekend, when the experienced defender runs out for her 100th AFLW game on Saturday afternoon. 

No player has ever reached the milestone in the blue and white Hoops, with Stevens set to create history by reaching a figure that not many before have been able to achieve. 

Ahead of her 100th game on Saturday afternoon against Fremantle, Stevens noted how the occasion gives her the opportunity to reflect on those who helped to pave the way in the AFLW. 

"It is pretty special to reach 100 games," Stevens said. 

"Like you said, there are not many girls that have made it that far. I am pretty grateful to be able to go on that list with mostly inaugural players, who have played a lot of Finals games.

"It is really special, back in 2017 we only played seven matches and there were only a handful of teams. Now we look ahead, in the midst of season 11 and there are 18 teams, playing 12 matches and it is a really competitive competition.

"I probably could have retired five years ago, but there is always something that brings you back. It is the people that we get to do it with and that is really special, so I am pretty excited."

Stevens touched on some of the biggest influences on her career, extending from her junior days through to the present and the start of her own family. 

"My Dad has been a huge part of my football journey, since I was a little kid," Stevens said. 

"He used to love taking me to Auskick when I was nine years old, my Mum would sit and watch me from behind the goals with her warm jacket on in the middle of winter. Both of my parents have had a huge impact on me as a person and my football career.

"I think part of my Dad loving that I was playing footy, was that there was part of him thinking that I don't think she will ever get to play AFL.

"Now that I am here and have got that opportunity, he absolutely loves it. He has been a really big part of my journey.

"Last year, when we welcomed our son into the world, Otis, he has absolutely changed my perspective on everything. He has been the most incredible thing that I will ever go through in my life.

"Being able to bring him into the club and share him with everyone, it makes it that bit extra special."

Stevens' AFLW journey commenced at 2016, when she was selected by Collingwood with pick No. 6 in the national draft. 

It meant that the defender was part of the inaugural season in the competition, and even featured for the Magpies in the first ever game of AFLW, taking on Carlton at IKON Park. 

It was the start of an incredible journey, with Stevens winning Collingwood's Best and Fairest in 2017 and also earning a selection in the All Australian team. 

Stevens mentioned that when she looks back across her career, that inaugural match is still the moment that stands out above the rest. 

"It is pretty incredible when you look back and reflect on the journey of AFLW," Stevens said. 

"2017, I was part of the first match, Collingwood vs Carlton. Just the atmosphere at IKON Park that day, thousands of supporters being locked out.

"That was a huge highlight, and it just felt like so many people before us had worked so hard to get that competition up and running. Really, that was just the start.

"I have played in some pretty cool matches since then, but I always go back to that first ever match, just because it was so special.

"It says so much about women in sport and women in our lives, I am really grateful to be a part of it."

After spending 2017 with the Magpies and playing seven games, Stevens was traded to Carlton where she would play another five seasons and feature in 42 games for the Blues. 

She would then be traded to St Kilda midway through 2022, her third club, where she would spend a further four seasons and play another 43 games, taking her tally to 92 AFLW matches at the end of 2025. 

But another chapter in her story would come calling, when Stevens was then traded to Geelong ahead of 2026, where she has added another seven games to bring her to the cusp of a remarkable milestone. 

Ahead of her 100th AFLW game, the experienced defender noted how important each stage of her career has been, and how grateful she is for the time spent at each club. 

"I think each club that I have spent time at, it has represented a different part of my life and age at the time," Stevens said. 

"I have been very fortunate to be able to represent four clubs, and to grow with the competition as well. It keeps getting fitter, faster, harder and stronger every year.

"There is always something that brings you back, it is the people that we get to do it with and the experiences that we get to share together.

"That is what is really unique about footy, you get to go out on the park every day and do it with your mates, with a smile on your face and inspire the next generation as well."