IN JUST her second AFLW game, talented Gold Coast teenager Annise Bradfield suffered a dreaded rupture to the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee.

Now, after missing the best part of two seasons, Bradfield is on the cusp of returning, and couldn't be happier.

The incident occurred early in round two of 2021 against Brisbane, and understandably left the former No.7 draft pick in tears.

As she discussed with womens.afl, it's been one huge rollercoaster of emotions for the 19-year-old to get back to this point, from Gold Coast quickly extending her contract to give her security and peace of mind, to being put on the inactive list ahead of last season and realising how far away she still was from playing at the top level.

"When I initially did it, it was a feeling that you don't know … but you know," Bradfield said.

"When it initially happened, I was like "please no, please no".

"That whole week we waited for scan results and when I was told I was pretty emotionless, I think I'd prepared for the worst.

"It didn't really hit me until the day of my surgery."

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That would start a 12-month process of rehabilitation, that included all the mental barriers that go with running again, doing agility again, contact, and ultimately playing for Bond University in the QAFLW this year.

Bradfield, who played hockey for 10 years before switching to Australian rules football as a 13-year-old, said it was "heartbreaking" to have sport taken away from her and conceded she had moments of self-pity.

She's not new to overcoming setbacks though.

As a 12-year-old she suffered heart palpitations and dizzy spells that manifested in her having seizures and "collapsing randomly".

Bradfield said that where she developed having a positive mindset.

"I'm two-and-a-half years seizure free, so for me that's an absolute accomplishment," she said.

"I really had to work my way through that as a young adult. You have to be motivated to get through something like that.

"I think I've learnt throughout the years to see the moment and see what I can do … just going back to why you love the sport and what drives you.

"When I switched to footy I remember that little girl saying "I'm going to make it" and I think a couple of years later AFLW started and that was something for me to aspire to and prove people wrong that don't believe in girls in sport.

"We can do it and it doesn't matter what you go through individually, there's always a way back."

Bradfield said it was all about flipping her mindset in any situation, and during her rehabilitation it gave her more time to chat with coaches, watch vision and understand the game.

Now, she's ready to put her hand up for selection for the upcoming season.

"The motivation side of it, you find out how headstrong you are and how far you can push yourself.

"I'm in a really good spot at the moment mentally, ticking away at training, and being consistent through the last couple of months has been huge for me.

"When you've been watching AFLW games on the sideline for a whole year, you just want to get in.

"I can't wait."