IN YEARS gone by, Ash Brazill would switch from netball to footy in a matter of days.

Having juggled both sports at the highest level for the better part of five years, Brazill had grown accustomed to running out onto an oval barely a week after lining up on the court.

But not this season.

Following a Commonwealth Games gold medal in August, it took Brazill a month to work her way into Collingwood's line-up.

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While she had wanted to return for round one, Brazill now understands the delay was actually a positive for her, the Magpies and the competition as a whole as it moves towards full professionalism.

"Coming back after Comm Games, I would have thought I was going to be straight back into it," Brazill told womens.afl.

"I had seven days before round one, and in previous years I would have suited up for round one, but I think that shows just how far AFLW has come.

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"We've had 'PT' (Paul Turk) come in, our new strength and conditioning person, he said there was no way I was going back in, that his job was to make sure I'm not injured (on return), and he had a full plan in place.

"My body appreciated it. I think the kid in my head was pretty gutted I wasn't playing round one, but I'm standing here (now) in the finals series and my body feels great.

"I had to change the way I lifted weights, change the way I ran, change the netball body into a football body.

"It happened a bit quicker than I thought it would, so happy about that. But now I know there are more serious players around, I can't just come back and expect to play."

Ash Brazill in action during Collingwood's clash against Brisbane in round 10, S7, 2022. Picture: AFL Photos

Representing Australia in netball at the highest possible level was a bucket-list achievement for Brazill, who's one of the few remaining dual-sport AFLW players.

"Playing at the Comm Games ... and representing Australia was something I'd always dreamt about since I was a little kid. Being there, every single moment, it just felt exactly how I wanted it to feel like, and even more," she said.

"After the opening ceremony, I called Brooke, my wife, and said, 'I don't even care if we medal, this is the best experience yet'.

"Then to walk away with gold, that group of girls and coaching staff is a group who will forever be in my life and forever hold the best memories I've had."

Ashleigh Brazill celebrates a goal in Collingwood's Second Preliminary Final clash with Brisbane at The Gabba on April 10, 2021. Picture: Getty Images

The 32-year-old feels like she's a better footballer when she's fresh off netball mode, with her agility, speed and spatial awareness having been heightened to be applied on the much smaller court.

Brazill expected to slot back into her traditional defensive role after missing season six due to her netball commitments, but with the rise of Lauren Butler, Jordy Allen and recruits Lauren Brazzale and Sarah Sansonetti, she's been pushed into attack.

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But after pinch-hitting up forward, a proper AFLW season in attack was an abrupt change.

"When Steve told me I had to play forward, I almost died, because everyone knows I can't kick goals. I can get the ball, I just can't do anything with it," she said with a laugh.

"It's been great. I've been playing netball for so long and playing in the same positions (wing defence and centre), so to come back to a sport I love and being handed a completely different role, the learning of a new position has got me so excited.

"It's even got me thinking I'm not ready to give this sport up. I want to keep going and learn to be the best in my position."