REIGNING AFLW premier Adelaide is ready for whatever the competition is ready to throw at it, according to co-captains Erin Phillips and Chelsea Randall.
The Crows surpassed all expectations to claim last year's inaugural premiership, but won't be flying under the radar when they open their title defence with a Grand Final rematch against the Brisbane Lions at Norwood Oval on Saturday night.
"I think the target is on everyone's back," Phillips said on Monday.
"We are the reigning premiers, and that's great, but we're back at the start line now.
"I'm up for any challenge."
Phillips emerged as one of the League's superstars, claiming the NAB AFLW best and fairest, the AFL Players' Association MVP and the Crows' club champion award.
The 32-year-old said her decorated basketball career had taught her that backing up a championship-winning season was more difficult than winning for the first time.
"Everything that you did in the first year, do it 10 times harder because that's how it's going to be," she said.
"Every time you come to a weights session, don't take short cuts.
"It's harder to stay at the top of the mountain than it is to climb it.
"You've got to be 100 per cent diligent with everything that you do.
"This team blows me away by how professional they are, and they've only had a season under their belt of playing in an elite environment, but they do everything right.
"I can't ask for anything more."
Randall and Phillips were rested from the Crows' side that lost to Fremantle in a trial game in Darwin earlier this month, but they are ready to go to face the Lions.
"We know we are the hunted now, and that's coming off a great season last year," Randall said.
"We know we're back at the start line and we don't know what to expect from every team.
"It's going to be an unpredictable season two."
Randall expected the standard of the competition to step up considerably in the second season.
"The skill just continues to grow," Randall said.
"All the players are coming back bigger, faster, stronger, and I think we'll see that in the coming years.
"That's going to continue to develop.
"Young girls from the age of five and six are picking up a football to play footy, so it's great that they get to my age, they are going to be a really talented bunch."
