NSW/ACT defender Maddy Collier says she would have preferred the taste of victory over being named best player for her team in Sunday's loss to South Australia at Adelaide Oval.

"It's obviously a good personal achievement to be named best, but it was a real stinger to lose by just two points," Collier said after the AFL women's exhibition series match.

"I'm really proud of the girls. We played hard and we tried to do everything to the best of our ability. It stings that we lost."

NSW/ACT led by nine points heading into the final quarter, but South Australia came out firing in the fourth quarter.

"We were trying to lift but they just ran away with it in the end and got the better of us. Credit to them, they played really well, but if we were just a bit harder at the footy, we might have won," Collier said.

The 20-year-old Collier had 15 disposals, five clearances and an impressive 11 tackles. It was a terrific return for Collier, who broke her ankle last August at a training session, just days before she was due to play for the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium.

Collier said she was looking forward to being part of next year's AFL women's league, with her battle to overcome injury only increasing her determination.

"Now I've had a little taste of what it's like (to play at a high level) I really want it and I've been working hard."

Collier, who works as a development officer for AFL NSW/ACT, would ideally like to be picked for the GWS Giants, should they be awarded a licence to field a women's team.

"I'd love that. Being part of any team would be great, but playing for the Giants would be pretty cool."

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