Essendon’s rebel VFLW premiership defence begins on Sunday when it hosts the Box Hill Hawks at the NEC Hangar, and the Bombers will have multiple reasons to celebrate the Round 1 encounter.

Ahead of the 2023 rebel VFLW season, co-captain Mia-Rae Clifford joined the State of Play: VFL/W Podcast to chat about the upcoming campaign.

As well as discussing the start of a new era under new coach Travis Cloke, Clifford also chatted to the crew about becoming the first player to play 100 games in the rebel VFLW since the competition's inception in 2016.

"It's very humbling to make it that far," Clifford said.

"I'm just excited to run out with my teammates. To be honest, the day is not about me. It's about the unveiling of the flag and the beginning for this next group of girls."

Continue below to listen to the interview on Episode 1 of State of Play: VFL/W Podcast