It took only one round of the new AFLW season for the impact of the growing demands on the players to hit home for Greater Western Sydney star Jess Dal Pos.
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The Giants' 2017 best and fairest winner and outstanding midfielder tallied just a meagre four possessions in an underwhelming start to 2018 against Melbourne last weekend.
It was the joint second-lowest tally by a GWS player in a closely contested game the Giants lost by six points.
It was a far cry from the efforts that swept her to All Australian honours in 2017 when she was among the AFLW's tackle and clearance leaders.
Dal Pos is one of the code's pioneers, who has played in the VFL and the fledgling national women's competition.
She concedes she made a slow start to the AFLW season.
"It's been a long, long two years," said Dal Pos, who will play against Carlton in Sydney on Friday evening.
"We've had VFL seasons in Melbourne and AFLW and VFL again and we're straight back into it.
"I think I needed a kick up the bum on Saturday.
"I'm ready to go again, but it caught me by surprise just how tiring all of this would actually be, a good leaning curve."
Dal Pos isn't fussed about the controversial directives issued after round one, aimed at reducing congestion and limiting the amount of players around the ball.
"As someone that doesn't love getting tackled, I'm super happy about it to be honest," Dal Pos said.
"It gets everybody out of my way and lets me do what I want to do.
"But at the same time, if we want to create congestion we will, we're footballers and here to win."
