ASK most NAB League Girls prospects what they love most about football, and the team element of the game is often central to their answer. That is no different for Eastern Ranges tall Ava Campbell, who managed eight outings as a 15-year-old last year and is striving to rebuild some of the squad chemistry her side displayed en route to finals.

“The girls have just been working together really well as a team,” Campbell said during preseason. “We’ve been trying to build up that bond that we had last year which was really good. We’re really happy to just get stuck into (the season) and hopefully we get some wins, that’ll be really exciting.

“We had a really good season last year. Unfortunately we lost that preliminary final but we had such a good family bond, so hopefully we can rebuild that and going into those games we really hope it shines through.

“When I played basketball it was just the five girls and now with footy it’s a massive team environment. The culture is really good, everyone just gets around each other and I love the community feel about it.”

In an individual sense, not only has Campbell been able to show her wares in the NAB League, but also as a bottom-ager in last year’s Vic Metro Under 17 side. Grateful for each opportunity, the up-and-comer is now looking forward to using her experience over the next two seasons to achieve a couple of longer term goals.

“I’ve been really thankful that I’ve been able to start at such a young age,” she said. “I think in the next year or so I can just develop my leadership skills, as well as my ability to get into the contest and play that game. But hopefully in a couple of years time I’d love to be captain and be able to lead the team out.

“Playing bottom-age in the Vic Metro (Under 17) team last year, hopefully I get to play again, that’d be insane. It’s a really good set-up, I’ve been able to develop my skills and learn a lot from all these higher up players and coaches so I’ve been really grateful for all those opportunities.”

While able to play at either end of the ground, the developing Campbell is once again looking to cut her teeth across centre half-back and had been working on her running in the lead-in to season 2022. Among her defensive partners, Mia Busch and Cadhla Schmidli are a couple she is looking forward to teaming up with once again.

Currently 1-0 after two rounds, including a bye, Campbell and her Ranges are now preparing to take on the Sandringham Dragons in another home fixture on Saturday, opening up the Round 3 action.