Adelaide Crows coach Bec Goddard has a premiership defence to worry about but that's not the only thing on her mind - she wants big crowds and full-time wages for players.
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The AFL was bracing for the prospect of another lockout for the AFL Women's season opener following a crowd average of 6828 per game in 2017.
Entry remains free for most games but Goddard says that won't leave the Crows feeling illegitimate when they face the Brisbane Lions in a grand final rematch at Norwood Oval on Saturday.
Canberra product Goddard has put the onus on the coaches to ensure the brand of football is "fast, free-flowing, high-scoring" and attractive for spectators and sponsors.
The majority of games were low-scoring affairs in the league's first season with stoppages causing play to break down and Goddard was left to rue the lack of time to "improve those skills".
But she expects there will "definitely be an improvement" this year, whilst urging people to remember the league is in its early stages.
"It's taken the AFL 129 years hasn't it?," Goddard said.
"That's a long time to get the best footy, doctors and nutritionists, strength and conditioning and all the technology that is used in the AFL these days. I'd just love the girls to have a full-time change and then you'd really see things changing.
"The girls don't go out there each week and think 'I wish people were paying to get into the gates to make us legitimate'. As soon as they pull on their jumper and turn up at the ground, they're there to play the best footy they can.
"They do want to be full-time, there's no doubt about that, but that's got to grow. The competition has to grow, the sponsors have to grow, the broadcast rights will have a big part to do with that.
"They're acutely aware the standard of footy they play makes it attractive and therefore the money will come."
They might be unfurling the first AFLW premiership flag at their season opener but Crows ruck Rhiannon Metcalfe says Goddard has made one thing very clear.
"We're not premiers anymore," Metcalfe said.
"It's gone back to square one. People are speaking about grand finals, there is talk about going back to back and things like that, we're not even acknowledging that.
"Obviously we did very well last year, we achieved a lot and it's a good thing, something we'll never forget. But it's a brand new year, we're all starting at the starting line again."
However Goddard maintains there is a feeling of "why not" around the club with the prospect of a second straight flag on the horizon.
They've had to manage the league's best player Erin Phillips through the pre-season - after all, Goddard says "you only take your Rolls Royce to the bush if it's absolutely necessary".
But that doesn't mean she won't be fighting fit and ready to replicate her 2017 heroics that delivered the AFLW best and fairest, AFLPA most valuable player, and All-Australian honours.
If the Olympic basketballer fires, the Crows will be in the hunt for another title and could see fans streaming through the gates once more.
