Having the full squad of 30 AFLW players together for the first time has made everything so much more real, according to SUNS draftee Dee Heslop. 

Speaking at the club’s official partner launch at Harbour Town Premium Outlets, Heslop said there was a sense of anticipation building. 

“Obviously it’s really surreal,” Heslop told SUNS Media. 

“I think it’s really great having all of us girls together and especially the eight draftees together so it’s really exciting.

“I think all the girls are really pumped to start the season - it’s only a few weeks away so it’s really exciting.”

After injuring her shoulder during her 2019 campaign, Heslop said she was ticking the boxes in her recovery to be back to full training shortly. 

“(The shoulder is) really good at the moment,” she said. 

“I’ve just passed a few of my tests so now we’re just moving forward and now I’m into my strength and back to running.

“It’s really exciting so hopefully everything goes to plan.” 

About to embark on her first-ever AFLW pre-season on November 25, Heslop said she was in the dark about what to expect. 

“I know it’s going to be really hard but I think that’s what you’re prepared for,” she said.

“I think my main goal at the moment is just to try to make Round 1 and just have a really big year I guess and grow as a person inside and out.”