Richmond AFLW star, Katelyn Cox, has put her “best foot forward” to get herself back on the track in preparation for the 2025 season.

Cox suffered from an ACL injury in her right knee during pre-season last year, keeping her sidelined for the entirety of the 2024 season.

Now, the 27-year-old is back and feels better than ever, however, it wasn’t without sacrifice.

“To be back with the group is really cool,” Cox said.

“I sacrificed a lot during the off-season. I was pretty much in the Club every day, grinding away.

“I sacrificed, missing out on some holidays, and I just wanted to really do everything that I could to put my best foot forward and get myself back on the track.

“I didn’t want to come back with any regrets, and I just wanted to give it my all.”

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Cox was selected by Richmond in the 2022 AFLW Draft as the 60th overall pick and went on to play in all of the side's 22 games up until her injury.  

The mature-aged recruit credited the Club for supporting her throughout her recovery journey

“I’m feeling super confident,” Cox said.

“I love these girls so much, honestly, it’s like a family here. I couldn’t be happier to be on the right track now and to be back with the group.”

It didn’t take long for Cox to get back into the swing of things, having already set a personal best in the six-minute time trial.

“This is probably the fittest I’ve ever been,” Cox said.

“I hit a PB on grass for our six-minute time trial, so to come away with a good time, I’m very happy.

“I’ve been cutting a few laps around the oval, so I’m glad that it has all paid off a little bit.”

With the Tigers' 2025 AFLW season kicking off on Friday, August 15, against the Swans in Sydney, Cox says the group is laser-focused on preparing for the season ahead.

“Everyone is super focused, and we just have a job to do,” Cox said.

“I just think we are going to do everything we can to try and achieve that.

“It’s just such a great group, everyone just gets around each other, and it’s great vibes.”