Montana McKinnon has been patiently waiting for her crack in the Yellow and Black.

As she continues her rehab from her ACL injury that she sustained last year during a match simulation against the Western Bulldogs, she looks ahead and shares her hopes for what 2025 may hold.

But McKinnon is no stranger to the AFLW stage.

The 23-year-old joined the Club after playing 31 games for Adelaide and is ready to finally put her knowledge and ability into action at Punt Road.

Richmond Media sat down with McKinnon to see how her pre-season has been going and her hopes for what lies ahead in 2025.

RICHMOND MEDIA: You're yet to play a game since you arrived at the Club, how are you feeling as you prepare for your first proper season in the Yellow and Black?

MONTANA MCKINNON: I'm just really excited. Obviously, I've been around the Club and girls for the last 12 months, and it's a really exciting group.

Getting to watch them play last year and train all of pre-season with them. I've been grinding away at this rehab to do everything I can to pull on the guernsey with the team.

RM: You've been able to complete rehab with a number of players going through a similar setback. Has that been helpful as you navigate?

MM: It's not good seeing anyone injured, but the good thing is having people to go through it with you.

Having Coxy (Katelyn Cox) do her ACL in a similar timeframe as me has been good because we've had each other to help and push each other along.

We started running the same week together. Having her be faster than me has been good, she's been able to push me along with my running.

Having Coxy alongside me, we've been able to push each other along, and it's been really motivating.

RM: We've just returned from our pre-season camp in Wodonga and Wangaratta. How did that help the group's connection?

MM: It was really good going out there, being able to do community work as well, with schools and club visits.

We spent the whole weekend together. It was important to use those days to build connections and hopefully be able to run out on field feeling more united.

RM: You've played at the elite level before with Adelaide, but we haven't seen you yet at Tigerland. What is something unique you offer for this side?

MM: My physicality. Playing in the ruck, using my strengths on the ground in that ruck battle, but also in the air, is something that I'm proud of in my game.

RM: Rehab is not a fun experience, but have there been some positive moments, and have you found some joy?

MM: Up until then, I've been lucky enough that I've never really experienced anything like this. 

So, just knowing more about it, so now that Zoe (Hargreaves) and Chucky (Charley Ryan) have gone through doing their ACLs, I've found that I've been a mentor and been able to help them in those early days.

I found solace in reaching those little milestones. I wasn't about to run for four months. That was really tough, but when I was able to go for my first run, it was a little joy that made me motivated to keep pushing.

RM: How is the team looking now that we're deep into pre-season, and what most excites you about playing this year?

MM: I'm really excited to get out there with the midfield group. We've got the likes of Mon Conti and Ellie McKenzie that I'm so looking forward to playing with and tapping the ball down to them.

The whole team is looking to play that exciting brand of footy. I'm looking forward to getting out there on the park with the squad.

Richmond's AFLW season gets underway against Sydney on Friday, 15 August at North Sydney Oval.