The same carnival eight years ago changed Campbell's life forever and without it she might not have had the opportunity to be part of the Tigers' inaugural AFLW side.

"I always played netball and did little athletics and then one day I decided to play in the (Weeroona College) school team at a carnival,'' Campbell said.

"I loved it. The Huntly under-18 footy coach approached me to see if I wanted to play and I stopped playing netball from there and stuck with footy."

Read more: Catch up on all the latest local footy news

After a standout junior career that included Victoria Country selection, Campbell graduated from under-18 girls footy to the Bendigo Thunder senior team where she quickly established herself as one of team's premier midfielders.

Her footy career was flourishing until early in the 2017 season when she suffered a serious knee injury playing for the Thunder at the QEO.

The knee reconstruction forced her to miss the remainder of the 2017 season and all of the 2018 season.

Just when AFLW was blossoming, Campbell had to watch on from the sidelines.

"I never had any doubts about going back to footy...I just had to make sure my knee was right,'' the 23-year-old said.

Her return to footy started in November last year when she decided to travel to Shepparton for a training day with Richmond's new VFLW team.

"I went to a trial day in Shepparton and from there I was asked to go to a pre-season training day at Richmond,'' Campbell said.

"Everything progressed from there."

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Campbell's rookie season in VFLW has been first-class.

In nine games with the third-placed Tigers she's been in the best players five times.

She impressed the Tigers that much that the club contracted her as one of their seven AFLW pre-draft selections.

"I've been a bit surprised how well I've performed,'' Campbell admitted.

"I've been consistent and got enough of the ball to have an impact.

"It's a good feeling to know the club wanted to secure me before any other side had the chance to get me in the draft.

"When I did my knee I wondered if I'd missed the boat with AFLW because I thought it can be so hard to get into the system.

"I'm so lucky to be given the opportunity with the Tigers. Hopefully, I can take it to the girls in the AFLW."

Read more: Campbell girls in Victoria trifecta

Campbell is about to hit the big stage when it comes to women's footy, but the reasons she loves the game haven't changed from that fateful day when she played in the school carnival.

"I love that anyone can play footy, it doesn't discriminate. It doesn't matter if your small or big or how quick you are, you can have an impact on the game,'' Campbell said

"I love the physicality of footy. That's something that a sport like netball can't necessarily provide you.

"It's great being part of a team. We're one big family at Richmond and it's great to be a part of."

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