Libby Birch - the only player, male or female, to win premierships at three different clubs - is also incredibly resilient.

She has played every possible game since Round 1, 2017.

On Saturday night, she will become the third player to play 100 consecutive AFLW games, after Ebony Marinoff and Ally Anderson.

On the eve of her 100-game milestone, Birch's coach, a champion former teammate and an opponent-turned-teammate reflect on her career so far.

Daisy Pearce, former teammate (Darebin Falcons, Melbourne)

A couple of years prior to AFLW starting, maybe 2015 or '16, I heard about this really athletic, competitive kid who wanted to play footy coming across from netball. I thought, 'Ooh, that sounds like a good recruit'. I started giving her a lift to training and found her a pair of footy boots she could wear.

It was awesome to have her around. She was super hardworking and such a quick learner. Sometimes you would catch Lib, and she’s just watching and observing and taking in everything around her.

In her first season at Darebin, I wondered if she was going to make it because she hadn’t played a lot of footy. She was strong and a hard worker, but she didn’t quite have the skills of the game.

But she improved so quickly, it was insane. And then I remember getting told what she was doing on top of her training. She was meeting with a PE teacher to do kicking practice and footy training every night or two.

When you hear something like that, it’s no question she was going to end up a good player. Despite everything Lib’s achieved, she’s probably still that person, doing the same extras and everything she can.

I’ve been really proud to follow her career, knowing where she comes from, and that none of it's a given. She just goes out and goes to work, and would do anything for her teammates and her team to have success. Lib is the exact type of teammate you want to have. 

She’s provided me with so much support. As my life’s changed over the years, she’s become like an aunty to (twins) Roy and Sylvie, and I’ve always appreciated her friendship and the support she’s given me. 

Tahlia Randall, teammate

When I first met Libby, we were opponents. She was playing for Melbourne and I will never forget her taking a mark at Ikon Park against us in the middle of the field, and then absolutely slamming me with a sledge. 

It was on the lines of 'You're s***, Randall'.

When she came to North I told her about this story. She was so funny and very apologetic, because the sledge was valid in the moment but also, some colourful words were in there. Which just sums up Libby. She's the ultimate competitor, but when she's on your side, she'll do anything for you.

These days we match up a lot at training. She's constantly getting better. Whether she wins the ball or not, she's always asking for feedback on her positioning or how she went. Just looking for ways to improve. 

On the footy field, she's obviously a fantastic player who has won three premierships, two All Australians and so on.

One of the ways I think she's improved at North is her ability to get out of her comfort zone. You sort of have to do that, coming to a new team. The way she's embraced that vulnerability, and being able to put herself out there and develop those off-field relationships, has been incredible. I'm really lucky to be good friends with her. I'm very proud of her. 

Darren Crocker, North Melbourne AFLW coach

We interviewed Libby about coming to North (from Melbourne) on the Tuesday after the 2023 Grand Final defeat. My impressions of her were of someone who was extremely switched on. She knew what she wanted to get out of her football and her career.

I felt like I was being interviewed rather than me interviewing her. 

She left me in no doubt of the top person we were getting. Very professional. Driven. Someone who was going to not just maintain the standards in our footy program, but help us lift the standards.

In her first-pre-season here, five weeks out from Round 1 she injured her knee. At the time we thought she'd done her ACL. Fortunately, if you can call it that, it was a bad MCL.

The way she applied herself to her rehab showed her diligence and absolute professionalism. She was adamant she didn't want to let anyone down. Not many other people would have got back for Round 1, but Libby did. And she didn't miss a game that season.

She's got a very strong will. She's got great resilience. She also compartmentalises very well. She can separate Libby the person from Libby the professional athlete.

I think our environment's been good for her. I'd be surprised if she didn't feel that we've actually softened her a bit as a person.

To have played 100 games, to have not missed a game, and to have helped three teams win a premiership is a remarkable achievement. Hopefully she's enjoyed the ride. She won't reflect on her achievements too much right now, but when she looks back at the end of her career, she should be very proud.