VETERAN defender Meg Hutchins believes she still has plenty to give and is determined to continue her AFL Women's career.

The 36-year-old, recently delisted by Collingwood, played five of a possible seven games this season after playing all seven matches last year.

Hutchins, who has played senior local football in Victoria since 2003, said she didn't see her delisting coming.

"It came out of the blue and was a bit of a shock," Hutchins told AFL.com.au.

"It's cliche, but it is what it is, and you have to take it. You can't change decisions. So, you just have to get on with it and make the most of the opportunities you do have.

"I'm appreciative of the opportunity at Collingwood – both playing and professionally – and I'm proud of what I was able to achieve and the legacy I hope I've left behind."

After playing the first season in her preferred position in defence, Hutchins spent most of the second AFLW season either in the forward line or the ruck.

"I picture myself as pretty versatile. That's the role that the coaches wanted me to play and I did it to the best of my ability," she said.

"I play my best football in the back half of the ground. I'll be working on that over the next little while, but I guess my versatility is probably a strength

"I think my hit-outs to advantage were pretty good."

Hutchins recently signed with Hawthorn for the coming VFLW season (starting May 5), but as the Hawks do not have an AFLW licence, she is yet to find a side for the third NAB AFLW season.

Hutchins said she'd seriously consider moving interstate if the right opportunity presented itself.

"When you want to keep the dream alive, you do everything you can to make sure it happens.

"I wouldn't dismiss the idea, but it would have to be the right fit for me, and the right fit for the club as well. I wouldn't want to just be making up the numbers, either.

"It's quite a large move to make. You're sacrificing a fair bit, particularly home and family. You want to make a meaningful contribution on the field and know you're valued for the season."

As the AFLW season is so short, players who aren't getting games can often acutely feel the pain of non-selection. Hutchins had to watch on from the sidelines in the first two rounds this season when she wasn't picked.

The life-long Collingwood fan revealed an unlikely ally during her two weeks – nearly a third of the AFLW season – watching on.

"Although I was frustrated, it wasn't about me and I had to shift a lot of my focus towards what being a good teammate is all about.

"I received a couple of messages. One was from 'Bucks' (Collingwood AFL coach Nathan Buckley) – he was a really good sounding board for me in that time."

Hutchins was Collingwood's AFLW footy operations manager in the team's first season, but was replaced by Mathew James for the second year.

She revealed it wasn't her decision to step away and into an administration role with the club's Next Generation Academy.

"On reflection, it's probably a decision I could have made myself, but it was made for me," she said.

"You invest so much of your time and you sacrifice so much … so that makes it hard to step back and watch it all unfold without you being able to make an influence.

“That's obviously pretty tough.”

Hutchins is looking forward to lining up alongside close friends and former Eastern Devils teammates Tahni Nestor, Lou Wotton, Steph Carroll and Sarah McNamara at Hawthorn this year.

"They didn't stop banging on about how awesome their experience [with the Hawks last year] was and how much they were enjoying themselves,” she said.

"That is not to say the Collingwood program was not going to be like that, but it was important for me to go back to the VFLW and just have fun, enjoy myself and thrive."

A developing relationship with Hawthorn coach Patrick Hill also sealed the deal.

"A lot of it was based on Patty's coaching philosophies and the culture and environment he had set up … the Hawthorn model [is] a better fit for me for where I'm at with my football.

"The fact a lot of my really good friends I've played footy with for near-on 15 years were playing there was a really big drawing card."