LILY Mithen could hardly have had a more different experience in moving from Melbourne to Gold Coast last year.
She was a day one Demon, growing alongside coach Mick Stinear and a host of teammates she would eventually call close friends.
The 28-year-old would be part of Melbourne's first premiership in 2022, culminating a calculated rise to the top.
But following 82 games in nine seasons, Mithen would make the move to the lowly Suns ahead of 2025 where she would start from the bottom again as the club undergoes a full rebuild.
"I needed a bit of a refresh and change," Mithen told AFL.com.au ahead of her 100th game on Sunday against St Kilda.
"The move in coming up here was largely due to that. I think that's reinvigorated my love for the game.
"I got that spark back last year just with the change of environment. I'm really grateful for the opportunity to come up here and get that love back.
"Last year was a real challenge. I've come from a team that consistently played top four footy, and you see the other side of the ledger, and I think that gave me real perspective of what success looks like."
Last year the Suns had one win and a draw, leading them to do a huge cleanout ahead of drafting a plethora of highly talented Academy graduates.
Improvement this season has been almost instant, winning four from six games and rapidly firming as a chance to finish in the top eight.
"It's been really different to the experience I had at Melbourne, but one that I'm cherishing and loving being part of," he said.
"At Melbourne there was a large core of us that had been together from the early years and grew together as part of the fabric from the start.
"We had those relationships that built over a long time and had a bond and friendship that was really quite deep … whereas here you come in and it's fun and exciting and youthful and we don't necessarily have all those lived experiences together, yet we're riding a wave of what could be.
"I loved the challenge of last year and loved seeing the growth and evolution that we've shown in the last 12 months, and I'm really excited about the prospect of where our team and where our club is heading.
"That wave of youth and enthusiasm that we've got at the club does suit my personality because I do love to have fun and bounce off the wall and I'm a high-spirited person."
Mithen said bringing up the century had given her a brief time to reflect.
She had dozens of family and friends at last week's game against Essendon at Windy Hill, which was meant to be her 100th before a calf injury recently cost her a week.
"I'm really proud of the fact my footy has brought a lot of people together and friends and family get to share a drink together and cheer me on," she said.
"My junior footy club, Newtown and Chilwell, how they never questioned being a girl in a very male-dominated sport was ok and I was accepted and supported there.
"Had that have been different maybe I'm not in this position I am now. It has been nice to reflect on all the little parts of my journey and who's helped me to get here.
"You don't get a degree out of this, but you do get a degree in life given all the little challenges you go through and all the different experiences you get."