Tess Craven reaches career-best form by stepping back from football
After deprioritizing football to balance life outside the game, AFLW player Tess Craven is performing at her best level ever.
Tess Craven is having one of her strongest seasons with North Melbourne, but the key to that success was stepping back from treating football as everything. In 2026, the 22-year-old winger focused on life outside the sport after her partner had some health issues that forced her to see that footy doesn't stop for life.
Craven dropped the strict routines and constant performance anxiety that used to burn her out. Craven told AFL.com.au that balance has helped her perform better: "Footy is incredible, footy's everything I've ever wanted to do.
But life doesn't stop for footy, footy doesn't stop for life." She credits her partner for showing her that life doesn't have to be made of routines and that she's valued for who she is, not just for playing football.
Despite easing her intensity off the field, she's delivered her best footy and is fulfilling her role for the team.
- Tess Craven, 22-year-old winger
- Player
- North Melbourne AFLW
- Team
- 2026
- Shift year
Why it mattersIt challenges the assumption that peak athletic performance demands total life sacrifice, suggesting that balance and mental health matter more.
AustraliaFor young Australian female athletes in the AFLW and other sports, it offers a real example that stepping back from obsessive focus can actually improve performance.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 3 h ago
Open this story in InSnip →
