AFLW players Brianna Davey and Ellie Blackburn are regarded as two of the hardest nuts in the competition. With that in mind, it’s a seamless fit for the two stars to be aligned with the Almond Board of Australia to kick-start a new campaign with the AFL Players’ Association that showcases football’s hardest nuts, and their inspiration.

In the video above, the tough on-ballers discuss their reputations and how they came about, the early success of AFLW, and their impressions of the first few weeks of the season.

The ambassadors of the campaign — Davey, Blackburn, Max Gawn, Liam Picken and Scott Selwood will be launching an award to encourage Australians to shine a light on the ‘Hard Nut’ in their life, as part of the organisations’ Australian Hard Nut Awards.

From those who have dedicated their life volunteering at the local footy club, to players overcoming lengthy and challenging injuries, the Awards aim to profile those otherwise not recognised on a national scale.

Nominations will open on Friday, March 10.

Along with the prizes up for grabs, ambassadors will take the opportunity to nominate a ‘Hard Nut’ in their lives, and roast a teammate.