“IT’S NOT just special for me: it’s special for my family as well.”

Amelia Velardo grew up going to Carlton games with her dad, siblings and cousins for as long as she can remember.

Despite starting out her career in the black-and-white stripes, it’s abundantly clear that the Velardo family is very much a Navy Blue family.

And now officially a Game Changer, the opportunity to call the Carlton Football Club home isn’t necessarily a new one for Velardo — she’s been doing that her whole life.

In doing so, she could become the first player since Ray Byrne in 1978 to play for both Carlton and Collingwood in the same calendar year, albeit in different seasons.

“Being at IKON Park is very surreal… walking in, it is a bit surreal but it also feels like home at the same time,” Velardo told Carlton Media.

“I’m so grateful to be here and live out a childhood dream.

“Even before when I was walking into the locker rooms and having a look at my lockers, I’m taking it all in.”

Velardo became a Blue on Thursday evening, after Carlton struck a deal with Collingwood which saw inaugural Game Changer Lauren Brazzale head in the other direction.

With the weekend providing a breather from the trade action, as things currently stand, the Blues hold three picks inside the first round of the upcoming draft while also welcoming 20-year-old Velardo into the fold alongside veteran goalkicker Phoebe McWilliams from Geelong.

The chance to be part of a new, emerging group on Royal Parade was something which piqued Velardo’s interest.

“Brett [Munro] and ‘Harf’ really sold me on the direction this Club is going on,” she said.

“i think it’s a really exciting trajectory and I’m stoked to be part of that, to help this group grow as much as I can to be a successful team.

“I’m extremely grateful for my time at Collingwood and the development I had there… [now], I’ve got this overwhelming excitement going through me and I can’t wait to get started.”