THE 2022 VFLW season will go down as a unique one for Carlton, with the year throwing up new challenges seemingly every week.

A campaign that started with players and coach Tom Stafford being forced out due to COVID-19 isolation rule evolved into one without AFLW players, as a result of the upcoming season in August alongside a plethora of injuries to senior players.

The attention quickly turned to the development of youth, and Stafford believes that the season was successful in that regard.

“We are a development-based program at the VFLW, and success isn’t always measured by wins and losses and so I think it’s important that we look at development and growth,” Stafford said.

“When I think about the growth of our players throughout this season, it’s been immense and and it’s been really fantastic to see that.”

Some shining examples of this has been Bryannen Gurr who has grown exponentially in her role in the backline to become one of the side’s most important ball users.

The midfield duo of Lily Goss and Millie Klingbeil have each shown tangible growth in their game to become genuine forces in the contest.

There are plenty of others too, such as Maddi Di Cosmo and Taylah Kolevski both improving with every game.

Perhaps the best example of growth during the season would be the comparison between Carlton’s two games against the Western Bulldogs.

In Round 9, the side finished up 28-point winners against a struggling side who had the momentum for parts of the game.

Just five weeks later, the two sides played each other again in the final game of the season -- this time around, the Blues were dominant, running out 83-point winners in a comprehensive display.

Stafford believes that the Blues’ best football of the season was played in the last two games.

“I look at how we finished off the season, particularly the last six quarters which were probably our best footy of the season,” he said.

“To see our style of play shine towards the end of the season was fantastic.”

With the 2022 campaign being Stafford’s first as the senior coach, development wasn't limited to on-field, with this season allowing him to become closer with the playing group.

“Game day is just one aspect of being a coach," he said. 

"Getting to know the players outside of footy and building rapport and relationships with them is something I’ve felt I’d been getting better at as the season went on.

“As a team, we would once a week get a player up and get them to talk a bit about their footy journey, because building relationships is, I think, the most important part of coaching a football side.”

Stafford’s desire to provide a good atmosphere within the playing group was one of his main focuses coming into the start of the season, in fact his mantra overall was centred around team harmony.

“My philosophy is that I want to create an environment that’s welcoming and safe. As much as individual success is important, I want the culture to be around team success,” he said.

While there were plenty of successes, Stafford understands that there were also plenty of lessons coming out of this campaign, ones that he’ll ensure he takes with him going into the future.

“Looking at our playing group, kicking and clean hands are so important, and I think going forwards we have to spend a bit more time on those fundamentals,” he said.

With the season now finished, the players and staff can give themselves a well-earned rest as they reflect on their efforts. Stafford says that everyone involved can be proud of their achievements.

“Footy has many highs and lows, but the dedication they’ve shown throughout the whole season makes me really proud of them. I want them to know that they should be really excited going forward with this footy club,” he said.

Benjamin Hann is a student at La Trobe University, undergoing his Bachelor of Media and Communications (Sports Journalism). He is currently undertaking an internship at the Carlton Football Club as part of its partnership with La Trobe University.