AFTER a holiday in Seattle, Lily Goss is back at IKON Park after being drafted in the 2022 NAB AFL Women’s Draft at the end of last month.

Goss is no stranger to the famous Carlton ground, having played the VFLW season with the Blues earlier in the year under Tom Stafford. 

Now back and straight into pre-season training, Goss is still reeling about being drafted to the Blues, noting she was hopeful but not expecting anything from the draft. 

“It’s a bit surreal being back here after so long,” Goss said. 

“I was really excited to be part of Carlton already, so I had my fingers crossed through the process hoping that if it was to happen, Carlton would pick me.” 

Unlike the majority of her draft class, Goss hasn’t been playing football since juniors, and has only sporadically participated over the last couple of years. 

Playing a few games in school and having competitions postponed due to the pandemic, Goss hasn’t got a lot of footy under her belt, but you certainly wouldn’t know it by watching her. 

A good friend of Rising Star Mimi Hill, Goss trained with Hill during lockdown and admits it was Hill who pushed Goss to play VFLW in the first place. 

“I started playing senior footy properly when I graduated in 2017, so four years, but take away the COVID years and it’s only two-and-a-half years: I’m still pretty raw in that sense,” she said. 

“[Mimi Hill] was a big influence to me and vice versa.

“She pushed me to be a part of the VFL program, so I’m very thankful for her for that. That really helped me get here.” 

Goss only played the one VFLW season before getting drafted, instantly making an impact at the higher level. 

Goss was named runner-up in Carlton's VFLW Best and Fairest award at the end of the season, and was lauded by her coaches for her determination and grunt around the ball. 

When drafted, Brett Munro noted that Goss’ hunger for the contest was something that stood out to recruiters through the VFLW season, with Goss admitting she put everything she had into her football this year. 

“I think I just made sure that every time I stepped foot on the field, I just gave it my all,” Goss said. 

“I felt very lucky to be at the VFL level. It isn’t something I’ve strived for previously so to have that opportunity, I thought I had to make the most out of it for myself and everyone around me. 

“That was giving my all at training, giving my all at games, listening to coaches, working with my teammates.”

Goss has only had one training session at the AFLW level so far, but straight away she noticed the step up in intensity and physicality compared to VFLW – a part of her game that Goss is known for. 

“I think the physicality and determination of everyone on the field is something I noticed and I loved it,” she said. 

“You can tell everyone just puts everything out on the track, regardless of who you’re surrounded by and what you’re doing. It’s just go 100 per cent, give it your all, prove you’re out here to improve and to learn and get the most out of it.” 

As for Goss’ future, she hopes to play an AFLW game soon, and as per usual, leave nothing to chance should she get the opportunity. 

“I think if I ever got the opportunity, I would be incredibly excited to run out on the field with the girls, playing my first AFLW game,” she said.

“I think it would be an incredibly surreal experience and I hope I can get there, and push myself to get there.”