MIMI Hill acknowledges the turmoil and adversity of recent weeks. 

But, now that the dust has relatively settled, she’s just keen to get to work. 

The reigning Carlton AFLW Best and Fairest winner was the first player announced as re-signing with the Blues. 

Rejecting the lure of the expansion clubs heading into their second season, Hill added a year onto her existing contract, taking her tenure at Carlton until at least the end of 2024. 

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Mimi Hill on Bupa partnership, AFLW program update

Mimi Hill joined Carlton Media to discuss the Bupa member partnership that will see the same sponsor on AFL and AFLW shorts, as well as an update on the AFLW program.

And while there’s been no shortage of uncertainty recently, Hill has shifted to an outlook of optimism and excitement about what’s to come. 

“A lot of things were changing. But now I’m really excited by what’s to come for the Club,” Hill told Carlton Media, speaking at the launch of the Blues’ partnership with Bupa. 

“The players are really buying in at the moment, and the Club is behind us. We have a really young group that is really eager to learn and improve.

“I’m ready to get better.”

That final line formed the foundation of Hill’s personal outlook of what’s to come in 2023. 

From an individual standpoint, it may be easier said than done. Hill’s calendar year started with the NAB AFLW Rising Star award after season six and ended with a Carlton AFLW Best and Fairest win following season seven. 

However, Hill knows the key marker for her improvement will be elevating the game of her teammates, expanding her leadership credentials and capabilities. 

“I want to take my game to a new level, and that starts with on-field success with the team,” she said. 

“I can’t improve my footy if we’re not all in it together: I’m trying to bring players along with me.”

With the Club currently undertaking a process for its new Head of Women’s Football and the AFLW Senior Coach, Hill stressed the immediate importance of the players having their future in their own hands. 

She shed some light on conversations which took place behind closed doors that followed a similar theme. 

“After we heard the results from the review as a group, we asked the staff to leave the room so we could have a conversation as players,” she said 

“We said that at the moment, it’s just us — we need to lean on each other. 

“Nobody is allowed to go missing — we need to check in on each other and make sure other teammates are having the right habits, because that’s we what we can control at the moment.”