INAUGURAL Blue Brea Moody has seen a lot change in her time at Carlton since the inception of the AFLW competition. 

Now on the other side of fresh upheaval, Moody has re-committed to the Club yet again, citing her trust and confidence in the Blues and their direction as the core reason. 

The two-time All Australian had no qualms about staying at IKON Park, noting that sometimes a shake up can be the best thing for a program in the long run. 

“There was absolutely no doubt [about re-signing] – Carlton is my home,” Moody said. 

“I’ve been here for seven seasons now: hopefully I’ve still got a few more to go here and whilst last season was disappointing, I’m excited for our future and the direction that we’re heading.” 

Following the news that reigning Carlton AFLW Best and Fairest Mimi Hill and captain Kerryn Peterson had both re-signed with the Club, Moody acknowledged that the core group of the list was intact and more determined than ever. 

Whilst player movement has been rife in the last few years across the AFLW landscape, Moody admitted the nature of the competition has made that inevitable, but that those who have stayed at the Blues have been galvanised through hardship and adversity. 

“Last season was pretty disappointing – one of the things that comes with that is a lot of outside noise and players make decisions to go elsewhere,” she said.

“Those of us that have stayed here and re-committed to the Club have got a greater sense of connection amongst us. 

“We’ve ridden the lows together and now we’re excited to work hard, to keep building on our connection as a group, get some good players in and start on that upward trend. 

“I think it’s a big confidence boost for the rest of the playing group to have the leaders re-commit and really back the program and get behind the Club.” 

While the pre-season is still months away, Carlton’s AFLW players have been constantly around IKON Park, making the most of the Club’s facilities before official proceedings get underway.

It’s a whole new look for an energised Moody, who recalls the relaxed nature of the commitment in her first season compared to the professional environment being established in regards to women’s football. 

“It’s so different to the first season, I think we used to see ourselves as part-time athletes and maybe a bit more focused on working in the off-season but the direction of the group is heading in such a professional way,” she said. 

“The Club has given us so many more resources to come in during the off-season and work hard and get ourselves into the best possible shape heading into pre-season. 

“Heaps of people are coming in... there’s more than a handful in each day and it’s good to get that contact time with some teammates before we officially start.”