WHEN Megan Neill first arrived at Carlton, she didn’t even know whether she would play a game this season.
After playing just one year of footy at Keilor, Neill was nervous about making the transition to VFLW so quickly.
But it's safe to say she immediately exceeded her own expectations, having played every game so far this season.
Her performance in the Blues’ 16-point win over the Bulldogs in Round 6 was one of her best, duly named in the VFLW Team of the Week at centre-half-back.
Neill says she was happy to get an individual accolade to go with her first win in Navy Blue.
“We’ve been hanging for a win,” she said.
“I was rapt with how I went. I think I just took a few games to get my feet back and get back into footy.
“I’m just becoming more confident in my abilities and backing myself to take on my opponents, I have already had a number of challenges with each one helping me improve.”
Sing it loud and proud girls! #VFLWBlues #BoundByBlue pic.twitter.com/QOBo7kR3Xf
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) June 15, 2019
Not only has Neill playing consistent football, but she’s been doing it as the co-captain at the Club: a position she was honoured to receive.
“I was a bit surprised initially but yeah I was absolutely rapt to take it on,” she said.
“Co-captaining with Natalie Plane is great, she has great football knowledge and is really easy to bounce ideas off.
“Nat alongside our other AFLW players have great experience and footy smarts, they have been fantastic to us by passing on tips and tricks. Everyone’s really welcoming.”
As the #VFLWBlues campaign gets underway, there's a special announcement to make.
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) May 18, 2019
Nat Plane and Megan Neill have just been informed they'll be joint captains for the 2019 season! #BoundByBlue pic.twitter.com/OsPWloUnzq
The person that welcomed her into football was Carlton VFLW assistant coach Emma Kerry: Neill’s first-ever football coach back when she played for Keilor last year.
The Blues co-captain says she was thrilled to walk into Carlton with a familiar face by her side.
“When I went down to Keilor, I wasn’t really sure what to expect,” she said.
“I hadn’t played footy since I was in primary school. It was something totally new to me but she’s always been very open and bringing people in.
“She’s got a lot of patience to teach everybody along the way as well. Obviously having her here was also a bonus as well.
“It made me feel a little more comfortable coming into a new environment as well.”
The Blues return to action this Saturday against Geelong in Round 8 of the 2019 VFLW season. Blues fans are in for a big day of footy at Ikon Park, with the VFLW Blues kicking things off at 11am before the Northern Blues take to the field at 2pm.
Stay across Carlton social media for details on how you can livestream the game from wherever your are.
Round 8:
Carlton v Geelong
Saturday 29 June, 11am
Ikon Park
| CARLTON'S VFLW ROUND 8 TEAM | |||
| Backs: | 44. A Prins | 66. M Neill | 27. E Woods |
| Half-backs: | 20. C Wilson | 55. G Wright | 6. G Pound |
| Centreline: | 15. C Dalton | 5. A McKay | 2. M Jarvis |
| Half-forwards: | 32. N. Plane | 35. M. Clifford | 8. C Bromage |
| Forwards: | 30. T Cassar | 12. S Cubasch | 21. N Stevens |
| Followers: | 16. B Moody | 40. S Mason | 4. M Prespakis |
| Interchange: | 9. B Gurr | 63. S Craige | 31. N Burns |
| 33. L Munday | |||
| 23rd player: | 90. J Nelson | ||
In: Gab Pound, Chloe Dalton, Simone Craige, Nicola Burns, Lauren Munday, Jaime Nelson (Northern Knights)
Out: Sarah Hosking, Jess Hosking, Kayla Germanier, Taylah Manson, Phoebe Chisholm
