A NEW era, a launching pad, a need for change.

Darcy Vescio has had their fair share of first days of pre-season. Eight, in fact, from an AFLW standpoint at least. 

But this one may have been the most marked in terms of change since day one back in 2016.

On their drive in for what they regarded as “always a very exciting day”, Vescio - an inaugural Blue - couldn’t help but wax lyrical over their morning trek to IKON Park. 

After all, that simply hasn’t been the norm. 

With a new training schedule, a new coach overseeing things and six new players (with two to come) on day one, the excitement for Vescio - and housemate Jess Dal Pos - was evident.

“You normally know what to expect . . . but today, today’s a new day,” Vescio said.

“Jess was very excited. I saw her roll into the kitchen, first day of school, pumped up. We got told not to come in too early, but Jess is knocking on the door.

“To flip complete to day is a complete lifestyle shift for all of us. It’s definitely one of the biggest changes our program has ever seen, and it creates a distinguished line between what football was formerly at a community level where you train at night, to coming into AFLW and having a weekend session, to now.”

In readiness for their eighth season at the level, Vescio has seen it all in a glittering career.

Unfortunately, that includes the lows, but they know as well as anyone that the highs are always around the corner. But not without true application and hard work.

With the team’s commitment to high performance formulated in what is now universally described as ‘pre-pre-season’, the machinations of what that completely looks like will be established as the training block progresses. 

But when it comes to mindset, Vescio said there’s no time to waste.

“It’s being able to accept that where we’ve been isn’t where we want to be, and the only way to get out of that is by changing. It’s awesome to have those findings, but if we don’t implement them, then we can’t expect anything to change,” they said.

“Everyone has been aware change is coming. Buck has made us very well aware that it’s going to be really hard . . . and not what we expect from the past. For a lot of us, we’re going to have to learn to adapt quickly to that.”

The latest off-season has seen further change in Carlton’s AFLW environment for a team - and, more broadly, a whole competition - that has had moving parts since the relative inceptions.

So what about those first three words? Is it something that’s all been said before? Is it ‘a new era’ in Vescio’s eyes?

“I really hope it is.”

That’s followed by a pause, before the qualifier comes: “it’s got to be”.

“We’ve been fortunate to be in the competition since its inception, but with that, you’ve got to keep growing, evolving and moving with the competition.

“Yeah, we’re young, but everyone’s young . . . even though we’ve had a rough couple of seasons, there’s no better time for change. Everybody is ready for it.”

If there’s one thing that Vescio wanted to pinpoint as what they’re most looking forward to, it’s the passion and connection with those over the fence. 

The two-time competition leading goalkicker - who, incidentally, couldn't wipe the smile off their face when mentioning a permanent return to the forward line - said “a pumping IKON Park on game day” is one thing they desperately want to bring back to the fore.

“If this point is a new launching pad, I’m looking forward to everything this season can bring. I hope we can really build the connection with our supporters, to be able to bring people in and make them feel a lot more ownership for what we’re creating,” they said.

“My best Carlton memories are ones at IKON Park where we’re surrounded by people who love what we’re doing and feel part of what we’re doing.

Maybe even more special than heading back home for a meal post-training. What a luxury.

“It’ll make a big difference with life balance, being able to go home for dinner — but also, starting at 11, so if you need a sleep-in, you can get that too.

“The best of both worlds? Yeah, I feel like Hannah Montana over here.”