UNDER the guidance of AFLW Senior Coach Mathew Buck, Carlton’s Game Changers are being encouraged to find their purpose.
Their ‘why’.
As revealed by Mua Laloifi, speaking to SEN’s The Run Home, the new coach’s first pre-season has been typified by not only development in high performance on the field, but having something to play for off it.
This was evident from day one of pre-season, with the Blues calling on a number of Junior ‘Baggers to send in letters to the AFLW playing group.
It has provided a feel-good backdrop to an opening few weeks which Laloifi had said the playing group and coaching staff are relishing on the back of their shared purpose. In Laloifi’s case, her letter was from Sophie Maher, the daughter of Andy: the host of The Run Home, former runner for the Blues’ AFLW team and - of course - an unequivocal Bluebagger.
“As players, you can forget - especially when you’re going through a rough trot that you can inspire people with what you do,” she said.
“To read that message and also to reflect on yourself as a person, you’re pretty grateful for the opportunity that you have to play. That you can inspire people like Sophie - I met her when I first came into the league - and all the other young ones coming up.
“‘Bucky’ has been really good in preaching high performance: that’s not just on the field, that’s off the field. He’s bringing in a really good piece in terms of our ‘why’.”
The impact of Buck - as well as his new coaching staff - on the playing group couldn’t be understated by Laloifi, who nodded towards Buck’s fresh approach to things. The team is currently on their pre-season camp, heading to Warrnambool: familiar surrounds for the AFLW Senior Coach.
Not the first Blue to mention what the shift to a day-time training schedule has done for the team’s energy levels both in and out of training, the fan favourite said motivation levels were through the roof as the season inches nearer.
“‘Bucky’ is great. He’s different in his method, and the playing group is understanding of where we want to go. We’re pretty excited,” she said.
“We didn’t have the nicest finish last season, but we’re hoping for a positive impact this year. He’s brought in some other coaches that are motivated as much as we are.”
What about the season itself? Conjecture remains about the structure of the season, with the fixture still to be revealed.
However, Laloifi didn’t want to play into the histrionics, instead saying the Blues would embrace any challenge and opportunity that came their way — in whatever form.
“We’ve got the right leaders that are working with the AFLPA and the AFL. As players, we want to play more games, but we want to see the growth in the game as well,” she said.
“Us players have been used to waiting. We’re grinding it out at the Club, and even though it feels like the longest pre-season of my life, we’re a positive group and we’re ready whenever it comes.”
