NOTHING left to do but play. 

Speaking to the media ahead of Calrton's Round 1 clash, AFLW Senior Coach Mathew Buck and leader Brea Moody said they had put everything in place – now it’s time to see how that translates to the field. 

Having a complete overhaul of the program during the off-season, the Blues are coming into the 2023 AFLW season with a new coaching staff, a new game plan and new elite standards. 

Buck believes his group has done everything they can to get the best out of themselves, and is hoping their pressure and determination will shine through in Round 1. 

“I’m looking for consistency with our players and our playing group and I think we’ve chased that throughout the pre-season in terms of our standards and the way we’ve trained,” Buck said.

“I’m a big believer in what you put in is what you get out and if that’s anything to go by, we’ll be fine.”

Moody echoed this sentiment, seeing first-hand the change the program has gone through since its inception in 2017.

An inaugural Blue, Moody has seen the progression of professionalism and resources in the AFLW, and is now reaping the benefits of a system that prioritises their training and life balance as elite athletes. 

“Getting to training and not feeling fatigued after having worked a long day or studied all day, you’re on the job from the get-go and know your priority for the day is footy and that you’re going to get the most out of it,” Moody said. 

“We’ve been through a lot in the off-season and this pre-season but the way this group has taken it in their stride has been incredible.”

The buzz at IKON Park is palpable with the upcoming AFLW season and AFL finals season about to commence, with both Buck and Moody hoping that the vibe will carry into their game. 

With a sea of Navy Blue looking to pack out Carlton's home on Saturday, Buck hopes the team can put on a show and keep the good momentum going. 

“There’s a big build-up to Super Saturday with the boys here training in the morning and then our game in the afternoon – it’s a big whole Club feel at the moment which is super exciting,” Buck said. 

“Our playing group is excited to get out there and play finally after a long pre-season and now put in all the hard work to finally get to this point.”

Agreeing with the sentiment, Moody admitted the feel was unlike anything she had experienced in her time at Carlton. 

“It’s very powerful to be heading into Round 1 with the men's program leading into finals, the buzz around the Club is amazing,” Moody said. 

“It’s a special feeling and something that heading into my eighth season, I haven’t experienced before – I’m looking forward to what the next few weeks will bring.”

The threat of Gold Coast is daunting for Carlton, but Buck believes the work they have put in over the pre-season will hold them in good stead.

Noting a few key players that carry their values onto the field, the young Blues seem to be leading the way in terms of standards and action. 

“I’ve been really impressed with Mia Austin: she’s come back from a broken ankle last year and only played two games, so her recovery that she put in was exciting. Now that she’s hitting the ground running, she’s performed well in the first two practice matches and is getting better every week,” Buck said.

“Keeley Sherar is the other one, who I bang on about a little too much to our playing group! But when we talk about contest, that’s where she starts her game and that’s something I really enjoy.

“[Gold Coast is] going to be a hard side to play against but going into Round 1, we’re really focusing in on us and what we need to achieve to get it done.”