“THERE’s a hell of a lot to learn for us.”
Coach Daniel Harford has praised his team’s effort for their stellar efforts throughout the 2019 season.
Written off by many after finishing bottom of the table during the 2018 season, the Blues defied the odds to fight their way to the top of Conference B and into their first-ever Grand Final.
The Crows, who entered the game as outright favourites, did not disappoint the 53,034 strong home crowd, putting on a dominant display to run out 45-point winners and claim their second Premiership.
While they may not have been able to go all the way, Harford knows that this group – with its mix of experience and new players, has built the foundations necessary for future success.
“We came up today against an amazing football team,” Harford said post-match.
“Sometimes you get beaten by really good footy teams.
“I know there is a hell of a lot of disappointment in the room at the moment, and so there should be – they don’t hand out opportunities to play in a premiership very often. You’ve got to earn them which we did.
“We learned a hell of a lot about ourselves and the ability to rally, contend and compete when people thought we were no good. People thought we couldn’t.”
It was this ability to rally when the odds were heavily stacked against them that Harford was particularly proud about.
"Today hurts, but that's footy. We'll be back bigger and better." - @darcyvee#BoundByBlue
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) March 31, 2019
The Blues not only saw the individual growth of players such as Brianna Davey, Madison Prespakis, Georgia Gee and Kerryn Harrington — they also were able to form a bond arguably unrivalled by many other teams in the competition.
“We built a squad that was able to be out there week in, week out, be there every single week and trust in a system that they were brand new to,” he said.
“To get that level of buy-in so quickly from a group of players that had not been anywhere near successful in the previous couple of years was a great sign that things are moving forward for us as a footy club and as a group.
“We sit here really disappointed at the outcome, but we absolutely hold our heads high at what we’ve been able to build in the last nine weeks of footy.”
On a personal level, Harford should hold his head high after a memorable first year as a senior coach.
His ability to bring the Blues success, and instil a culture centred around community saw Harford voted by his peers as the inaugural AFLCA AFLW Coach of the Year earlier in the week.
For Harford, however, the joy of being able to come into work and help his players develop their skills is a great enough reward.
“I had that year at the Pies and then I thought ‘this is something that I really want to do’,” he said.
“Looking back, it’s one of the best things that has happened in my footy career.
“To be a part of the atmosphere and environment like we have in the AFLW, and it’s not just within the clubland. It’s league-wide, there’s a real sense of goodwill and development and achievement throughout the whole competition.
“It’s lovely to be a part of that.
“To be a part of an environment like this has been really special. It’s welcoming, it’s warm, it’s family, it’s community. There’s a hell of a lot to like about this.
“More than that, it’s working with athletes that are desperate to be better. They’ll listen, and learn and be open to feedback, and criticism, as well as planning and development.
“I’ve absolutely loved every single minute of it.”