WHILE Will Setterfield’s first pre-season at Ikon Park may have been a daunting one, the new Blue is relishing his new surrounds.
On the comeback trail from an ACL injury, Setterfield enters his first year as a Blue hoping to make his mark in his new colours.
And although the road to a return to full training has been an arduous one, the 20-year-old is optimistic about what’s to come.
“I’m tracking well with my knee. There’s a few more boxes to tick, but I’m looking to get back with the main group in the next month,” Setterfield said.
New recruit @mmcgov11 will be reintegrated into training over the coming weeks, while there's also an update on Jarrod Pickett. #BoundByBlue
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) January 10, 2019
Helping Setterfield along the way has been the approach from his coaches and fellow players — those who were essentially unknown to the youngster just three months ago.
After finding his way to his club of choice in last year’s trade period, Setterfield said his opening months at Carlton have been “exactly what [he] thought it’d be”.
“I’ve loved it, it’s been really good,” he said.
“All of the boys have been really welcoming and the Club has been amazing: it’s been a great couple of months.
“I’ve made some really good friends already, and the physios have been really good in helping me with my rehab.”
Handed a famous Carlton number over the off-season, Setterfield is focused on writing his own future in the No.43 guernsey.
Alongside a number of exciting young midfielders, Setterfield said he couldn’t wait to get stuck in.
“One of the main reasons I came to Carlton was to play with a good, upcoming midfield group,” he said.
“There’s ‘Fish’ and Paddy Dow, then Stocker and Walshy coming in, and learning off Patrick Cripps and Marc Murphy — that was one of the main things.”
With a Swan and an Adonis before him, @willsetterfield is focused on making his own history in the No.43.#BoundByBlue
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) January 4, 2019
With his two AFL games under his belt from his opening season at GWS, Setterfield has been tapping into the knowledge of the Carlton coaching group in preparation for the 2019 season.
“All of the coaching staff have been influential for me already,” he said.
“I’ve been working with John Barker, Cameron Bruce and Brent Stanton as the main midfield coaches here.
“Because I haven’t been fully involved, it’s been watching vision and that sort of thing. I’ve been trying to get my head around the new system and structures.”
