DEBUTANTES galore pays off.

Evie Lee enjoyed her Carlton VFLW debut with a win, and it’s definitely going to be a game she’ll remember forever.

Previously named as an emergency in Rounds 3 and 6 of the 2024 VFLW season, Lee made her debut in the Navy Blue in their three-point nailbiter against the Cats.

“I played a couple of games in the practice match and got that feel for what it’s really like,” Lee said.

However, the 18-year-old isn’t shy of experience at this level, having played for the Darebin Falcons last year whilst still playing in the Coates Talent League for the Northern Knights.

“Having some experience last year with Darebin, it had given me that real insight into what it’s like,” she said.

“Training and playing are very different, but finally actually being able to go out with the team I train with today has been such a great opportunity and I really enjoyed it, it was so good.”

Lee was Co-Captain at the Knights last year alongside AFLW-listed Carlton player Lulu Beatty. 

They have now been joined by current Captain Holly Ridewood who also debuted with her Knights teammates in Hannah Scott and Zoe Hargreaves.

The three new members of the Blues had breakout games, all making significant impacts on the field at several moments, Ridewood named as one of the best for the game.

“It was great that we got our opportunity to play. I’ve played with those girls before at Knights a couple years ago,” she said.

“It was good to see how much they’ve developed as well not only as people but as players, their ability to just win the contest, they were just so good today.

“I felt honoured to be playing alongside them.”

The third quarter is where the home side really won the game, having dominated in their forward half and turning their defensive pressure into another gear.

The Blues scored two goals that term compared to the Cats’ single point to push out the lead to 10-points. Still having the momentum at the start of the fourth quarter, the Blues kicked their third goal in a row and gained an immense amount of confidence.

“Our pressure to be able to play a front half game and that ability to be composed to find a mark as well allowed us to play forward and get that score result as well,” she said.

“The initial part of the third quarter, I think most of the team really came together to get that pressure in and I think that just set off the momentum.

“As well as the start of the game, the first clearance that we won and then that entry forward just got that momentum so we were able to keep producing off of that.”

The confidence running through the Carlton side didn’t last for long as Geelong began to claw back the deficit placing Carlton under the pump.

However, the young side maintained their composure when placed in tough situations and adapted to what Geelong was changing in the fourth quarter. 

Game smarts came into play for Carlton, maintaining possession of the ball to deny their opponent another scoring opportunity.

“We moved our midfield around to adapt to their extra player behind the contest in our forward line and our backline was composed,” Lee said.

“We took that first option and played a bit safer.”