THE LADDER leaders proved too good on the day.

A constant figure in Carlton’s VFLW side this year, Isabella Parnell will continue facing an unfamiliar challenge over the next few weeks -- watching from the sideline.

Currently battling a short-term injury, Parnell said it’s strange seeing the game from a different perspective but finds it extremely beneficial to her game development.

“It’s definitely different, it just gives you a whole different angle in the game,” Parnell said. 

“I’ve got a lot of elements I need to work on, and I feel like I can gain a lot from watching and build up some resilience.

“There are girls who have been on the sidelines for a lot long, so it gives me a different perspective and a lot of respect for my teammates who have been injured.”

Sitting at IKON Park watching the Hawks dominate the second half, Parnell felt helpless watching on, able to identify the issues with the set-up from afar. 

The area that hurt Carlton the most was their defensive structures, letting Box Hill play off the ball and into the backspace too much for their liking.

“We let them out the back: we have a real defend first mindset and that just dropped off,” she said. 

“We just let [the Hawks] run all around us and let them play uncontested footy.”

The home side is still developing cohesion amongst their brand-new list (only having six remaining players from their 2023 list).

Not having any AFLW talent feature in their team since Round 6 has been a challenge, however, the opportunity to train with experienced players has been ongoing, learning from the elite athletes.

The 18-year-old said the inclusion of more knowledgeable heads on game day changes the whole environment by having that figure to look up to on and off the field.

“It’s giving our VFLW players a different opportunity,” she said. 

“They provide a lot of leadership and guidance on the field and they’re all incredible players.”

Parnell praised the defender's work ethic and their determination to win the ball, as well as the speed on which they attack the play week in and week out. 

Carlton’s efforts are represented by 'going out and playing like Simone Mooney'. 

Mooney got taken down in a sling tackle in the opening six minutes of Carlton’s 60-point loss to Box Hill. She hit her head on the ground as she came down, forcing her off the field to do a concussion check.

Luckily for Mooney, she was cleared and was given the ‘all good’ to return to the field during the third quarter ending the game with 13 disposals, four clearances and three tackles. 

Parnell idolised Mooney’s work ethic to return to the field and attack the ball with as much strength as she does.

“Just her grit and determination on the field, there aren’t many players who can say they go and hit contests as hard as she does,” she admitted.

“Glenn (Strachan) often says ‘go out and play a little bit like Sim’ because she gives it 100 per cent all the time. We’re really lucky to have her.”

Carlton will want to go play like ‘Sim’ and flip the narrative ahead of their Round 11 clash with Casey at 12:00pm (AEST) on Saturday at IKON Park.