30 DAYS.

With just one month remaining until the Blues' first AFLW game of Season 9, pre-season preparations are in full swing.

Carlton will partake in a match simulation against Melbourne next Friday for its first outing against external opposition in 2024, before travelling to Adelaide for an official practice match and final dress rehearsal for the season proper which consists of 10 weeks and 11 rounds.

Taking the lessons learned from both matchups, the Blues' Round 1 clash then takes place against the Hawks on Sunday 1 September – the first time these two teams will meet in the AFLW competition.

Carlton will travel interstate three times during their home-and-away season, featuring trips to Mackay, Adelaide and Perth to face Gold Coast, Port Adelaide and Fremantle respectively.

The first home game of the season will be in Round 3 when all the action moves to IKON Park as the Blues face the Cats in what could potentially be Harriet Cordner's 50th game. 

Should all go to plan, Carlton will have three potential 50-game milestones, with Abbie McKay currently sitting on 43 games played in Navy Blue.

If the 23-year-old plays every game up to Round 6, she will run out for her 50th game at IKON Park against the Lions – the youngest-ever Blues’ AFLW player to reach the milestone.

Celine Moody is also set to play her 50th career games in 2024.

The Blues will finish off the home-and-away season with a bang, playing the old rivals back-to-back in Collingwood and Essendon.

The Bombers clash will also signify the league’s Indigenous Round, with Pride Round falling on the Blues’ interstate trip to Perth in Round 7.

There could be a host of Navy Blue debuts, with Lila Keck, Meg Robertson, Yasmin Duursma, Celine Moody, Tarni Brown and Jade Halfpenny all making their way to the Club since the 2023 season.

The Blues’ coaching panel remains relatively unchanged, with Glenn Strachan being elevated to Head of Development, while assistant coach Christina Polatajko moves to the defensive line.

Carlton midfielder Jess Dal Pos will join the panel as a development coach after an assistant coaching role for the Blues’ VFLW side, and Aasta O’Connor will now coach the forward line after previously working as the development coach.

With a strong focus on working with the VFLW team during their season, the AFLW squad has had time to hone their structure and game plan in match settings earlier than usual, looking to set up an emphatic start to the season in 30 days' time.

Keeley Sherar was a standout for the VFLW Blues, earning equal-second position in the best-and-fairest count last week after playing seven games and averaging 18 disposals and seven tackles. 

Other notable inclusions throughout the season include Mia Austin (six goals), Robertson (averaging 13 disposals) and the returning Maddy Guerin (averaging 18 disposals).