CO-VICE captain Mimi Hill is no stranger to leadership.
At the age of 16, Hill was selected to captain the Oakleigh Chargers in her bottom-age year.
Then last year – in just her fourth season in the Navy Blue – Hill was appointed as co-vice captain, where in the final two games of the season she stood up as sole captain following injuries to fellow leaders Kerryn Peterson and Jess Dal Pos.
“It was a real honour,” Hill recalls.
“I remember walking out to the middle of the ground and just being like ‘this is really cool, little Mimi would be pretty pumped’ looking around the ground and doing the toss.”
Since being drafted in 2020, Hill has quickly established herself as a key role player in the Carlton midfield with plenty of accolades to show for it.
First taking out the AFLW Rising Star in season 6 following a return from an ACL injury to then winning the Carlton AFLW Best and Fairest the following year.
Now approaching season nine of the NAB AFLW season – her fifth season – Hill’s looking forward to leading beyond her on-field performances, now focusing on utilising her voice both on and off the field.
“The past 12-24 months, I’ve been going after being confident in my voice within the group," she said.
“I know that I have a pretty good footy brain, but [it's now about] expressing that to the group so they understand really clearly.
“I’ve lifted my voice a lot on the field this year so I’m hoping to bring that in games, not just at training.”
Hill further cites a conversation she had with her former co-vice captain Jess Dal Pos, who admired Hill’s ability to read the energy of her teammates and know whether she needs to inspire a lift.
Being a part of the Blues' leadership group again will be extra special for Hill this year, with the addition of midfielder Abbie McKay as Hill’s co-vice captain, who Hill has developed a strong relationship with since becoming a Blue.
“When I first got drafted, I didn’t have my license so ‘Abs’ would have to drive me to train and we were little 18 and 20-year-olds just trying to get a game”
“But it’s cute to look back on it now because we’re leading together.”
Though the two are similar in their contested midfield game, their leadership styles and demeanour on the field can be quite different.
While McKay has been described as 'the chill one', the two believe the juxtaposition of having both approaches in the middle will allow them to effectively communicate with their teammates in different ways.
'I like to think that other people in the midfield and all across the ground can look to us and feel calm -- even though we’re a bit stressed sometimes, but hopefully we give that vibe."
