IT ALL starts again this Sunday.
There’ll be something fairly unique about Carlton’s return to AFLW action this Sunday, taking on Hawthorn at Frankston’s Kinetic Stadium in what will be the first clash between the two sides since the Hawks’ inception three seasons ago.
For Harriet Cordner and the Blues, the excitement is palpable heading into the new campaign, having just experienced what she tongue-in-cheek described as a “nice long pre-season for us”.
When the Blues run out for the AFLW’s ninth season after a nine-month wait, the team will be out to build on the solid foundation set under Mathew Buck in year one.
With an extra game this AFLW season, fresh faces and - crucially - the Blues no longer starting from scratch, Cordner provided an insight when speaking to RSN about what the Blues could provide in season 2024.
“We’re very hard at the contest, that’s something we’ve gone to work on over the off-season. Some of our young talent that have come on board, they’ve had two [practice matches] plus three or four games in the VFLW to learn the game plan and implement some of those things,” Cordner said.
“We’ll be hard at the contest, hard to play against and hopefully we’ll put some scores on the board.
“We’ve gone to work on valuing scoring this year, it was evident that was an area we struggled in. It comes down to being able to execute the game plan for longer, not just being able to defend and be in the contest but being able to work the ball to the outside, get it into the forward line and complete those scores.
“That’s definitely something we’ll be able to see this year, plus bringing in some new talent will support that.”
That new talent has been in action during the pre-season practice matches, with new Blues Lulu Beatty, Yasmin Duursma, Jade Halfpenny, Celine Moody, Lila Keck and Meg Robertson all getting game time with their new teammates against typically strong opposition in Melbourne and Adelaide.
Tarni Brown was the only recruit not to feature as she recovers from a calf injury.
For Cordner, the “kids” in Lulu and Lila are among those to keep an eye on for the future.
“Lulu Beatty was on our list last year but has been injured. She’s come in, has had a really good pre-season, got her body right and gone to work on her high-performance habits in her daily life. We’ve seen that in her two practices match — I think she’s a really exciting one to watch.
“Our draftee Lila Keck brings good energy. I can call her a kid, because I’m not a kid anymore! She’s come through and has played through the ranks, she’s a natural footballer. For her to be able to apply herself to our game plan, live life like a footballer and an athlete, we’ll see her come on in leaps and bounds this year.”
And there’s another emerging Blue who was mightily impressive 12 months ago that Cordner has had first-hand experience with over the lengthy pre-season.
“[Mia Austin] is ready to go, I think we’ll see her take a few more strides in her game. I’ve trained against her in every session — so I’ve got her ready and firing.”
