ON the back of a commanding 24-point win over Geelong in Carlton’s first home game of the season, co-vice captain Mimi Hill isn’t allowing herself to get caught up in the celebrations for long.
Although Hill is proud of her team for playing "Carlton footy" for four quarters, the Blues almost immediately find themselves turning their attention to Richmond, who they’re set to face at IKON Park on Thursday night.
Coming off a five-day break can be challenging for any footballer, while playing three games in 11 days is something which the Blues will have to be accustomed to over the next fortnight. Despite this, Hill said her side have spent a lot of time preparing themselves mentally and physically for the challenges that come with mid-week footy.
"We've had a lot of high-performance meetings about it, and we feel really well prepared for it," Hill said.
"We've been working hard at it through the pre-season just so our bodies are going to be ready. Our list is looking really healthy at the moment so that's good: list depth is a really big thing we're going after this year."
For Hill, the excitement comes from having another opportunity to play in front of fans at IKON Park under the glamour of lights. While this Thursday may technically be an away game for Carlton, Hill is ready for the physicality Richmond will surely bring to the Week 4 clash.
"We love contest and defence, that’s what the 'Baggers are about," she said.
"Richmond games can get a bit 'argy bargy', but we'll just bring the heat and play our brand."
Thursday's match against Richmond will also give Hill another opportunity to hone her craft in her new role on the half-back line, a role change that she’s been relishing.
"It's fun, I'm actually really enjoying it. I feel like it lets me use my strengths a bit more," she said.
"I love to get the ball to the outside and try to use my speed, so that's what I'm going after.
"It can't really happen unless everyone else gets to work on the inside, so I’m really grateful for my teammates for being able to do that."
While Hill's move to the back line has allowed her teammates in Maddy Guerin, Keeley Sherar and fellow co-vice captain Abbie McKay to flourish in the midfield, Hill revealed it took some convincing for Senior Coach Mathew Buck to buy in to the move.
"He didn't take me seriously at first," she said.
"At the end of last season, I was just kind of hinting to 'Bucky' that it could be fun for me to play on the half back line, and then in Round 10 he was like 'you know what, let's give it a shot'.
"I've been playing there all pre-season and it’s been really good to learn some new craft and add another string to my bow."
