NOBODY could’ve expected 2024 would pan out the way it did for Cooper Lord — not least, the man himself.

While Carlton’s players sat down to review the year as a whole, Lord instead spoke on the goings on since May, given it was only for the last few months of the season where he found himself at IKON Park.

The mid-season draft is now a staple of the AFL landscape: you only need to look at Jordan Boyd at the Blues as a reminder of that. 

But it still didn’t change the fact that from that night in late May when Lord’s name was called out by Carlton’s recruiting team, everything changed for the Blues’ newest No.36.

“It’s been amazing, a pretty crazy couple of months,” Lord told Carlton Media upon the conclusion of the season.

“The season ending does bring about a bit of reflection which is nice. Getting a few opportunities to play AFL footy was pretty cool and something I won’t forget.”

Did he ever consider this reality a possibility? “Not in my wildest dreams. Certainly not.”

This time last year, Lord was a draft hopeful coming off a Coates Talent League premiership — coincidentally, at IKON Park. He wasn’t selected, and eventually found himself signed to North Melbourne’s VFL team.

The inside midfielder who prides himself on hard work did exactly that, and come the end of the 2024 AFL campaign, Lord wasn’t only on a list . . . he was an AFL player. He earned his debut in the final fortnight of the season, and proved he could rub shoulders with the likes of Patrick Cripps, Sam Walsh and George Hewett in the Carlton midfield. 

While he didn’t want to put any expectations or pressure on himself coming in, the thrill of what he experienced and the taste of the elite level has made him so much hungrier for more. 

“It was ridiculous. I would’ve learned more about football and about the game in that short period than ever before.

“It was a really amazing learning experience for me to be part of at the back end of the year, where it meant a lot to the Club. I take great pride that I was able to go out there and have an impact.

“While it was so exciting and a dream come true, it filled me with a lot of confidence going into pre-season that I can compete at the level. It’s shown me what’s required.”

AFL Senior Coach Michael Voss spoke glowingly of the youngster when looking back on the season, mentioning that the way he had come in and assimilated with the environment was a highly impressive, welcome surprise. 

For Lord, his own take on what’s stood out the most stems back to the Blues’ open training session prior to the elimination final.

“You definitely feel the presence of the fans, it’s so amazing. I’ve never been a part of something that has so much support and love behind it.

“It’s been pretty crazy. That open training, I’ve never trained in anything like it. It was pretty amazing and I’m so excited for what’s to come.”