ALISON Downie, Katie Loynes and Darcy Vescio will all play their first games of the VFLW season this Saturday.

The star AFLW trio will bolster a strong Carlton outfit for the Round 12 clash against Melbourne University. 

The Blues will benefit from the leadership and tenacity of Loynes, while the physicality of Downie in the ruck is bound to give the midfielders the advantage around the contest.

One of those in the midfield could be the returning Vescio, who is looking to use her experience and football smarts to be an added threat to Carlton's on-ball brigade. No stranger to kicking goals in the VFLW competition, Vescio will also be a great addition to the forward combination of exciting duo Sidney Cubasch and Bry Gurr. 

It might be the off-season for the AFLW, but a new role for @sarah_hosking10 is definitely keeping her busy. #BoundByBlue

— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) July 23, 2019

Carlton could also look to livewire Jess Hosking to help them kick a winning score, with the versatile 23-year-old kicking three goals against Williamstown last week.  

The Blues will head into the game looking to replicate the form which saw them finish strongly in that convincing 33-point victory over the Seagulls.

Northern Knights premiership duo Gab Newton and Britney Gutknecht (23rd player) round out the inclusions, having also featured for Vic Metro in the NAB AFLW Under-18 Championships. Both are ranked strong chances to find their way on AFLW lists come October’s draft.

Gab Pound, Nicola Stevens, Charlotte Wilson, Georgie Parker and Jaime Nelson have made way from the line-up.

The Blues will go into the clash confident that they have the players and game-plan to match it with the best, and will be looking to keep this momentum rolling against the MUGARS.

Saturday’s game starts at 11:50am at Arden Street, with fans able to tune in to the live stream on the VFL website.

Round 12 

Carlton v Melbourne University

Saturday 27 July, 11:50am

Arden Street