CARLTON AFLW defender Kerryn Harrington believes the new faces around the team have rejuvenated the playing group.

Over the off-season, the AFLW team has seen almost a complete overhaul of its coaching panel, with new coach Daniel Harford leading the changes.

Along with him, Harford has brought in women’s football legend Shannon McFerran, former Carlton forward Brad Fisher and former Port Adelaide defender Steven Salopek.

Harrington said those changes, along with a group of new players, have had an optimistic effect on the team heading into AFLW 3.0.

“It’s completely freshened and brought new ideas to the girls,” Harrington said on The RoCo Show with Rohan Connelly on Macquarie Sports Radio.

“At this point of the season everything’s been incredibly positive and we’ve made a point of putting last season behind us. 

“We learnt from the mistakes we made and the group has matured a lot in the off season.”

The new coaching panel have brought with them a different plan for the Blues this pre-season, which was showcased in their free-flowing practice match against Geelong on the weekend.

“There has been a huge focus on ball-movement and how we seamlessly get it from defence to attack,” Harrington said.

“We also want a little more composure when we’ve got possession in the back-line and execution of skill going into the forward-line.”

Not only will a fresh game plan contribute to bigger scores, but Harrington thinks the rule changes will see more goal scoring this season.

The AFL introduced a number of rule changes in the off-season, including an extended goal square and altering of boundary throw-ins.

Harrington says the changes have been well-taken by the playing group.

“The rules brought in haven’t taken long to adjust to,” she said. 

“It’s helpful given our short pre-season and not a lot of practice matches to be able to implement the rule changes.”

“They are going to allow for more speed through the middle and certainly quicken the game up and give more scoring opportunities.” 

After being taken as a rookie in the 2017 draft, Harrington was thrown from midfield into key defence last season when captain Bri Davey went down with an ACL injury.

It offered Harrington the chance to cement herself in the team and her promotion to the leadership group signifies her rapid rise to seniority.

Harrington says she has taken the leadership appointment in her stride.

“I’ve really embraced that role and I’ll transition it to the on-field,” she said.

“I’ll be that communication point between the players and the coaching staff (in defence).”

Going into the opening game against North Melbourne on February 3, Harrington says she’s prepared following a positive pre-season. 

 “We’re looking forward to that challenge,” she said.

“North are going to be up and about in their inaugural game. We’re going to have to be ready and on our game from the first bounce.”

Carlton kicks off its AFLW 3.0 campaign on February 3 against the Kangaroos at North Hobart Oval.