THE Blues won’t be getting caught up in the emotion of last week’s win, according to in-form defender Kerryn Harrington.
Carlton is preparing for a top-of-the-table Conference B clash against Geelong this Saturday after returning to the winners list against GWS last weekend.
Harrington has been one of the stars for the Blues so far this season, registering coaches votes for the second consecutive week for her performances down back.
Clarity in her role and an extra year in her system is what the 26-year-old puts it down to.
“I’ve taken on the role on in the back-line and tried to be a real general and focus, helping the other players along,” Harrington said.
“It’s about understanding my role and trying to implement the things that Steven Salopek and ‘Harf’ want me to implement in-game.
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“When we’re playing well, the back-line is the one generating that ball movement going forward and we’re priding ourselves on that.”
After a fourth-placed finish in the best and fairest last year, Harrington’s form has been something out of the blue: she crossed over from basketball prior to the 2017 season.
Harrington believes her experience in the Women’s National Basketball League with the Bendigo Spirit is something which has added to her football — as have the AFLW’s new rules
“Going back to my basketball days, being behind the ball and setting up the play going forward really transitioned me well into my role down back,” she said.
“There wouldn’t be too many that would disagree with the fact that the new rules have opened up the game and allowed for that attacking style we’ve tried to implement.
“The run-and-carry I’ve been able to get has been helped by rules like the kick-out rule, where we can gain more ground. There’s no doubt it has helped me and the team in the way we want to play.”
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With widespread changes taking place over the AFLW off-season at Ikon Park, Harrington forms part of a new-look defensive make-up which has set up and stood up in recent weeks.
She was full of praise for the new additions, saving a special mention for defensive partner Jayde Van Dyk.
“Jayde has been one that’s been a standout for us. We knew what we were going to get — her form throughout the VFL season saw her win a premiership and a best-and-fairest for Hawthorn,” she said.
“We’ve also got some pretty exciting young kids that are coming through and should get an opportunity to show what they can bring in coming weeks."
As the Blues steadily build their way through the season, Harrington said the team would keep a level head as the AFLW competition approaches the business end.
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“Coming off a win, the team is more up-and-about compared to previous weeks off a loss. We were really happy with the performance against Adelaide and we felt that was a turning point for us,” she said.
“We’ve review the game from the weekend, we were really happy with a lot of the things we tried to implement but looking forward there are things we want to improve on.
“That attacking, high-scoring game is what we’re after and we’re going o put things in place to further that this weekend.”
The two teams in the Round 4 clash have differing fortunes last weekend, as Geelong endured a heavy loss to Adelaide.
While Harrington said Carlton would focus on its own strengths, they expected its hosts to come out firing.
“Their form has been a similar point to ours, it’s been a little up-and-down. We had a good look at them in the practice match in pre-season,” she said.
“We’re sure they’re going to come out firing ready to win on their home deck, as we will to try and continue our winning form from last week.”