CARLTON will be looking to dictate the way the game is played from the first bounce when they take on Adelaide this Sunday at Ikon Park.

After a detailed review of last week’s loss against the Kangaroos, the Blues are confident they will be able play the game on their own terms and implement the game plan they believe will lead them to success this year.

Midfielder Jess Edwards trusts the Blues will be able to improve drastically this Sunday and build on the good work they have done throughout the pre-season.

“It was a disappointing start for us to the season,” Edwards said.

“We’ve definitely got a lot more to prove coming up against Adelaide. We want to play the game that we want to play, and that we’ve been training for the last eight weeks. 

“Hopefully we can execute that and just keep going forward. 

In her first game of AFLW football last week, Edwards was given the tough role of tagging star midfielder Emma Kearney.

Edwards displayed her natural football talent, keeping the 2018 AFLW Best and Fairest winner to just one possession in the first quarter while also sneaking forward to kick an exciting goal from the boundary.

A tough assignment for anyone – particularly someone in their first game – Edwards is confident that playing on the best will reap its rewards and help her own development as a midfielder. 

“[Emma’s] a very experienced player, so I just knew that I had to stay tight with her at all times,” she said.

“She loves the second pass ball, so I knew I had to keep up with her. 

“I definitely took where I need to be positioning in certain aspects of my game. I just took what I could and made sure I did my role for the team.”

Putting aside the first game nerves of last week, Edwards and the rest of the Blues are looking forward to the opportunity to play in front of a home crowd at Ikon Park. 

Both teams will come into the game with extra motivation and looking for their first win of the season.

For Edwards, the added opportunity to play in front of family, friends and the Carlton faithful will add extra meaning to the game and will drive her and the team even more to perform on the big stage.

“We’ve got our first home game of the season against Adelaide at Ikon Park,” she said. 

“It should be really exciting, and we should be able to bring a crowd.” 

“I’ve got family and friends coming, and I know a lot of the girls do as well. I think we should be able to put on a show for everybody.” 

Join the Blues at Ikon Park this Sunday when they take on the Crows. Game starts at 4pm, and entry is free. Click here for more details.