CARLTON AFLW senior coach Daniel Harford says the team has impressed since their return to pre-season over the past three weeks.

Speaking at the announcement of the Club's platinum partnership with Bioglan, he said he’s seen growth in the team already.

“It’s been pretty good. We’ve been excited with starting a new program - the girls were pretty keen to get back into it straight away," Harford said.

"The energy has been amazing. I’ve been appreciative of how they’ve gone about it.

“I think we’ve developed. In the last two weeks I’ve seen some improvements already. With another six to eight weeks under our belts we’re hoping that improves again to a pretty good level.”

Harford played 162 AFL games between 1995 and 2004, including nine matches with the Blues in his final year.

After taking the reins as the Blues’ coach following the 2018 season, he said he was extremely glad he had turned his sights on coaching women’s football.

“I’ve fallen in love with women’s footy over the last 12 months,” he said.

“When you’re surrounded by the energy that you are here with the way the girls appreciate what you do for them and also prepare for the games and the training sessions. You can’t help but fall in love and be intoxicated by it.”

With the Blues landing highly touted draft pick Madison Prespakis, father-daughter selection Abbie McKay and defender Jayde Van Dyk, they’ve boosted their young talent heading into 2019.

Harford said Prespakis was a great gets for the Club, there would be high expectation placed her and all of the new arrivals. 

“Maddy Prespakis is a super-talented kid. Like any draftee, be it a boy or girl, they have to show that they can step up to the next level. That’s the challenge for Maddy like it is for Sammy Walsh and any of the boys. 

“She’s showing signs at the moment that she is capable for dealing with the workload which is important for young bodies."