CARLTON Football Club is pleased to announce Kristi Harvey will captain its inaugural 2018 VFL Women’s team, alongside vice-captain Katelyn Cox and deputy vice-captain Chloe Dalton.
Joining Harvey, Cox and Dalton in the six-player leadership group will also be three AFLW-listed players, who will rotate the responsibility throughout the season. Darcy Vescio, Tilly Lucas-Rodd and Sarah Hosking currently hold these roles.
The leadership structure was approved by the playing group and supported by Head of Football Andrew McKay and VFLW senior coach Shannon McFerran.
Hailing from South Australia, Harvey is an experienced leader and footballer. Voted in as co-captain by her teammates at South Adelaide Football Club earlier this year, the 29-year-old is also a 2017 Norwood premiership player.
Prior to crossing codes, the powerful forward played soccer for Adelaide United’s Lady Reds and held the position of goalkeeper for many years.
Named as vice-captain, Cox was recruited from Seaford and was a member of the winning side that took home the School Sports Victoria AFL girls championship in 2016.
Swapping the rugby pitch for the football field, this marks Dalton’s first season playing Aussie Rules. Formerly playing for Australia’s Women’s Sevens team, the 24-year-old won a gold medal at the Rio Olympics, and as deputy vice-captain, will help drive professional standards within the group.
Harvey said she was honoured to be announced as Carlton’s VFLW captain.
“Being named captain of Carlton’s first VFLW team is a really proud moment for me and it’s a role I am very grateful to hold,” Harvey said.
“The support I’ve received from everyone at the Club since I arrived from Adelaide has been amazing and I can’t wait to enter this next part of my football career at the Blues.
“I hope my previous leadership experience at South Adelaide and my professional sporting background will help me thrive in this role.
“I know Katelyn and Chloe will support me as captain, as well as the entire leadership group – we’ll all work closely together to lead this side in 2018.”
Left to right: Vice-captain Katelyn Cox, captain Kristi Harvey and deputy vice-captain Chloe Dalton.
VFLW senior coach Shannon McFerrran congratulated Harvey on her appointment.
“Kristi should be really proud of this achievement, clearly she’s already made such an impact on the group,” McFerran said.
“Her attention to detail, professionalism, maturity and of course her leadership qualities, made her a standout candidate for the captaincy.
“I know Katelyn and Chloe, along with the extended leadership group, will be terrific support for Kristi, with all leaders helping one another to grow in their roles.”
Harvey will lead Carlton for the first time this weekend when the Blues take on the Cats at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The match, which kicks off at 4:30pm, will act as a curtain raiser, before Carlton and Geelong battle it out in the AFL game at 7:25pm.
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