Carlton’s AFL Women’s coach Damien Keeping is keeping the lid on, despite the excitement of a big win over Melbourne in Saturday’s practice match at Ikon Park.
The Blues ran over the top of the highly fancied Demons in front of a great home crowd, prevailing 8.4.52 to 1.3.9 in a confidence-boosting win ahead of their season opener against Collingwood.
“The result is really pleasing so early on and gives us great reward for effort, however, we’re under no illusions to the fact that there’s a lot more work to be done before Round 1,” Keeping told Carlton Media.
“The work rate was really significant on the back of a hard pre-season building a strong fitness base to finish games well. The perseverance to find a way to get on top after being challenged early on was terrific.
Nat Exon displays the type of pressure which impressed coach Damien Keeping. (Photo: Carlton Media)
“The pressure early on was of a really high standard and we knew Melbourne would come out firing being the proud and talented group that they are.”
Looking ahead to Round 1, Keeping said a strong preparation and deep understanding of the Carlton-Collingwood rivalry would serve his players well.
“We’re really confident in our players to train hard and prepare well, but more importantly to wear the Carlton jumper with pride that ultimately reflects in strong performances.
“Every Carlton person knows that there's no bigger test than Collingwood on the big stage and our first game in this competition will be no different.”
Carlton takes on Collingwood in the inaugural AFLW season opener at Olympic Park Oval from 7:40pm on Friday 3 February.
