ALISON Downie knows all too well the level of excitement surrounding Round 1 of AFLW.
Debuting in the inaugural AFLW match against Collingwood, she saw thousands of Carlton fans fill the stadium as she took part in the history-making game.
“The feeling of that first game was just phenomenal," Downie said.
"Nothing will ever top it but at the same time it is exciting to have a new team and that sense of the unknown."
Round 1 will see Carlton once again kick off the AFLW season at Ikon Park, as it looks to continue an age-old rivalry against one of the competition's newest teams in Richmond.
It's a case of tradition reimagined for the AFLW competition, with the Blues and Tigers owning the season-opener slot for the AFL season over the last decade.
Preparation for her fourth AFLW season has looked a little more hectic than previous years, with Downie admitting that maintaining a balance is becoming harder as the professionalism in the league grows.
Despite expectations from both Carlton and her full-time job, she insists she is trying to get the most out of her pre-season.
“They’re really supportive, and the Club understands what I do during the day and work is really supportive too, so I’m getting it done,” she said.
With the Round 1 clash against Richmond at Ikon Park less than a fortnight away, it was clear that excitement is growing amongst the team.
“It’s always an unknown with AFLW because there is such movement around the clubs each year," she said.
"You just don’t know how people are going to play and what the game plans are.”
Last year, Downie proved to be an integral part of the team on and off the field, providing great leadership for her teammates while also proving herself as one of the leading rucks in the competition.
Having been introduced into the 2020 leadership group, Downie has embraced the new role, aiming to help her teammates with her own experiences in preparation for the 2020 season.
“For me, I’m looking to be as consistent as I can be and build on those little RFIs from last year. Making sure of second and third efforts, being consistent and the girls knowing exactly what they are getting from me each week," she said.
“That is the minimum I’m going to ask of myself. If I can do anything better than that, it’s a big tick for me.
“It was a good opportunity to let the young ones know. I don’t think a lot of people know what I’ve done and what I’ve been through prior to AFLW: I’ve been in professional sport for 20 years, that’s longer than some of these girls have been alive.
“I’d like to lead by example, provide an understanding of what it takes to be in professional sport for a sustained period of time and for them to be able to come to me for that sort of advice of when things get harder.”
