04:30

Press conference: Jagga's first as a Blue

Jagga Smith spoke to media after his selection as pick No.3 in the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft,

THE Game Changers will kick off AFLW 4.0 against new foe Richmond.

The Blues will be looking to put their grand final woes to bed with a strong start to 2020.

Details: Ikon Park, Friday, February 7, 7.45pm EDT.

Broadcast: Fox Footy, Channel 7 and 7mate from 6:30pm

The Game in focus:

With Richmond playing their first AFLW game, Tigers supporters will no doubt be eager to see how the newcomers fair.

Boasting talents like Katie Brennan, Sabrina Fredrick and Monique Conti it will be about how Richmond gel against proven a Carlton outfit.

Carlton will have four players debuting, all of whom have settled seamlessly into the team.

Joanne Doonan, Lucy McEvoy, Vaomua Laloifi and Grace Egan will all pull on the Navy Blue for the first time this Friday night.

What to watch:

2019 AFLW Rising Star and Carlton best and fairest winner Maddy Prespakis will feature in the midfield, eager to pick up where she left off form-wise.

Katie Loynes and Kerryn Harrington will take the field as co-captains for the first time, leading the young playing group through the nerves of Round 1.

Loynes will take charge from the center while Harrington will feature across half-back.
 
Breann Moody had a solid VFLW season with the Blues, averaging 23 hit outs and four tackles a game.

AFLW assistant coach Shannon McFerran had nothing but praise for the ruck, stating she worked on her “fitness and ruck craft”, and considers her a “player to watch”.

Player in focus:

No.2 pick Lucy McEvoy will make her debut for the Blues in Round 1, a utility player who will not be confined to one position.
 
The Geelong Falcons’ captain for the past three seasons, McEvoy was an All Australian in 2019 after starring in the NAB League, the NAB AFLW Under 18 Championships (Vic Country) and VFLW competition (Geelong).
 
Bound to become a leader in years to come, McEvoy will be looking to show off her talent in her first game on the big stage.

Blue View:

Despite being Richmond’s home game, capacity considerations mean the match will be played at Ikon Park.

This works well in the Blues' favour, the surroundings nothing new to them after three with the stadium as their home deck.

A familiar environment for fans and players alike, the ‘Baggers will be out in full force to support the girls.