GAMES

2020: 7 Career: 7

BY THE NUMBERS (averages in brackets)

Kicks: 44 (6.3) Handballs: 34 (4.9) Disposals: 78 (11.1) Marks: 25 (3.6) Tackles: 11 (1.6)

OVERVIEW

From pick No.52 in the 2019 NAB AFL Women’s Draft to a key defender in Carlton’s rock-solid defensive mix, Mua Laloifi will look back at 2020 with great joy.

Tireless in her pursuit to make it at the top level of the competition, Laloifi overcame an ACL injury in her fifth game of VFLW football with Collingwood to reignite her career with the Western Bulldogs VFLW side, where she was a key player in the 2019 VFLW Grand Final.

03:01

AFLW R1 | Mua recaps Navy Blue debut

Vaomua Laloifi recaps her debut performance following Carlton's win over Richmond.

In 2020, given her opportunity, the Samoan-born defender made the most of her chances, hitting the pre-season with intent and intensity and not missing a game in her debut season.

Often playing as the spare defender down back, Laloifi was instrumental in the Blues’ ability to shutdown opposition forwards and quickly transition from defence to attack.

A willingness to ‘get-and-go’ drove a free-flowing play from the backline and became an exciting feature of her game. 

BEST PERFORMANCE

Laloifi seemed to get better with every week after debuting in the season opener.

As the Game Changers looked to overturn the disappointment of the 2019 decider, Laloifi rose to the occasion when the Blues came up against the Crows in the Grand Final rematch.

Standing tall in defence, Laloifi was pivotal in helping the Blues respond to repeat entries by the Crows’ strong midfield into their attacking 50.

Taking up the role as the spare defender, the 26-year-old took a career best eight marks and collected 14 disposals along the way.

Alas, it’s also important to mention her showing in Round 6 against Melbourne, where she was awarded the most prestigious honour of all: the chocolate frog.

05:45

BTGC Podcast | Mua on overcoming knee injury

Vaomua Laloifi discusses overcoming injury to end up a Carlton AFLW player.

SEASON HIGHLIGHT

Hard work pays off.

With a non-traditional pathway into the sport, a recovery from an ACL and the drive to go back through the VFLW system, Laloifi would have treasured the moment her name was called out by the Blues during the 2019 NAB AFL Women’s Draft.

While she had to take the long route to get onto an AFLW list, she didn’t have to wait long after that for her first senior gong. She enjoyed her first game and first win in front of over 15,000 people at Ikon Park.