YOUNGSTER Bridie Kennedy believes there has been plenty to learn from the Blues’ inconsistent second AFLW season.
Carlton travel interstate for the final game of their home-and-away campaign when it plays Fremantle on Saturday afternoon at Fremantle Oval. Reflecting on her debut year in the AFLW system, the 18-year-old said there was a number of key takeaways from the season.
“It’s not the exact result we wanted, but it’s just a learning curve for us. Hopefully next season we can find ways to improve and implement new methods,” Kennedy said.
“As a team, improving on working our lines better from our midfielders getting it to the forwards and ensuring the backline remains strong will hold us in great stead for next year."
The teenage utility is eager to improve on her three games this season, which saw her contribute impressively to the Blues’ backline. She hopes to continue to build her fitness levels, which Kennedy believes is key to taking her game to new heights ahead of the next year of the competition.
“For me personally I want to continue my running capacity, getting my fitness up and gaining more strength to be out there,” she told Carlton Media.
“It’s been such a different experience, definitely the physicality has been a major factor. I have to find ways to make sure I’m a bigger body on the field so I don’t get bashed around,” she laughs.
“I felt like I’ve made some sort of an impact in the backline and hopefully that’s evident.”
In Round 4, the Dandenong Stingrays alumni got a last-minute call-up to the side after Katie Loynes was a late withdrawal. Kennedy recalls the moment when coach Damien Keeping told her the news that she was to debut in the navy blue.
“It was such a last minute call-up against the Bulldogs, but I felt like I was mentally prepared and loved it,” she said.
“About 15 minutes before the game he (Damien Keeping) called me over and said ‘Bridie you know how I said earlier in the week this might be your chance? Well it’s your opportunity now and you're going to be out there'," she smiles.
Bridie Kennedy in action against the Demons, Round 6. (Photo: AFL Photos)
“I was still wearing my polo, I had to quickly get changed and run out onto the field."
In the AFLW off-season, the inaugural TAC Cup best-and-fairest winner will feature in Carlton’s VFLW squad, while off field she’ll continue her studies – hoping to become a PE teacher.
“I’ll be playing VFLW for Carlton so that will be throughout the normal footy season,” Kennedy said.
“They’ll be monitoring our workload to make sure we aren’t playing 12 months of the year, but I’m excited for VFLW this year, it’ll be good.
“It’s my third week of uni, it’s going well so far, I’m studying physical activity and health science so hopefully it leads to becoming a PE teacher.”
