“THE girls put a mountain of effort into getting better and each year we’re fitter.”

Carlton defender-turned-forward Nicola Stevens has been impressed by the quality across the league in the lead up to next week’s season opener against her former side Collingwood.

Speaking on RSN Breakfast on Wednesday morning, Stevens reflected on 2020 and the improvements that came from an isolated lead into pre-season.

“By ourselves to begin with, from September we were all running around with GPSs - so we had to put in the hard yards quite early by ourselves and that put us in a really good position when we came back together as a group in November,” Stevens said.

“We’ve been pretty lucky, we’ve had to navigate a few different policies and procedures and training in small groups but all in all it was really great that we were able to get to know our teammates a little bit more, the new girls as well and work with our line groups.

“It actually wasn’t too bad: we were just really keen to be back to footy and back to doing what we love.”

The biggest change the experienced Blue has noticed heading into her fifth AFLW season is the improved fitness and professionalism across the league.

From stalwarts to new recruits, Stevens is looking forward to more growth throughout 2021 as the Blues chase a consecutive finals berth.

“We’re now going into season five, every single year girls are just looking to get better and better and while we’re still part-time athletes, you wouldn’t even know it,” she said.

“We’ve got the new young talent coming in that’s just phenomenal, like the young girls that have just come into our side have just fit in so seamlessly.

“They’ve got such elite skills and such a good fitness base already and it’s just so exciting for the next few years - it’s going to be really, really cool to watch.”

As far as preparation for next week’s season opener goes, opposition analysis poses a challenge with only last week’s practice match performances to go on in 2021.

The Pies defeated the Kangaroos by 12 points in their pre-season hitout, building confidence heading into the traditional clash to kick off the 2021 season.

It will be the third time the Blues and Pies have kicked off the AFLW season at Ikon Park.

“It’s been a long time, it’s been 10 months since we’ve seen anyone play and teams change every year,” she said.

“All I’ve heard is that Collingwood played a really good game against North Melbourne and I think we can expect things to be a little bit different for them this season and it will be a really competitive game.”

“We’re ready to take the challenge and really excited to be playing against them.”