THE KEY to Carlton’s success comes in finding consistent attacking options, with the Blues having a merry-go-round of tall forwards and experienced veterans, but have not been able to reach the heights of their 2019 AFLW Grand Final appearance. The Blues head into 2025 with some fresh and highly talented youngsters, and realistically should be in the hunt to compete for a finals spot.
LAST SEASON IN A NUTSHELL
Position: 14th
Wins: 4
Losses: 7
B&F: Keeley Sherar
Leading Goalkicker: Mia Austin, Breann Harrington and Keeley Skepper (5 goals)
OFF-SEASON MOVES
Ins: Aisling Reidy, Siofra O’Connell, Maria Cannon (Ireland), Tara Bohanna (Gold Coast), Lou-Lou Field (Western Jets/AFLW Draft), Sophie McKay (Sandringham Dragons/AFLW Draft), Poppy Scholz (Glenelg/AFLW Draft), Eliza Wood (injury replacement/Carlton VFLW), Madison Torpey (injury replacement/Box Hill VFLW), Charlotte Brewer (injury replacement/Collingwood VFLW)
Outs: Jess Dal Pos, Celine Moody (retired), Marianna Anthony, Lulu Beatty, Jade Halfpenny, Gen Lawson-Tavan, Taylor Ortlepp, Tahlia Read (delisted), Kerryn Peterson (inactive, pregnancy), Tarni Brown (inactive, medical)
2025 TEAM LIST
#1 Amelia Velardo
#3 Darcy Vescio
#4 Keeley Skepper
#5 Abbie McKay
#6 Gabriella Pound
#7 Poppy Scholz
#8 Eliza Wood+
#9 Kerryn Peterson*
#10 Mimi Hill
#11 Yasmin Duursma
#12 Jessica Good
#13 Siofra O’Connell
#14 Aisling Reidy
#15 Meg Robertson
#16 Breann Harrington (nee Moody)
#17 Dayna Finn
#18 Madeleine Guerin
#19 Erone Fitzpatrick
#20 Lily Goss
#21 Harriet Cordner
#22 Mia Austin
#23 Lila Keck
#24 Brooke Vickers
#25 Keeley Sherar
#26 Tarni Brown*
#31 Lou-Lou Field
#32 Charlotte Brewer+
#33 Maria Cannon
#36 Ciara Fitzgerald
#37 Maddison Torpey+
#42 Tara Bohanna
#49 Madeline Hendrie
#55 Sophie McKay
ONES TO WATCH
Key Player: Breann Harrington
Breakout Potential: Mia Austin
New Recruit: Poppy Scholz
After cementing herself as of the best rucks in the competition, Breann Harrington (nee Moody) spent time up forward as a target with her mobility and strength one-on-one really standing out. Without her sister Celine there, expect her to again spend more time in the ruck rotating with Jess Good up forward. Speaking of forwards, Mia Austin is on the verge of breaking out if she can find the consistency in her game. Her second season resulted in 11 goals from 10 games before being limited for opportunities last year and only kicking the five. One who has enormous upside just like top 10 draftee Poppy Scholz whp boasts elite athleticism and is a fantastic mark of the football.
2025 FIXTURE
Round 1: vs. Collingwood | Thur Aug 14 @ Ikon Park, 7:15pm
Round 2: vs. Hawthorn | Sat Aug 23 @ Kinetic Stadium, 7:15pm
Round 3: vs. Brisbane | Sat Aug 31 @ Brighton Home Arena, 5:05pm
Round 4: vs. Western Bulldogs | Sat Sep 6 @ Ikon Park, 3:05pm
Round 5: vs. Gold Coast | Sat Sep 13 @ Ikon Park, 2:35pm
Round 6: vs. North Melbourne | Sat Sep 20 @ Arden Street Oval, 2:35pm
Round 7: vs. Fremantle | Fri Sep 26 @ Ikon Park, 5:05pm
Round 8: vs. Geelong | Sun Oct 5 @ GMHBA Stadium, 3:05pm
Round 9: vs. Sydney | Sun Oct 12 @ Henson Park, 1:05pm
Round 10: vs. St Kilda | Sat Oct 18 @ Ikon Park, 7:15pm
Round 11: vs. GWS Giants | Sun Oct 26 @ Ikon Park, 3:05pm
Round 12: vs. West Coast | TBC @ Sullivan Logistics Stadium
PREDICTION
There needs to be a tipping point for the Blues where they go from showing promising signs, to delivering consistently, and it is hoped for Carlton fans’ sakes that 2025 is that year. On paper the Blues should be at least competing for a finals spot, and certainly no worse off than the top half of bottom nine. Add to the fact they only face one top nine team from last season interstate (Brisbane) among three trips, and somewhere between 7th-12th seems about right.
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