IN an early look at the upcoming AFL Women’s 2021-22 season, Draft Central checks out each of the 14 clubs over the next three weeks ahead of preseason commencing. Next up is Carlton, a side that missed out on finals with the five wins from nine matches.

LAST SEASON:

Position: 7th
Wins: 5
Losses: 4
Draws: 0
Points For: 415 (2nd)
Points Against: 330 (8th)

Carlton provided plenty of highlights throughout the 2021 AFL Women’s season, scoring the second most points of any side, and the only other team with Adelaide to surpass 400 points (415). Their percentage was far superior to any of the bottom seven sides, but only picking up the five wins hurt, falling a win and percentage outside the top six sides. Despite bringing in some more experience such as Elise O’Dea, the Blues could not quite get going, losing their first two games and being 3-4 until making a bolt late to win their final two matches, only to fall short.

OFF-SEASON:

Ins: Jess Dal Pos (GWS GIANTS), Annie Lee (Geelong Falcons), Keeley Sherar (Eastern Ranges), Brooke Vickers (Oakleigh Chargers), Imogen Milford (Casey Demons), Jess Good (Sturt)

Outs: Chloe Dalton, Katie Loynes (GWS GIANTS), Tayla Harris (Melbourne), Jess Hosking (Richmond), Jess Edwards, Winnie Laing, Alison Downie (delisted)

Carlton will head into season 2021-22 with one of the youngest lists, bringing in a quartet of teenagers following a busy off-season. Four best 21 Blues all found new homes, with Chloe Dalton and Katie Loynes heading to the GIANTS in exchange for Jess Dal Pos who will provide some stability and leadership across the field. Tayla Harris was one of the most talked about players leading into the off-season and managed to land at Melbourne, whilst a last minute deadline deal resulted in Jess Hosking heading to Tigerland to join twin sister Sarah. With three others delisted – including ruck Alison Downie who went to Collingwood – the Blues needed to restock at the draft. They picked up talented defenders Annie Lee and Brooke Vickers, with slick midfielder Keeley Sherar and athletic key position talent Imogen Milford – who finished second in the VFLW goalkicking – all recruited to the club. With and additional selection, the Blues picked up Sturt’s Jess Good to help the ruck stocks, with the dual code player – also a superb basketball – making the jump up to the AFLW.

2021-22 TEAM LIST:

Lauren Brazzale
Jess Dal Pos
Grace Egan
Georgia Gee
Serena Gibbs
Jess Good
Maddy Guerin
Charlotte Hammans
Kerryn Harrington
Mimi Hill
Courtney Jones
Mua Laloifi
Annie Lee
Lucy McEvoy
Abbie McKay
Imogen Milford
Breann Moody
Elise O’Dea
Nat Plane
Gab Pound
Madison Prespakis
Keeley Sherar
Nicola Stevens
Paige Trudgeon
Brooke Vernon
Darcy Vescio
Brooke Vickers
Brooke Walker
Daisy Walker
Charlotte Wilson

KEY QUESTIONS:

• How will the Blues deal with the loss of experience and influx of youngsters in 2021-22?
• Can Lucy McEvoy get a clean run at it to add that extra element to the Blues’ midfield?
• Could Jess Dal Pos be the difference for the Blues in providing composure in the back half?

PREDICTION:

Carlton has no troubles scoring, it showed that by being the second highest scoring side, and Darcy Vescio winding back the clock with a sensational season. With plenty of talent through the midfield, Carlton is always a threat for the title. They are a fair bit younger than in previous title challenges, but with Daniel Harford at the helm, anything is possible. They recruited to cover positions in the back half of the ground, as well as key position options, and if the playing list can remain fit, i is hard not to see them in the conversation for finals.

Picture credit: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos