Carlton Supporters Club

We'll miss Jess Good, her presence around the ground has been outstanding.  Of course, Brea Harrington can do much the same and it will be interesting to see how young Maddison Torpey goes.  She is a good size for an AFLW ruck.

Good to see Erone Fitzpatrick named in the side.  Her injury last week must have just been a stinger.

Yes, it's a big change this week, Good has really been doing well negating the more athletic type rucks, and Breann has been very good in F50 as a reliable marking target from the turnovers we create. It would be sort of robbing Peter to pay Paul to take Breann out of F50, so I suspect we'll start the new girl and let our strong midfield do it's job sharking the ruck work.

Bucky has shown that he's not afraid to throw the team around ..............

You want to see how far the AFLW comp has come in its 8 years or so.
Darcy Vescio won the league goal kicking award in its first season, 2017 and again in 2021. (Probably should name it after Vescio as a result!)
Now Darcy is a run of the mill player in an average side.

The talent growth has been amazing, and will get better.

Quote from: kruddler – on September 05, 2025, 01:14:47 pm

You want to see how far the AFLW comp has come in its 8 years or so.
Darcy Vescio won the league goal kicking award in its first season, 2017 and again in 2021. (Probably should name it after Vescio as a result!)
Now Darcy is a run of the mill player in an average side.

The talent growth has been amazing, and will get better.

I wouldn’t say that Darcy is a run of the mill player.  She’s not as athletic as she was and the youngsters are improving their skills each season.  What Darcy has, and is standing her in good stead in her backline role, is footy nous in spades.  While the improvement in skills is continuing to build, most AFLW players are formulaic rather than instinctive.  That will change as the game grows but, for the moment, it gives Darcy an edge.

Harsh, Krudds, but probably accurate. Darcy isn't getting any younger, no matter how strong she may be between the ears. She is finding it harder to do the things she used to excel in. And she was never a tall forward, just a good one.
I'm glad that she seems to found some form and a decent place in defence, as she has been pretty average for the last couple of years. The Jack Silvagni of the AFLW side? Maybe. But I am happy to see her making a decent contribution after a couple of years of mediocrity.

Quote from: DJC – on September 05, 2025, 02:42:57 pm

I wouldn’t say that Darcy is a run of the mill player.  She’s not as athletic as she was and the youngsters are improving their skills each season.  What Darcy has, and is standing her in good stead in her backline role, is footy nous in spades.  While the improvement in skills is continuing to build, most AFLW players are formulaic rather than instinctive.  That will change as the game grows but, for the moment, it gives Darcy an edge.

Have you seen Darcy lately? There isn't much to get excited about.
Fumbles, can't stay on their feet.
Brain is quick, absolutely. Body less so. Skills no longer stand out. Size wise, Darcy is now one of the smallest out there.
Age catches up with everyone, injuries too, but Darcy 2025 is not one of the first picked in our team.

Hill, Abby, Keeley x2, Guerin, Bree are our best.
Then you throw in Good, Bohanna, Cordner, Finn, Ronny who are all offering more.
Thats half a side before we get to Darcy.
Darcy is average, in an average side.
That doesn't mean they are no good and need to be sacked.
But AA calibre, no longer.

Quote from: kruddler – on September 05, 2025, 03:44:46 pm

Have you seen Darcy lately? There isn't much to get excited about.
Fumbles, can't stay on their feet.
Brain is quick, absolutely. Body less so. Skills no longer stand out. Size wise, Darcy is now one of the smallest out there.
Age catches up with everyone, injuries too, but Darcy 2025 is not one of the first picked in our team.

Hill, Abby, Keeley x2, Guerin, Bree are our best.
Then you throw in Good, Bohanna, Cordner, Finn, Ronny who are all offering more.
Thats half a side before we get to Darcy.
Darcy is average, in an average side.
That doesn't mean they are no good and need to be sacked.
But AA calibre, no longer.

Actually, yes, I have watched Darcy quite closely and her footy nous more than makes up for her drop in athleticism.  Pay attention to her positioning, providing help defence, setting blocks, getting a hand in to cause a miskick, and making good use of her possessions. 

Darcy hasn't been close to AA standard since 2023 but she always attracts a strong opponent and her work helps her now more prominent teammates to shine.