Let me just say this. If I had no access to the current games nor did I see the results and heard both 'Carlton' and 'grand final' in the same sentence, I wouldn't believe anybody. No matter if it were the men or women, I'd be testing myself on whether this is reality. I mean could anybody blame me here? I came into this world straight after the last pot of gold and have seen much failure, nearly to the point where anything better seems too good to be true. Some fans have the luxury of feeling confident and knowing their team can achieve certain things, especially when history is on their side. But for most others including myself, we have to see things to believe them. This is the case with the Carlton women, who have gone on to surprise all and participate in their first grand final after coming off a wooden spoon. It's only been a day or two and it still somewhat feels surreal to me. A Carlton side a step away from the ultimate prize. My beloved Carlton Football Club. It ain't the men, but it is still incredibly meaningful.
The story of the Carlton women's team so far is a short but significant one. One already with highs and lows. It started out as a remarkable initiative by Steven Trigg to lead the club in becoming more inclusive. To increase the female demographic of both the membership and regular supporter bases. To join the right and recognise the newfound opportunity that allows girls and women all around the nation to play Australia's greatest sport. It was a turning page for Carlton that was brought forward by a man who like the club, was in search of forgiveness after past mistakes (which would've made the work behind this all the more easier). This move immediately screamed success and it wasn't just financially. The club looked for any positive route. It was small steps in winning back respect. Respect from me. Respect from fellow supporters. Even respect from the league and general public. The blues gave it everything and delivered a high-quality portfolio to the AFL. Judging by the news surrounding their initiative at the time, the blues were always destined to get the tick of approval.
Things were looking very promising before the very first AFLW match. It was a chance at growing new relations and seeking new paths to glory. It was discovering the brilliance girls could offer, with some already having done so. Brianna Davey arriving from the Australian women's national soccer team, became a defensive stalwart and the first 'best and fairest' winner. Darcy Vescio, someone with a little more experience in footy led the competition in goal-kicking and also won mark of the year. The two marquee players were named in the 2017 All-Australian team. When women's footy didn't look as exciting as I hoped, the abilities of these two ladies kept me hanging around for more. I was interested in seeing how these women could dominate. Who else will step out of the shadows and bedazzle me? AFLW was raw and flawed, but it carried so much potential. Through my dear Carlton Blues, it was hope and greatness I found good enough to wait around for. The inaugural season of the Carlton women's team was one worthy of praise despite just three wins and no finals.
So what went wrong after the first-year pass mark? Well it all started with the first official off-season, when reports told us of Carlton's hard chase for Brisbane marquee player Tayla Harris and Collingwood's first draftee Nicola Stevens. A couple of highly-rated players with big price tags. What's wrong with this one would ask? It wasn't hard to see what the blues were doing here. No hesitance in sacrificing valuable draft picks. No hesitance in throwing any lesser known players in a trade. Carlton was simply wanting to add more and more star factor. It was targeting any high-profile players it could and relying solely on them to deliver the goods. Sound familiar? The idea of ripping stars away from other clubs with big deals? Reminds me a little of the outdated strategy from good old arrogant Carlton. The club with not much care for player development. The club that would much rather buy its way to a flag than build to one. From here I well and truly knew the strategy was going to backfire. They'll get the girls, but there would be a steeper price to pay than what picks and players they give up for them.
Now comes the part where I say 'I told you so'. The 2018 AFLW season saw pressure on Carlton to improve given the two new star recruits. And things looked alright... for a very short time that is. A round two win against GWS was soured by the loss of new captain Brianna Davey, having ruptured her ACL. From then onward, the symmetry between the male and female teams started to show. The loss of a star or two for teammates to depend on. The loss of communication and direction. The more humiliating defeats. Breaking the wrong records. The AFLW blues did not win another game for the season, and went on to finish dead last. Some of the girls ended up little frustrated. Some girls broke down in tears at the very end. A couple considered leaving after the disappointment. One of them as reported by the media being the captain herself. To think that I saw the tragedy coming from a mile away and the club themselves, couldn't. But I'll hand it to them for quickly figuring out that changes had to be made, starting from the coach.
Walking into year three, most of us supporters were simply hoping for better from the two squads after both finished rock bottom. I in particular was still deflated, not expecting a lot from either team. This was especially the case with the AFLW, now two new clubs were entering the competition (Geelong and North Melbourne) and raiding the existing ones for talent. With the shallow talent pool becoming even shallower, I went on to believe that it was going to be hard for the Carlton women to improve. That more disappointment and more suffering was right around the corner. But then along came Daniel Harford, proving to us all that it wasn't entirely a cattle problem. The girls were fine and many had high ceilings. They were however, anchored down by confusion. There was clear uncertainty and no proper plan in sight. What did this Carlton team want to be defined by under Damien Keeping? Was Carlton here really a team? We can now be grateful for the fact that these questions don't need to be answered. Harford has helped with putting the past behind us. He has achieved what no blues supporter expected; a grand final berth.
The short-term journey was one with a rough start. A convincing loss to a new star-studded North Melbourne footy team. Coming with the defeat were messages of ridicule regarding the expectations of continued failure at Ikon Park. The beginning of more embarrassment for the club. What ran through my mind was the stress and worry of going through the pain again. But here is where I have to praise Harford and the girls. They are much stronger than I am, mentally that is. They never dropped their heads. As each week went by, they performed better and better. When things went wrong, they immediately searched for the solutions. From the midfield stock to the conversion rate in front of goal. The evolution of the navy blue women was visible to the naked eye. So much so, that one can argue the round 1 team being something completely different from the one coming off a preliminary final victory. The ladies might not be standouts when looking at footy from the distance, but we all as people can learn a thing or two from them. They have taught me that there is always hope, even for the men. When times are tough, we prove to be tougher. With the right management, the right plan and the right people involved, nothing is ever impossible.
My view of the game.
The short-term journey was one with a rough start. A convincing loss to a new star-studded North Melbourne footy team. Coming with the defeat were messages of ridicule regarding the expectations of continued failure at Ikon Park. The beginning of more embarrassment for the club. What ran through my mind was the stress and worry of going through the pain again. But here is where I have to praise Harford and the girls. They are much stronger than I am, mentally that is. They never dropped their heads. As each week went by, they performed better and better. When things went wrong, they immediately searched for the solutions. From the midfield stock to the conversion rate in front of goal. The evolution of the navy blue women was visible to the naked eye. So much so, that one can argue the round 1 team being something completely different from the one coming off a preliminary final victory. The ladies might not be standouts when looking at footy from the distance, but we all as people can learn a thing or two from them. They have taught me that there is always hope, even for the men. When times are tough, we prove to be tougher. With the right management, the right plan and the right people involved, nothing is ever impossible.
My view of the game.
Women's footy in general may not be as much of a spectacle when compared to the men. The skills are poorer, the pace is slower and the games are shorter. But what is important to remember is that these women were first denied any chance to completely grow up with the game. The most passionate of girls were forced to give footy up and find other sports that interested them around their adolescent years. This is why most of the women in this competition are code-hoppers. Some that are playing are even way older than the men, as they are basically making up for the time they lost not playing the sport. They may not have complete knowledge of the game. They're more likely to make simple mistakes. The scores are going to be lower as the women learn to become cleaner with every passing year. People complain, but little do they know the men were exactly the same around the late 19th century (a time when the game was still a work in progress). So I tell those who do so to just wait. The women are going to be so much better at footy in ten years time, especially now that young girls are getting the chances the current AFLW players never received. The competition will evolve and become better. It has already proven it's on the right track this year.
There are three types of reactors when it comes to women's football. We have the passionate people who follow the girls and support them like they do with the men. Then there are those who don't care for the women, but respect their love and interest for wanting to play. Last of all, there's the cruel minority that discriminate with no proper or justifiable reasons. All should know which category I choose to sit in. If not, allow me to further explain. Carlton to me, is not just a bunch of boys kicking a ball around. It's a family. When Trigg and the blues put forward their aim to be inclusive, they were too calling for us to do the same. Any Carlton team is one part of a much larger picture. Like every football club, the blues are a single entity with a single goal; to be successful. That's where I come in. I don't care whether if it's men, women, or even a wheelchair team (though Carlton do not have one of these). I will support anyone with a big enough heart, along with a great knowledge of the game that puts on that navy blue guernsey with the iconic CFC monogram. I will support anyone that cares about taking the family forward to experience bigger and better things.
One thing is for sure. These young females certainly don't deserve vulgar commentary from everyday people. They shouldn't have to be sexually objectified nor should they be treated any lesser compared to their male counterparts. We have come too far to still be acting this way. Take the most recent incident regarding Tayla Harris. A photo captured by Michael Wilson (further down the page), showing Harris in her goal-kicking action was posted on social media. But after a number of highly offensive comments, the photo was taken down. One doesn't have to see most of the comments to know they would've been absolutely repulsive. I only had to see one of them to feel sickened. Somebody made a joke out of these professional athletes and menstruation on the field. It led me to questioning the mentality of these people. Why do they think like this? Why do they persist in saying such rubbish? Don't they see the obvious outrage that will spark from it? As for the handler (or handlers) of the 7AFL twitter page, the initial decision to remove the photo was a bad move. It was a move that signified capitulation. A victory for the inhumane. Thankfully, the right voices were heard and the photo was posted again. The ideal move would have obviously been to moderate what's said. But personally, my approach would be a little more extreme.
If the power were in my hands, I'd actually allow for these comments. There is a freedom of speech, and one can choose to say whatever they like. Doesn't make for a pretty sight, but I don't stop here. While actions speak louder than words, both have one thing in common. They can come with major consequences. Just because I allow for these comments, it doesn't mean that I approve them. The fact is I don't. My next step is further publicizing these disgusting messages. Share them everywhere I could. I'd allow for other members of the public and social media to name and shame these people. I hope to be getting the virtuous to point the finger and serve justice. I mean, sure ignoring them is an option. But that doesn't encourage the offenders to discontinue their inappropriate behaviour. They make the choice to publish their content online. If they do it anywhere within my access, I wouldn't at all be afraid of throwing them further into the firing line. They are pretty much wanting for this. Why should I care about what happens to them? Most important lesson of social media is much like a basic arrest. Anything one says can be used against them. The shooter is more at risk than the target.
One thing is for sure. These young females certainly don't deserve vulgar commentary from everyday people. They shouldn't have to be sexually objectified nor should they be treated any lesser compared to their male counterparts. We have come too far to still be acting this way. Take the most recent incident regarding Tayla Harris. A photo captured by Michael Wilson (further down the page), showing Harris in her goal-kicking action was posted on social media. But after a number of highly offensive comments, the photo was taken down. One doesn't have to see most of the comments to know they would've been absolutely repulsive. I only had to see one of them to feel sickened. Somebody made a joke out of these professional athletes and menstruation on the field. It led me to questioning the mentality of these people. Why do they think like this? Why do they persist in saying such rubbish? Don't they see the obvious outrage that will spark from it? As for the handler (or handlers) of the 7AFL twitter page, the initial decision to remove the photo was a bad move. It was a move that signified capitulation. A victory for the inhumane. Thankfully, the right voices were heard and the photo was posted again. The ideal move would have obviously been to moderate what's said. But personally, my approach would be a little more extreme.
If the power were in my hands, I'd actually allow for these comments. There is a freedom of speech, and one can choose to say whatever they like. Doesn't make for a pretty sight, but I don't stop here. While actions speak louder than words, both have one thing in common. They can come with major consequences. Just because I allow for these comments, it doesn't mean that I approve them. The fact is I don't. My next step is further publicizing these disgusting messages. Share them everywhere I could. I'd allow for other members of the public and social media to name and shame these people. I hope to be getting the virtuous to point the finger and serve justice. I mean, sure ignoring them is an option. But that doesn't encourage the offenders to discontinue their inappropriate behaviour. They make the choice to publish their content online. If they do it anywhere within my access, I wouldn't at all be afraid of throwing them further into the firing line. They are pretty much wanting for this. Why should I care about what happens to them? Most important lesson of social media is much like a basic arrest. Anything one says can be used against them. The shooter is more at risk than the target.
They say that pictures paint a thousand words. They aren't wrong there, because this one certainly does. Well... probably not a thousand for me, but definitely enough to make an impact. There have been many photos taken of the AFLW, but this one really does it for me. Not only does it prove the athleticism of Tayla Harris, but the athleticism of women in general. It tells us that women can play footy as well. They can do the same things as male footballers and have the potential to do them just as effectively. This photo tells me that both strength and physicality don't discriminate and that it varies between women exactly the same way it does in men. Not to mention this was taken at the perfect time. Mid-air with her right leg near the highest point. A kicking style and a level of flexibility that astonished much of the nation. It even brought about envy. I've lost count of how many responses made a hamstring reference. We also have to remember that this was taken during the time Harris kicked a goal from 45 metres out on a slight angle. Worth all the praise it gets. And these are the words from a 22-year-old male (at the time of typing this up). Amazing isn't it?
Now back to the mighty blues...
We are all seeing the story play out right in front of us. Carlton's ladies have come straight from the depths of despair to restore the faith into each and every blues fan. 2019 has been a season about joy and solidity, complete with perseverance and great belief in the process. Something that even Bolton and the boys can take notes from. This feel-good story goes beyond Harford. It was the team having seen both the mistakes and the losses, learning how to fix them and knowing where to begin. The result is a complete turnaround, worthy of all the recognition it receives. I call it a fairy tale. But perhaps the most daunting question of them all is whether the 'fairy tale' is what it is, especially given the controversial conference system and the way things have panned out. According to many, Carlton are not deserving of their spot in the big dance. Are these people right? Is the tale of the sudden rise tainted by such an idea? Well expect an interesting answer from me. Yes, and no.
Consider me one of the majority who deems the conference system of 2019 both a disgrace and a major flaw to the game. My stance on the problem however doesn't in any way strike my rational thinking. It's simply going with the flow. To accept the season for what it is and follow it the way all the teams do. In an ideal world, Carlton's chances of finals participation would either be a miss with the unchanged fixture or an ongoing battle to pass the edge in a longer and fairer competition (facing every team once). But the fallout was what it was. Some teams were left to fight harder than others. With the help of a little luck, the navy blue women were smart enough to take advantage of the situation when they could. Are they deserving of this wondrous occasion that is the 2019 AFLW grand final? Of course they are. They followed the rules. They took what they were given, and delivered enough to get themselves into the position they are currently in. One thing I will accept is those responsible for the conference system weren't to know how it would play out. In fact, very little of us knew what would happen. Unfortunately, it did end up going pear-shaped. However, Carlton should be praised for the fight and smarts to reach the decider rather than be condemned for what they have no control over.
Too each and every Carlton supporter within my reach, I highly encourage to get behind the girls. Women's footy may not seem as interesting, but these young ladies are wearing our colours. Best not to look at them as girls, but as Carlton. They are a vital part of the club. They bring around new people and give more to the existing population. They would love for people to return the favour. To support them in adding to the club's achievements. They are one challenge away from potentially winning some shiny silverware that will further beautify Ikon Park. They are also one challenge away from completing the perfect 'Zeroes to Heroes' narrative. The challenge though will be tough, as it is against the hot favourites in Adelaide with one of the best female players going around in Erin Phillips. Most likely I expect them to be too good for us and take home the ultimate prize. However, the challenge is not impossible. The heart bleeds blue and beats strong. A win would be a dream come true and a loss would be disappointing to some extent (especially with the hard yards that have been put in). But regardless of Sunday's result, our lovely game changers have found themselves in a safe spot. I say this because they have already defied the odds, achieved redemption and won back respect. Anything more is just icing on the cake. A fairy tale nonetheless. Good luck ladies! We wish you the very best.
Travis "TJ" James
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