Went to the AFLW B&F tonight, very enjoyable evening. The approachability of the players is fantastic and their clear appreciation of the supporters sensational. By way of example, at least a half dozen players asked about the whereabouts of my 2 1/2 yo grandson who is always at the games with us.

The B&F went to Keeley Sherar in a landslide with Abbey McKay second despite missing several games and Jess Good third. Meg Robertson got rookie of the year and Harriet Cordner the coaches and players awards which is a testament to her popularity. Jess Del Pos was given quite a send off and spoke with obvious love for the club and intention to hang around. Watch this space.

Had good chats to Gab Pound, captain Kezz, Harriet Cordner, Bree Moody and others, in particular Lilly Goss, whose parents we were sitting next to and who were lovely people, even if mum is a Pies supporter. Also on our table were ex-mens players Tom Bell and Sam Rowe who were very friendly. Had a good chat with Tom, especially about the famous Port Adelaide comeback game where his mongrel goal joined with the three amigos, Gibbs, Armfield and especially the high-flying (sic) Marc Murphy to engineer one of the great comebacks. He reckoned that game and the Richmond game a couple of weeks later were the highlights of his career. Chatted about the mens team next year and he was concerned about the loss of depth players such as Owies and Kennedy and felt he wasn't sure we had replaced them for those periods where you have to go to squad depth.

All in all a great night, as it usually is, back at the Crown which was a much better venue in my view and the big room was well and truly packed.

2024 Carlton AFLW awards
Winner: Keeley Sherar - in a landslide
Second place: Abbie McKay
Third place: Jess Good
Equal fourth place: Mimi Hill and Maddy Guerin
Most Valuable Bluebagger: Harriet Cordner
Coaches Award: Harriet Cordner
Rookie of the Year award: Meg Robertson

I dont want to sound negative. As someone who watches these girls a lot. We are in dire straits if Jess Good is 3rd in the best and fairest.

While she has marginally improved, she is very robotic. I dont want to say too much more as i dont want to offend anyone who likes her.

But the club seems enamoured by her. Kezz and the coach at least. So with that in mind. I dont have high hopes for this team going forward with that mentality.

What has happened to this team. We have started like a house on fire. Its bad seeing very good ex players running around with other clubs. And we cant seem to attract very good players from other clubs.

Players we have are not the strapping athletic types that the good teams seem to have.

Dont know how seriously they are taking AFLW.