The numbers behind Carlton's transition from AFLW darling to contender

The 2026 AFLW season has seen Carlton Blues make significant strides in their game style, transitioning from a focus on possession-based play to a more aggressive handball-based approach. This shift has resulted in a noticeable improvement in their performance on the field. In 2025, the Blues relied heavily on kicking the ball forward, with 61.3% of their possessions being kicked.

In contrast, the 2026 season has seen this figure drop to 54.4%. However, the team has made up for this by increasing their handball metres gained, with an average of 335 metres per game across the opening two rounds, up from 178 metres per game last year. This shift in tactics has not only improved their scoring but also made them a tougher team to defend against.

The key drivers behind this change have been the midfield trio of Mimi Hill, Abbie McKay, and Claudia Whitfort, who have helped the team move the ball with speed and hit handball receive options consistently. Additionally, the addition of Siofra O'Connell to the defensive line has strengthened their rebounding capabilities and scoring from defensive 50 score launches.

Dayna Finn and Amelia Velardo have also played crucial roles in the team's defensive transition. One of the most notable changes this season has been the shift in Carlton's play once inside their 50-meter area. While last year they relied on marking targets close to the goal, this year they are using space and ground-level forwards to score.

The inclusion of Nell Morris-Dalton as the key forward target and a supporting cast of smaller forwards has made it harder for opponents to defend against Carlton. Despite the fact that the team's marking numbers have decreased, the important mark statistics such as contested marks and marks inside 50 have dropped. However, with a solid defensive base and a more aggressive attack, Carlton is poised to continue its success in the 2026 AFLW season.