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Cordner, who was named in this year’s All-Australian squad, said the team had perfected the balance between hard work while also leaning into the fun side of footy.
“Over the years, I’ve probably swayed a little bit too far to the serious side, but this year I’ve really leaned into some of the young girls and the spirit they’ve brought and their ability to have fun,” she said.
“So it’s helped me feel really free on the field and I think it also helps the young girls being able to play footy and not stress too much about the occasion or the outcome.”
One of Carlton’s most exciting young players is 19-year-old Sophie McKay – daughter of Carlton great Andrew McKay and sibling to captain Abbie.
McKay has kicked 15 goals in her debut season but her antics after she kicks a major have garnered her a legion of fans.
Between her fake hammy injury turned “stanky leg” to her fake shoulder injury into the shimmy, McKay’s post-goal celebrations have garnered thousands of views across social media
“She’s [Sophie] such a character, she’s always asking people for celebration ideas and I tried to tell her she should do the moon walk, but she couldn’t do it in her boots,” Cordner said.
“She’s a really good example of someone who has come in willing and wanting to work and improve all the time.
“But she’s also got a good balance of just enjoying the experience and her energy brings other people along, which is a really great quality to have in a person and also a player.”
If you need any further indication of Carlton’s infectious energy, just take a look at the fans filling Ikon Park over the past few weeks. This year, an average 2563 have attended AFLW games. However, Carlton’s recent semi-final win over Hawthorn pulled 5645 fans.
Little kids wait near the boundary lines to have guernseys signed by players such as Darcy Vescio or Scholz, while others hope to grab Mimi Hill’s prized boots or socks.
Carlton’s cheer squad is even making the 17-hour drive to Brisbane this weekend to cheer on the Blues.
Fun and games aren’t the only thing behind the Blues’ rise.
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Cordner arrived at Princes Park in 2023 – the same year Carlton wrapped up their independent review into their AFLW program after a disappointing two seasons with minimal wins. The review led to high staff turnover including the departure of several players and coach Daniel Harford.
For Cordner – who played at both Melbourne and Richmond – Carlton’s investment in the women’s program, including employing full-time high-performance staff and coaches, has been pivotal to their success.
“I’ve obviously played at two other clubs, and every club does it really differently, but I think the way the whole club has backed the W program in since the review has been really evident to me,” she said.
“I think we’re reaping the rewards of that investment from two years ago and seeing it come to fruition.”
The next hurdle ahead of the Blues is Brisbane, whom they beat in Queensland earlier this season. But the Lions are finals veterans – this will be their seventh straight preliminary final – and are backed by some of the most experienced players in the comp.
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While Cordner acknowledged Carlton’s lack of finals experience, she said the Blues were ready to take the fight to Brisbane.
“We’re both playing a really exciting brand of football, I think it’s going to be a cracking contest.”
And whenever Cordner tries to do mundane tasks, like washing the dishes or getting ready for bed, she feels a thought creeping into her consciousness.
The Blues are one step away from playing in a grand final.
“The cliché thing would be to sit here and say ‘no I don’t think about it’, but I absolutely do,” she said. “I think it’s really hard not to jump to that and think how amazing that would be.”
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