When Lauren Arnell woke up on Tuesday morning you could forgive her for thinking what transpired the night before was a dream.

Appointed as the first captain of Carlton’s women’s team, the announcement was made during a special presentation in front of the entire playing group prior to their training session at Ikon Park.

After Carlton’s Head of Football Andrew McKay revealed Arnell would lead the squad in 2017, the new skipper addressed her teammates, fittingly underneath the words ‘game changer’, which are etched on the changeroom wall.

Since arriving at the Club at the start of last year, Arnell has played an integral role in Carlton’s early successes in the AFLW; being the Club’s first-ever Visy Female Football Ambassador and helping the Club secure its AFLW licence. 

Then at the end of August last year the 29-year-old was signed to the Club as a priority pick – a pinch-yourself moment for the midfielder who was always destined to pull on the navy blue.

“Every moment with this club has been really special, and this is another moment that I’ll get to reflect on when I’m a little bit older,” Arnell said after being named captain.

“Being a part of the bid to get a team, to getting the team, and now living each day being a part of the first-ever women’s team – everything has been really special.” 

Although she described her appointment as humbling, the already decorated player will bring a wealth of experience to her new role as skipper. Arnell is a nine-time premiership player for Darebin Falcons, six-time Victorian representative, three-time All-Australian, and played in all five exhibition games for the Western Bulldogs.

Lauren Arnell in action for Victoria. (Photo: AFL Media)

“One of the only advantages of being older is that you can’t buy experience,” Arnell said.

“I think I’m one of the fortunate players to have had this amount of experience going into AFLW and I’m sure that’ll help me along the journey and the other girls in the team.”

Women’s senior coach Damien Keeping says it is also Arnell’s natural leadership style and commitment to the Club that makes her perfect for the role as captain. 

“Lauren shows a willingness to invest in others and she really understands where the game has been and where we as a collective can take the game,” Keeping said.

“She’s able to influence others on that pathway and that was really attractive to us from a leadership perspective.”

Lauren Arnell says she's humbled to be the Blues' first-ever women's captain. (Photo: AFL Media)

Lining up alongside Arnell as vice-captains will be Brianna Davey and Madeline Keryk - two players Arnell is very pleased will be supporting her as she leads the team throughout the season.

“Bri and Maddy are both amazing people on and off the field and certainly very talented footballers,” Arnell said.

“I love having them in my team and I think they are going to learn and grow a lot themselves.”

The challenges and expectations of being named the first captain of Carlton’s AFLW team are not lost on Arnell, stressing all the opportunities and exposure garnered through the competition should not be taken for granted. 

Visit the Carlton AFLW hub for more news, videos, player/coach profiles and more

“I hope every girl is thinking about what they can take from this experience,” Arnell said.

“For me it’s going to be a big learning curve, I’ll gain a lot of knowledge and be influenced by a lot of really awesome people. At the end of the day I just want to stay true to being me whilst I continue to learn and grow.”

Such opportunities will only continue to present themselves to Arnell with the countdown to Round 1 truly underway. The opening game on 3 February against arch-rival Collingwood at Olympic Park Oval is just under three weeks away.

Lauren Arnell attacks pre-season. (Photo: AFL Media)

As the opening siren sounds to mark the beginning of the competition, Arnell will face her first test as Carlton captain, but that doesn’t compare to the excitement of pulling on the jumper for the first time.

“To think that we as a group get to run out in the navy blue and represent this club, it’s unreal.”