THE GAME Changers are once again heading into foreign territory as the sixth season of the AFLW competition fast approaches.

For Senior Coach Daniel Harford, it’s all about controlling the controllable.

“I just hope the players and all the people that have put in so much hard work get some reward for effort,” Harford told 3AW Breakfast.

“Who knows what’s going to happen: we’re very much in the hands of the AFL and the governments around Australia as to how it all looks and what it might look like so we’re aware that we have zero control over what it might be over the next 12 weeks.”

“It’s a matter of controlling what we can and trying to find a way to get out there and play footy.”

With the AFL releasing guidelines designed to minimise risk of Covid exposure and allowing matches to be rescheduled based on minimum availability of players, depth and cohesion will be key factors for AFLW lists.

“The games will go ahead unless you can’t field a team of 21 and that includes a list of top-up players so effectively the squads go from 30 to 35,” he said.

“Until that time comes when you’ve got basically half your list out under protocols, the game goes ahead.”

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Despite the looming uncertainty, this hasn’t put any dampener on Carlton’s pre-season.

“The players have been fantastic for the last three or four months that we’ve been training – they’re a really positive group and they just want to get out there and play,” he said.

By their own admission, the Game Changers didn’t quite meet expectations last season but with a new season comes fresh hope and renewed energy.

As for players to watch out for?

“I’m looking forward to seeing what they can all do," Harford said. 

“Darcy [Vescio] is an absolute ripper and they’ve been training the house down so I can’t wait to see what 'Darce' can give us this season.

"Maddy Prespakis we know is a jet through the middle of the ground and she’s had a huge pre-season, as has our skipper, Kerryn Harrington.

"Elise O’Dea, our recruit last year - there are some really positive signs for her in 2022.”

The Game Changers open their 2022 season this Sunday against Collingwood at IKON Park at 4:10pm.