From being in the stands to being on the field, Amelia Velardo shares her Carlton story. 

The defender has been supporting the Blues alongside her family since childhood, with the Carlton community always a big part of her life.

Originally drafted to Collingwood back in 2020 as pick number 20, later that year she was offered a position at the Blues. The rest, is history.

The 2025 season marks her fourth in the Navy Blue, becoming known as a versatile player who even though is in the backline, can be pushed forward when needed. 

Velardo is a compassionate player who is an emerging leader of the Club and volunteers her time with the Adam Saad Pathways Girls Academy.

"Carlton's always been a big part of my life. I was born and bred a Carlton supporter and in a really passionate Blues family, I think my memories of Carlton probably tie back to just, wearing Chris Judd's jumper in my backyard and having a kick with dad," she said.

"He was definitely my favourite player and I had the number five on my back whenever we'd go to the G and watch the Blues play, so some really fun memories there of supporting the Blues when, I was going out with my dad.

"He just loved Carlton so much and tells me stories now when he used to come to IKON Park and watch the boys play, so really special now that he gets to watch me run out in the same colours.

As Velardo reviews making the move the Blues, she recalls being impressed with what the club had to offer not only facility-wise but how she could grow as a player. 

"The facilities were like incredibly impressive, when I came to the Blues and I had that first tour after trading over from the pies," she said.

"It was just a decision that I made for myself at that time and I thought was best for me at the time in terms of opportunities and growth both on the field and off the field.

"It's been an incredible place for my growth since... I think it's really special to see the comparisons. I brought my family here for the tour as well before making the jump over. I made them compose themselves walking through the halls, but to see and hear about the differences there were in the facility from the days that dad and mom used to come and watch the boys play here to now, it was really cool to hear.

"I think like there's a big misconception that part of the reason why I came here was because that I was a supporter. I think it was a cherry on top, but it definitely wasn't the big driver of it. Now that I am here and I have had some time here, it's really special that I can share that with my family and have the love that we grew up with for this club."

Remembering the very first moment she ran out onto IKON Park was not only a big moment for herself, but one for her family to cherish. 

"Even the first practice game we played on the MCG against Melbourne a few years ago, that was probably a really emotional time for my family, seeing me run out and for me running out in that jersey and putting it on for the first time, it was incredibly surreal and really special for me, knowing the significance it has for my family as well," she said.

"When mum and dad were supporting, there was never even a consideration for them that their daughter would be playing for the Blues let alone running around IKON Park, that just adds that extra element to it and it's something I'm really proud of."

Being a part of the Blues for four seasons now, she has seen the club and team develop into the team we know today. 

She expressed how lucky she is to be working with her best friends and how friendship can be valuable on and off the footy field.

"I love my team so much. I think we're in a really special place at the moment where we have so much connection and just raw belief with what we're doing and in each other. It's something that you don't always see in a team and I think that camaraderie and connection is contributing to the way we're playing at the moment," she said.

"You get to rock up to work with, 30 of your best friends, so it's a really special place to be and it just makes you want to work harder for the people around you, both on game day and putting in those extras and lift a bit heavy in the gym when you can when the person sitting next to you is someone you really care about and you want to go into bat for."

Looking back on the history of the club, the importance of the old stands, she wants to continue the legacy of the Carlton Football Club.

Being a part of the 10th season of the AFLW has a special significance in football history, Velardo sharing her memories of when she saw the first game air on television. 

Today, she is part of the the history the team is creating and the ongoing movement of women's football.

"So much history within these walls, and I think we're all really aware of that, even just from the heritage stands and being in these sorts of areas of the stadium, there's so much just culture here that runs through, and I think we do a little bit of work as well about the history of Carlton and what that means to us and how we can continue that legacy," she said.

"Especially being the 10th season of AFLW, hearing about that first game for those of us who were either watching or some of the girls just were so young at that time as well. I know what it meant to me to see that first game televised and to be honest, that was a big catalyst into me moving into footy.

"I think to dive into that history and then understand, the significance of this place and role it's played in women's football and the progression of our game, is incredible and it's a privilege to run out here every day."