AHEAD of a weekend away at Queenscliff, Carlton defender Gab Pound says the annual AFLW training camp won’t imitate a seaside holiday.

Instead, she assured, it will create an opportunity for new and old team members to bond.  

“For camp they haven’t really given away much – I don’t know why. I can guess there is going to be a lot of relaxing on the beach, maybe a few trots in the sand,” she joked.

“I think we’re really looking to connect as a team and work hard and have a bit of fun as well with each other.”

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Eleven new players arrived at the Blues over the off-season, including seven players in the 2018 NAB AFL Women's Draft.

Pound said the fresh arrivals had met the high standards set by the playing group, with one in particular impressing her.

“We’ve set the bar really high. About half the girls are in their first year at Carlton. They’re settling in really well," Pound said.

"The girls that have been here for a while, they’re settling in well and are helping to set that standard.

“The new draftees are settling really well, Maddy Prespakis especially. She’s moving super well, she kicks on both feet, she just hits targets every time. It’s just real sweet. I’m really excited to actually play with her. 

In the midst of her third pre-season with the Blues, the versatile Pound said she has embraced the changes at Carlton.

A new-look coaching panel will guide Carlton this season. Daniel Harford took on the role as senior coach in April this year, while another Carlton Alumnus, Brad Fisher, was appointed as the team’s forwards coach.

The Blues’ VFLW coach Shannon McFerran transitioned into the AFLW side as senior assistant, while Port Adelaide midfielder Steven Salopek will give guidance to the back-line.

“Harf has a good balance. Getting back to training has been positive,” Pound said. 

“The new panel is awesome. I’m really loving the new staff. A few of them have a fair few games under their belt and we’re really excited to share their experience. They’re really genuine about women’s football and we just love that.

“My personal focus is working well in the backline. I’m really keen to have ‘Sal’ (Steven Salopek) there: he’s played a bit of half-back as well so I’m really keen especially to have him.

"He’s been showing us a few tricks of the trade - I’ve been working on getting that run off half-back and breaking the lines.”