Gruelling yet rewarding.

That was the verdict on Carlton's first AFLW pre-season camp in Queenscliff, according to General Manager of Women's Football, Nicole Graves.

With 11 new players, a new coach and new surroundings, Graves said all involved at the Club with the way in which the playing group had embraced the challenge. 

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Getting to work in Queenscliff. #BoundByBlue

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"Both mentally and physically, the way that they're going about it and the way they're setting up of how they'll play is pretty apparent," Graves said.

"It was really important that we got in as much as possible in that amount of time. They got to spend those 72 hours together which they haven't had before - we haven't had a pre-season camp at Carlton.

"For us, it was great to see how they've evolved not only as players, but also how the style of play has evolved from 2018 to 2019. It was really good across the two and a bit days to get that outcome: they're all a bit sore today."

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What a weekend with this group. AFLW 3.0 we are coming

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Here's a collection of photos from the training camp, taken by Graves herself: stay tuned to carltonfc.com.au for more coverage from the weekend's camp. 

Charlotte Wilson and Kirby Bentley. (Photo: Nicole Graves)

The group gets to work. (Photo: Nicole Graves)

Georgia Gee. (Photo: Nicole Graves)

Kerryn Harrington. (Photo: Nicole Graves)

Brianna Davey. (Photo: Nicole Graves)

Charlotte Wilson, Lauren Brazzale and Chloe Dalton. (Photo: Nicole Graves)

Darcy Vescio. (Photo: Nicole Graves)

Al Downie. (Photo: Nicole Graves)

Tayla Harris. (Photo: Nicole Graves)

Darcy Vescio shows the lighter side of pre-season camp. (Photo: Nicole Graves)

The grind. (Photo: Nicole Graves)

Sarah Hosking. (Photo: Nicole Graves)

Tayla Harris marks. (Photo: Nicole Graves)

Jayde Van Dyk gets a handball away. (Photo: Nicole Graves)

Katie Loynes looks to gain possession. (Photo: Nicole Graves)

Emerson Woods. (Photo: Nicole Graves)

Brooke Walker looks further afield. (Photo: Nicole Graves)

Carlton AFLW 3.0. (Photo: Nicole Graves)