CARLTON will gain plenty of confidence out of its return to the winners list on the weekend according to defender Nicola Stevens.

The Blues enjoyed their first AFLW win in over a year after accounting for the Giants by 29 points in Blacktown, heading to the top of Conference B after three rounds in the process.

Stevens played a helping hand in the win, leading the team for one-percenters and forming part of a strong defensive unit.

Speaking to RSN’s Breakfast Club, she said she wouldn’t be forgetting the post-match scenes anytime soon.

“It was such a great feeling,” Stevens said.

“A lot of the girls were pretty emotional after such a long time without getting a win on the board.

“Part of it was relief and it was reward for effort for the last few months. We’ve been putting in the hard yards in pre-season and it was great to experience that with the group.”

The Blues led from start to finish against the Giants, consistently having the answers after the home side tried to force their way into the contest.

After the disappointment of a week prior and the performance which produced Saturday’s result, Stevens said it would hopefully provide the perfect “kickstart” the Blues need in coming weeks.

“This season is such a high-pressure situation, and we know we wanted to start with our best foot forward. I just don’t think we were ready yet — I think we needed to start believing in ourselves a little bit more,” she said.

“The game against North wasn’t great, the week after was a bit better and I think we were able to put four quarters together after we started believing we could actually do it. It was about trusting the process.”

One person who enjoyed their first win on the weekend was senior coach Daniel Harford, with the Blues registering the four points for the first time under his leadership.

Stevens praised the impact of the senior coach, saying he had managed to invigorate the group and was able to simplify the game for the players.

“Sometimes you can get caught up in the bigger picture and it can become a bit too overwhelming,” Stevens said.

“‘Harf’ really goes on about focusing on the small moments and trying to get done what is in front of you. If you get carried away with what’s going to happen next, you can’t put your best foot forward in the game and the contest that you’re in.”

The Blues are now preparing for a Conference B clash with Geelong, with the two sides currently sitting at first and second of the group.

Stevens said the Blues would hope to keep a good thing going in the trip to GMHBA Stadium this Saturday.

“Winning is a skill and it’s been a while since we’ve won a game. The win now has given us so much confidence to move onto the next challenge,” Stevens said.

“We’re on top of the ladder in Conference B which is really exciting. I think if you took out the A and B, it wouldn’t change the positions which is pretty interesting.

“For us, it gives us an extra chance and we’ve just got to focus on winning games.”