WATCHING Jayde Van Dyk play, it is easy to assume the crafty defender had been in the AFLW system for years. 

It would surprise many that this is in fact her first year in the AFLW system.

Taken by the Blues with pick No.21 in last year’s draft, Van Dyk was a star at the VFLW level. She took home Hawthorn’s best and fairest in its 2018 premiership year, while also being named in the VFLW Team of the Year and the competition’s rising star.

However, despite her success at a VFLW level, the 23-year-old believes she is still very much finding her feet at the top level.

“Coming from the VFL to the AFL is a whole level up,” Van Dyk said.

“The fitness area, the skill level, and just in general everything is just another step up. 

“Being able to find my feet with that, it’s been good the last three weeks. I’m hoping to move forward and get more comfortable week-by-week and play better week-by-week.”

Averaging 10 disposals and 3.3 one-percenters per game, Van Dyk has quickly become an important part of the Blues’ back-line beside teammates Kerryn Harrington, and Gab Pound.

Playing alongside those senior players as well as Brianna Davey, Tayla Harris and Darcy Vescio is something that Van Dyk has particularly enjoyed. 

She attributed her fast development at the top level to their leadership. 

“Having ‘Kez’ (Harrington) and ‘Pounder’ (Pound) is good in the back-line,” she said. 

“Coming from VFL, I was the one talking in the back-line, but it’s nice to come into this team comfortable and have them takeover and be the leaders down the back.

“It’s good for us as a group, as a back-line and as a whole playing group.

“Having big names like Bri Davey, Tayla Harris and Darcy Vescio in your team it’s good. They’re good leaders in the team, and they’re known off the field as well. 

“They make you feel comfortable, welcoming you to the club and then talking you through, having all the knowledge that they do. It’s good for them to be able to pass down to people like me and new people to the club.”

While there are a number of personal milestones Van Dyk would still like to hit in the remainder of the year, the main goal is to keep improving as a team weekly and repay the Blues’ faithful for their ongoing support.

Carlton has the chance to return to the winners list this weekend against traditional rivals Collingwood, which is something Van Dyk knows the group is keen to do in front of the home crowd.

“Just coming out fo the Geelong game last weekend, I think we were all a bit shattered,” she said.

“Our main focus point this week, as you can tell by watching the game is our skill efficiency.

“That’s what we need to pick up on, and just playing as a team and playing four quarters.

“As a team, I think everyone wants the win and would love to see the flag at the end. That’s all in sight.”