CARLTON has confirmed a new Club debutant for Saturday’s must-watch clash at Casey Fields.
It was announced during the team’s main training session that Lauren Bella will make her long-awaited Navy Blue debut against Melbourne.
Arriving at the Blues alongside Claudia Whitfort in last year’s trade period, Bella is a ruck who played 66 of her 69 career games with Gold Coast before her trade to Carlton.
Starting out her AFLW career at the Brisbane Lions back in 2019, Bella will add further experience and craft to the Blues’ line-up.
It’ll be the first look at Carlton’s new ruck partnership with Bella and the in-form Jess Good, with Bella becoming Carlton’s fourth new player so far in 2026.
“It’s worth revisiting that ‘Loz’ made a huge decision to come down from the Gold Coast and be a part of this team,” AFLW Senior Coach Mathew Buck told the playing group.
“You’ve been awesome so far, ‘Loz’, and we can’t wait to watch you play. It’s been a little longer than expected to get there, but we’re excited to have you in and the see the ruck combination of ‘Goody’ and ‘Loz’.
“Exciting stuff.”
The Blues will announce their team at 6:20pm on Thursday night.
