“HONESTLY, just not real. I was shocked - so shook.”

Lily Baxter has been knocking on the door of an AFLW debut all season, and yet she still didn’t see this coming.

After seven consecutive weeks of being an emergency, Baxter will become the Blues’ sixth new player to feature in the 2026 campaign when she plays her first game against GWS.

It’s been a long wait for the Blues’ first-round selection in last year’s draft, with nerves turning to excitement almost instantly after having the news broken to her by fellow South Australian Jess Good at training earlier in the week.

“It means the world. To play with the team, it’s a dream come true - I love everyone and I can’t wait to be out there,” Baxter told Carlton Media.

“Everyone has been so welcoming, it’s a second home here. I don’t even feel like I’m away from home a lot of the time… it really is a dream come true.”

Likely to play across the wing and half-back in equal measure, Baxter has had no shortage of Carlton mentors since last December’s draft, working closely with Erone Fitzpatrick and Amelia Velardo on the training track.

Then there’s also the off-field impact, being able to lean on a one-time teammate back in South Australia who’s now become her locker buddy at IKON Park.

“Pop [Scholz] has been really good. She’s been great and has helped me out whenever I’ve needed it. She’s really fun to be around, she can light up the room.

“We were robbed, we only got to play one game together at state [in 2024]. I’m really excited to play again with her, I love Pop.”

Previously played with the boys at Encounter Bay before being “aged out”, Baxter moved to Victor Harbor before she was ultimately drafted out of South Adelaide - the SANFL club where she met former John Nicholls Medallist, Bryce Gibbs.

While Gibbs coached her brother, the former Navy Blue No.4 was quick to praise the Club on draft night when Baxter officially became a Blue.

“He was there on draft night and gave Carlton such a good word, it was really exciting to have him there.”

Judging by the social media reaction on Friday, there’ll be a few faces from South Australia in the crowd at IKON Park on Sunday evening, with Baxter and the Blues hoping to mark the occasion with a win.

While Mum’s reaction was there for everyone to see on social media, Baxter was still yet to tell her dad at the time of the interview. We dare say he knows now.

And on a rainy day in Melbourne, Baxter’s trademark scuba celebration might very well be needed as the Blues look to consolidate a top-eight spot should they emerge victorious.

“I’ll see if I can get any of the other girls to do it. They all scuba’d when I was announced, so hopefully!”