Beloved and inaugural Blue Darcy Vescio will continue their career in 2027 after putting pen to paper on a new one-year deal.

A pioneer of the game, Vescio is the club’s record games and goals holder and will become the first Carlton AFLW player to reach 100 games when they run out in Saturday’s match.

The one-club player has been at the Baggers since before the competition’s inception in 2017, becoming the first AFLW player to sign with the Blues and also kicking Carlton’s opening AFLW goal in the first match.

After an excellent 2025 spent in a new role down back, Vescio is back in the forward line and still hitting the scoreboard, starring in the Round 9 win over Sydney with 14 disposals, two tackles and two goals.

They are a two-time All-Australian (2017, 2021), a four-time leading goalkicker at Carlton (2017, 2018, 2021, 2022) and twice the AFLW’s leading goalkicker, reaching 50 career goals before any other player in AFLW history.

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AFLW R10 | Darcy opens with the Blues' first two

Darcy makes an early impact with two goals on the board

Off the field, Vescio is a strong voice for the LGBTQIA+ community, designing multiple Pride guernseys for the club, with their artwork often reflecting the impact of the community in football. They have also regularly worked with charities and fundraising events, and that work was rightly recognised with the 2024 AFLW Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award.

Head of AFLW Eleni Valos said Vescio will continue to play an important part in Carlton’s AFLW program.

“Darcy has been here since the very first day of our program, and their impact not only on our club but on the growth of the game is significant,” Valos said.

“With the emergence of our young core, Darcy remains a valuable member of our group with not only their class and game sense, but their invaluable experience. Their presence on the field lifts everyone around them.

“Darcy’s most important quality is their selfless approach to wanting to make their teammates better, educating our emerging players on what is required to perform consistently at the elite level.

“Darcy is a true Carlton person, so to see them continue their career into 2027 is welcome news for everyone who wears Navy Blue.”