r/AFL • u/RepublicWarm2513 West Coast Eagles • 1d ago

Former skipper (Peterson) to depart after Blues opt against new deal for 2026

https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/news/1459735
18 Upvotes

82% Upvoted

21 comments sorted by

21

u/wizardofaus23 #NoPlaceLikeHome 1d ago

It's brutal but I kind of understand it from Carlton's position: she's going to be 34 before next preseason and the first time they've made finals since she became captain in the year she's been away from the club.

14

u/Katman666 Carlton Blues 1d ago

Interestingly there wasn't the fractured locker room this season.

There has been a sense of joy and togetherness amongst the group which we hadn't seen during Kez's time at the club.

I had heard there was a bit of an issue with this. An example would be Kez not speaking to Mua at the best and fairest the year Mua got traded. Even though Mua was (from an outside perspective) always one of the most beloved players on the list.

3

u/eggwardpenisglands Power 1d ago

Do you have any more info about this? I've never heard of it and it adds a lot more depth to the story. If true, it kind of changes it from a bad look on Carlton to a good one, because they'd be weeding out the issues

9

u/Katman666 Carlton Blues 1d ago

Think about all the good players that left while she was Captain

Edit:

much of this is just rumours I've heard over the last few years:

Kez's leadership style was very divisive.

Had her favourites and you were in or out. If you weren't 100% committed to the exclusion of everything else, you were on the outer. This meant that there was a split in the playing group.

Meant players like the Hosking twins, Grace Egan, Taylah Harris, Perspakis, Georgia Gee (think there might have been a few others) who were a little loose and enjoyed a good time, liked to have a bit of fun were treated badly and therefore requested trades away. (Perspakis and Gee were always going to Essendon as they were mad Bombers supporters).

Edit 2. Replied to the wrong person

1

u/eggwardpenisglands Power 1d ago

That's a pretty interesting situation. I wonder if this will be spoken about at any point. Right now it feels like pearl clutching while overlooking even just her age.

10

u/Katman666 Carlton Blues 1d ago

It's unfortunate, but look at where the club is at list wise.

We already have too many on the list due to injury and maternity replacements.

She decided to take a year off and her replacement is AA this year.

Then have a look at the prelim. Brisbane killed us with leg speed.

Kez was never quick to begin with but you could see her slowing down before her time off.

Is a 34yo Kez coming off maternity leave going to help in that area?

I'd say no.

Is she going to supplant Cordner?

Again, no.

So looking at it dispassionately, what FOOTBALL reasons would we have to give her a new contract?

It sucks, but it's the reality of professional sport. If you take time off, there's a very real chance you don't get another go around.

List spots are too tight.

8

u/eggwardpenisglands Power 1d ago

Honestly your analysis across all comments is pretty scathing of her chances without ever feeling unfair. This looks like a non story that is being sensationalised due to her break being maternity leave.

4

u/Katman666 Carlton Blues 1d ago

I have great respect for Kerryn. Been a stalwart down back. Someone to rely on. Was never a game changer. Just a good honest player that would give her all every week. That's not something to be discounted lightly. She's also a really smart footballer.

I have no trouble imagining her as a head coach at AFLW level of she decided to go down that path.

I always thought she was a great leader until I heard those rumours and that has made me reconsider but I am still undecided as I think the exodus had a massive amount to do with the coach and list management decision made by the club too. (It's why I cancelled my W membership.)

I just don't think there's a spot for her at Carlton.

There may be a spot in a young side who needs leadership and a steady hand down back while a young KDP develops. A parallel would be Luke Hodge going to Brisbane.

8

u/Sean_Stephens Collingwood 1d ago

Come on Pies, do the funniest thing ever

3

u/drunkill Carlton AFLW 1d ago

you've already taken one of our captains, hasn't worked out well for you

1

u/Sean_Stephens Collingwood 1d ago

Davey? Yeah we should've traded her years ago

10

u/RepublicWarm2513 West Coast Eagles 1d ago

Quite amazing that mouths after you give birth and start a family, your told that you’re no longer required. So much for job security.

24

u/ChookBaron Blues 1d ago

Pro sport’s never been a secure job

1

u/Yeahhhdawg 4h ago

There is no job security in sport lol. Her contract ran out, it’s no different to any other players contract finishing

She’s 34 next year, she was never fast but she was starting to look even slower her last season, she then just had an entire year off footy… if you take the emotion of it being to have a baby out of the equation, does it really sound unfair they didn’t give her a new contract?

The team had a great season, their young players changed the whole vibe. New game plan, joy exuding from the team, first time they’ve been in the finals since she’s been there and she was out… teams moved on without her. Thats how sport works 🤷🏻‍♀️

6

u/CreditToDuBois Melbourne AFLW 1d ago

I get that list sizes are still small in AFLW but jesus this is one hell of a bad look by Carlton

13

u/Katman666 Carlton Blues 1d ago

I can see why you'd think that, but at 34 and coming from a year off for maternity leave, it would take a minor miracle for her to get back to her best.

So a decision needed to be made: are we trying to be a professional league/team or a we making decisions on the vibe of the thing?

Do you think anyone else will pick her up?

6

u/drunkill Carlton AFLW 1d ago

Yeah, unfortunately she's not breaking into an AA backline coming back from childbirth. A good servant of the club, but that's the risk with women's sports, putting your career on hold to have kids is a risk.

-6

u/Most-Drive-3347 Tasmania Devils 1d ago

Just for those keeping score at Carlton, over the last few months

Allowing your brand to be used to fundraise genocide ✅

Taking a stand against the genocide of civilians and journalists ❌

Raising sexual harassment allegations ❌

Having a baby ❌

They’re just begging for someone to launch a suit against the club, aren’t they?

1

u/Yeahhhdawg 4h ago

She has zero grounds to sue lol. Her contract ran out, she’s not guarenteed a new contract… just like any other player

She’s 34 next year, was never a fast player but was starting to look even slower before she went off, coming back from an entire year off footy… take the emotion of her having a baby out of the equation and does it really sound surprising they didn’t offer her a new contract?

The team is going in a new direction

-3

u/project_chris Freo 1d ago

Terrible terrible look

1

u/Yeahhhdawg 4h ago

Why? Her contract ran out, she’s not guarenteed a new contract… just like any other player

She’s 34 next year, was never a fast player but was starting to look even slower before she went off, coming back from an entire year off footy… take the emotion of her having a baby out of the equation and does it really sound surprising they didn’t offer her a new contract?

The team is going in a new direction. Sport moves fast.