Carlton’s Darcy Vescio and Collingwood’s Brit Bonnici reflect on the historic 2017 lockout, ahead of season 10 opener at Ikon Park

Vescio and Bonnici will clash in the opening match of the AFLW’s 10th season on Thursday, paying homage to the inaugural game.

Vescio initially joined Carlton as a graphic designer and has witnessed the evolution of AFLW including an expanded season, better pay and increased resources.

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The now 32-year-old was the first AFLW player to reach 50 career goals and was crowned Carlton’s best and fairest in 2021. However, Vescio said an interaction with a teammate made them reflect on how far women’s footy has come.

When Annie Lee joined the Blues in 2021, she showed Vescio a photo. It was Lee sitting in the crowd watching Carlton play at Whitten Oval in 2019.

However, Vescio and Bonnici have been proud to witness W’s professional makeover.

“The first season, like we were starting sessions at 6pm and getting home at 10.30 or 11pm some nights,” Vescio said.“I know some clubs still do it [train at night] but it felt like you’d live two days in one … your day job and then your footy job.”

Collingwood vice-captain Jordyn Allen said the AFLW’s rising pay scale meant fewer athletes needed to rely on a second income.

The 25-year-old defender has given up her day job as a paramedic with Ambulance Victoria to concentrate on football.

“I didn’t predict that AFLW was going to grow as quickly as it did when I embarked on my degree at 19,” Allen said.

“I thought that I’d have a chance to get my degree done, do my graduate year, and then have the opportunity to work casually and do flexible work with AV [Ambulance Victoria].

“But that door is closed now, which is great.”

Allen said improved salaries were already having a flow-on effect: clubs were more invested in their AFLW teams and players were better prepared.

“Because we have a list full of players who have prioritised their football, it means the club is able to put on day sessions for us, which is helping our performance as footballers,” Allen said.

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“It eliminates other opportunities for us to kind of work as much outside of the club … but I think that’s what we’ve been asking for so many years – to get to this point where it’s a real privilege to be able to come into the club and have it as your primary profession.”

Ahead of Thursday opening game, Bonnici wanted to acknowledge the trailblazers.

“There are so many players who were part of that first game and were part of the reason why somebody like me even has the opportunity that I have right now,” she said. “Those players should continue to be celebrated.”