Brianna Davey opens up on the ‘ACL club’ that aided her recovery

It’s the club no player wants to be a part of, but Carlton skipper Brianna Davey has found support in the unlikeliest of allies - her opponents - in her fight back to play AFLW.

THE phone pinged, the first meeting of the AFLW ACL club was in order.

Mel Hickey - who moved from Melbourne to Geelong at the end of last season - served as convenor, with young Bulldog Izzy Huntington also a card-carrying member following her second knee reconstruction after she was felled during her first game of AFLW.

It’s not a group any player wants to be a member of, let alone the captain of a club playing just her second game of the season.

SKIPPER: DAVEY EYEING ROUND 1 KNEE RECO RETURN

HARFORD: AFLW WILL BE A BEAST IN FIVE YEARS

CHANGES: HUNTINGTON NOT A FAN OF CONFERENCES

But that was Blues captain Brianna Davey, struck down in Sydney in February and sidelined for the remainder of the season.

And it was in the presence of a handful of her opponents - usually foes - that she found a pillar of support.

“We have caught up a few times and connected in a way over that,” Davey revealed this week.

Brianna Davey is stretchered from the field after injuring her knee.

“We’ve caught up for coffee and updated each other a little bit and given each other advice. Mel’s been great, this is her second knee so she’s been really important for all of us girls who maybe are going through it for the first time.

“Izzy’s been great as well. They’re amazing for going through it a second time and being so positive.’

Davey knew the pair - the AFLW circle is a small one - but the last six months has led to a new level of understanding.

“Mel was the one to organize the first meeting, which was really nice. We’d bumped into each other and mentioned catching up, but she really drove that which I thought was really cool,” she said.

“It’s great talking to other people, but no one understands you and where you’re coming from quite like the girls who have done their knees. It makes the process a bit easier.

Carlton captain Bri Davey is eyeing a Round 1 return. Picture: Mark Stewart

“(Hickey) has been amazing. She sent me a text before pre-season just wishing me luck with everything. She’s a lovely person and has been a really important part of me getting back.”
Family, too, has been vital for Davey, as has the support of partner and fellow Blue Tilly Lucas-Rodd.

“She’s probably copped it more than anyone,” Davey laughed.

Davey, a former elite goalkeeper with the Matildas, has never endured a recovery this long. Her motivation in what is “another ballpark” has dipped at times, boosted by the likes of Lucas-Rodd and her siblings.

Months still remain, and it has changed her.

“I’ve had to adapt my leadership, in a way,” Davey admitted.

“I believe I was nominated by the group last year to come forward as captain (after Lauren Arnell stepped down) more so probably for my on-field characteristics.

Injured Carlton skipper Brianna Davey talks to Tayla Harris pre-game. Picture: Michael Klein

“Obviously when I did my knee, it became a whole different thing for me. I had to lead from the sidelines, and I was watching like a fly on the wall.

“It definitely has helped me build my off-field leadership and supporting the girls. I’ve had to really take that role on a bit more.

“It’s made me more aware ... of what girls are doing off-field and what they could be going through, injuries or whatever it is. Until you’ve done a long-term injury, you really don’t understand.

“Hopefully now I can be a support system.”

She is hopeful a Round 1 berth looms - in Hobart against the Kangaroos on February 3 - in what she anticipates will be a new Carlton after last year’s 2-5 season.

Daniel Harford has been installed as senior coach, Bioglan recently inked on as the team’s third platinum partner and the core of the team is stable after talk that some - including Davey - had wanted out.

“We’re on one-year contracts, so naturally there was people knocking on my manager’s door, and trying to get in his ear about trying to get me across,” Davey said.

“But I never had any intention of leaving, Carlton was always going to be my first priority, but naturally clubs come along and try and pull players where they can. It wasn’t something really I was (pushing for).

“We’re definitely looking to rectify (AFLW02) and have a really positive season this season. We’re looking forward to hitting the ground running.”