Former Matildas goalkeeper Bri Davey declares AFLW is now her No.1 priority

A FORMER Matildas goalkeeper, Carlton gun Bri Davey says she is “in for the long haul” after she was overwhelmed by the experience of Friday night’s lockout.

Bri Davey sings the team song after the game. Picture: Getty Images

CARLTON gun Bri Davey is “in for the long haul”.

The former Matildas goalkeeper gathered an impressive 26 disposals and kicked a goal in Friday night’s 35-point win over Collingwood at Ikon Park.

Despite her stint on the pitch - albeit fruitful, representing Australia - Davey said Australian Rules, which then had no visible pathway, was always her “chosen sport” and she was overwhelmed by the experience of Friday night’s lockout.

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And she admitted that it will now take a lot to drag her away from AFL Women’s.

“The AFL has done an incredible job,” Davey said.

“It looks like I’m in for the long haul. Hopefully, anyway.”

Bri Davey tries to break a tackle against Collingwood. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

The showing landed the marquee player among Carlton’s best, but - in typical team player style - she was quick to turn the spotlight onto her teammates.

“I’m pretty happy personally, but it’s easy when you’ve got a great team around you providing the footy but also having your back,” she said.

“It’s a tough gig, defence, but it’s also very rewarding. I love it.”

Davey took the opportunity to address her teammates pre-game and, drawing on her Matildas experience, warn them of what was to come once they got out on the ground.

As she had predicted, the noise of more than 24,000 people was beyond what any of them had experienced in their days playing women’s Australian Rules.

“Before the game, I rallied the girls together and said ‘girls, you will not be able to hear each other from two metres away tonight – use your body language and your arms’,” she explanied.

“I think we did that really well. It paid off.”

“It was just about keeping that composure and keeping it going for the four quarters. I think we executed it really well. It’s always going to be some room for improvement.

“I think it’s a really exciting time for us.

Davey thanks Carlton fans after Friday night’s win. Picture: Getty Images

Just as Davey and her teammates gathered in the changerooms to sing the song for a second time on Friday night - the first being on the ground as part of a league-wide initiative for the women’s game - someone yelled “seven more (wins) to go”.

It is a sentiment not lost on the defender.

“We wouldn’t be here playing if they didn’t want to get to a premiership. That’s obviously one of our goals, but we’ve got to just go week-by-week, otherwise that’s not going to be achievable,” she said.

Originally published as Former Matildas goalkeeper Bri Davey declares AFLW is now her No.1 priority