Darwin Buffettes captain Kylie Duggan: Dom Carbone deserves to join Ashanti Bush in the AFLW

DOM Carbone has made an instant impact on her return for Lightning, and it might not be long until she makes an impact on the AFLW. That is the impression of her Darwin Buffettes captain, Kylie Duggan.

Buffettes captain Kylie Duggan believes Dom Carbone (right) has the talent to join Ashanti Bush (Gold Coast) in the AFLW. Both Buffettes stars are pictured training with Hawthorn’s VFLW team back in January. Picture: Supplied

DOM Carbone has made an instant impact on her return for Lightning, and it might not be long until she makes an impact on the AFLW.

That is the impression of her Darwin Buffettes captain, Kylie Duggan, after the tough-as-nails and talented midfielder missed out on getting picked up by a club after the 2021 AFLW Draft.

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Carbone, who scored 19 points in her first game back for Lightning as she helped her team challenge Tracy Village before losing 60-54 in round 16, is fresh from an impressive season with Hawthorn in the VFLW.

She constantly finished games with over 10 disposals, often accompanied by a handful of tackles.

And according to Duggan, the AFL signing off on an 18-team AFLW competition for its 2022-23 season – to include Hawthorn – will only increase Carbone’s chances of playing at the elite level.

“Dom still works so hard on and off the track,” Duggan said.

Darwin captain Kylie Duggan believes Dom Carbone has the talent to join Ashanti Bush – her former star Buffettes teammate – in the AFLW. Picture: Che Chorley

“Unfortunately, she didn’t get picked up this year, but she deserves to be there.

“With the AFLW to include Hawthorn, hopefully that gives her more of a chance of playing at that level.

“She’s a great player and she deserves every opportunity which comes her way.”

Duggan was delighted to see Ashanti Bush – another Buffettes young gun who won under-18 NTFL premierships alongside Carbone – get picked up at No.8 by Gold Coast.

“Absolutely, she’ll do well at that level,” Duggan said.

“I taught her for three years in the Stars Foundation program, and she works so hard. I’m so proud of her that she’s reached her dream.

“You can rely on Ashanti to win you a game.

“She’s got such great acceleration – no one can catch her.

“She reads the play so well and knows what to do with the ball.”