AFLW 2025: Carlton leaders Mimi Hill and Harriet Cordner on the Blues’ history

It’s about more than goals and games for Carlton leaders Mimi Hill and Harriet Cordner. It’s about legacy and the rebirth of a heartland.

The history of Princes Park entices Carlton leaders Mimi Hill and Harriet Cordner.

The stories that shaped the place and those that remain unwritten.

Much like the empty cabinets at the end of the Blues’ 16-cup premiership walk inside the club, Hill and Cordner see “Prinny Park” as a storeyed canvas ready to be recaptured.

“I love that there’s room for more (premiership cups), I would love to add an AFLW cup there too because we don’t have one yet and that would be pretty sick,” Hill said.

“But I just love the history of Prinny Park, the whole park. I think about back in the day where everyone would flood from everywhere just to get to games.

“That’s what I want for the AFLW, people in the area going ‘there’s a game on, let’s get there’.

“I want us to be packing it out with a big crowd … you hear older fans saying ‘oh, we always used to come here’ – we want to bring them back.”

With the men hosting their home games at the MCG or Marvel Stadium, Cordner says the building Blues have a chance to “bring that history back”.

“That’s what’s cool about the men not playing here anymore, we can kind of bring that history back to Prinny Park, back to Ikon Park,” she said.

“We’ve got an opportunity to do that.”

A large crowd watch Carlton train at Princes Park during grand final week in 1986. Picture: Supplied

So, how do the Blues bring the sleeping giant, the once heartbeat of Melbourne’s inner north, back to life?

Play fun, fast and exciting football, of course.

“I am excited for this year, I think we’re going to play a really fun brand, an exciting brand to watch,” Hill said.

“Hopefully, that translates to wins, but if we can play really fun footy that people enjoy watching – I think that’s how you get people back.

“The AFL says the stats are if somebody comes to one game, they’re a very high percentage to come to another because they love it.”

The bums-on-seats brand is not just an approach the Blues feel they must take to lure supporters.

They’ve seen the evolution of sides like Hawthorn and North Melbourne and know it’s “where the success lies”.

“Over the years we’ve seen the AFLW transition from a stock-standard one-on-one win or half the contest and not sure what you do off the back of that,” Cordner said.

“Really good teams over the past couple of years, it’s been the way they move the ball and get scores off turnover.

“It’s what’s exciting to watch first of all, but that’s where the success lies.”

Hill is backing Carlton to bring the energy, based on what she’s seeing on the track in a strong start to pre-season.

“I don’t want to give away too many of our secrets, but I think we’re going after speed – speed with the ball, speed without the ball,” she said.

Mimi Hill celebrates kicking a goal during the 2024 season. Picture: Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

“Just how can we challenge teams, some trades in and our draft picks have some speed about them.

“Then (Erone) Fitzpatrick has come back from an ACL and she’s quick as lightning, so through players and the way we’re going to move the ball.”

Hill and Cordner are important pieces to Carlton’s leadership group.

Hill, 22, will vice-captain the side behind Abbie McKay while Cordner, 32, will continue her strong leadership behind the ball.

Cordner says she’s a “do it and come along with me” type leader.

The defender tries to set a strong example, particularly in the gym, after learning the importance of preparation through early injuries.

“I think I have learned over my career how important investing in the holistic approach to footy is,” Cordner said.

Harriet Cordner looks for an option. Picture: Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

“I came across to footy, I was a rookie when I came to Melbourne, I hadn’t played the sport before and had to dive into everything.

“I have always just understood my body is my weapon, that is what has made me good at what I do.

“Whether it’s footy or whatever sport I have played … from the start I have understood that’s my vehicle for success and have done whatever I can to make that as top notch as I can.

“I think it has probably rubbed off on the young girls. I get a lot of questions about what I eat and what I lift in the gym.”

Hill admits she’s still learning the caper as a leader.

Studying a science-physiology degree outside of football, she jokes there’s no classes in leadership.

“I feel very driven from within, from my running to the gym. It doesn’t take someone else to say ‘get it done’, I just want to get better,” Hill said.

“The other layer to that is that I genuinely love footy and love the people, so it is not work, it’s just what I get to do.

“You’re never finished getting better, there’s always room for growth as a leader – you look back on leadership and think it’s got better, but there’s still more to learn.”

Hill has slowly grown her list of accomplishments since her 2021 debut, winning the Blues’ best first-year player, best and fairest and a Rising Star.

Hill accepts her Rising Star award in 2022. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

While joining Carlton’s decorated list of captains is a goal she would be honoured to collect, Hill is happy to soak up that “Prinny Park” experience when she fills in.

“Yeah, definitely, I do hope it happens – the opportunity doesn’t come around that often,” she said.

“You kind of have to be at the right place at the right time, so we’ll just see what happens I guess.

“It has been an honour to step up as captain in games when ‘Kez’ (Kerryn Peterson) wasn’t playing and, like I said earlier, it’s a real learning opportunity.

“Stepping out to the middle of the ground to do the coin toss, having a look around, it’s a pretty cool experience.

“Hopefully, one day – but this is a good learning curve for me.”

Originally published as AFLW 2025: Carlton leaders Mimi Hill and Harriet Cordner on the Blues’ history