Electric Carlton teenager Mimi Hill is attacking her recovery from an ACL injury better than anyone Blues AFLW coach Daniel Harford has ever seen.
After being taken by the Blues with pick 12 in the 2020 draft, Hill made an impressive start to her AFLW career.
But the midfielder's debut season was cut short when she ruptured the ACL in her left knee during a win against Geelong in March.
At 19, Hill will not be rushed back to protect her long-term health, but Harford has been thrilled by her determination in rehab.
"She's doing a power of work, she's really driven," Harford said.
"She is as focused as anyone I've ever seen to get back out on the track as soon as possible.
"There's no timeline on it, she's ready when she's ready, but she's doing all the things they are expecting her to do at this stage of her recovery."
The Blues will be keen to have Hill available as they aim to bounce back from a disappointing season after missing finals.
Carlton entered the campaign as one of the favourites for the premiership but a slow start ultimately proved fatal.
Harford and captain Kerryn Harrington are banking on established stars and younger players to go to another level in their pursuit of a premiership.
Carlton lost enigmatic forward Tayla Harris (Melbourne), Jess Hosking (Richmond) and Chloe Dalton (GWS) during the off-season.
"Twenty per cent of our list is new so we've got to integrate new players in," Harford said.
"We've got to work out what didn't work for us and why last season, but we're pretty confident we've done that.
"We're not too stressed about it, what's happened in the past is in the past and we'll just worry about what's in front of us."
