AFTER a much shorter break than usual, the AFLW is back up and going in a new timeslot and Cavendish export, Emma Kearney, will once again pull on the Kangaroos guernsey, while Branxholme’s Georgia Clarke will be hoping for more game time in the hoops for Geelong.

Kearney will open her campaign in Hobart against Gold Coast today in her 50th AFLW game and said she was excited to get back into the football action.

“It has been pretty good actually, we just love playing footy and the more we can squeeze in, the better for us,” she said.

“To be able to get straight back into it and get back going again is exciting.

“We love playing down in Tasmania and we get to play on Blundstone Arena, hopefully the weather isn’t too bad and there is a bit of buzz around the club with the Clarko (Alastair Clarkson) news recently.”

After a shift in position last season, the six-time AFLW All-Australian will once again spend most of her time in defence.

The confidence the 32-year-old takes into the season is growing going into her second season down back, but is excited to continue developing and hopefully lead her team to premiership glory.

“I will playing predominantly off half back, but there might be time when I go through the midfield but they are pretty settled in there now,” Kearney said.

“The last two finals campaigns for us have been a bit disappointing, we have had some personnel changes with expansion and the girls we have brought in have been exciting for us.

“They bring a lot of speed and enthusiasm.”

With plenty of new faces in the blue and white, Kearney’s natural leadership qualities have seen her take some of the younger players under her wing.

As North Melbourne Tasmanian captain, it sets a strong example with two players in particular catching her eye in recent times.

“Bella Eddey and Tess Craven, they are great kids and they want to learn,” Kearney said.

“So it is a credit to them and I try to encourage the girls as much as I can and highlight their strengths.”

Collingwood and Carlton opened the season on Thursday night and with the bye before the AFL finals this weekend, Kearney was hoping there would be a few extra eyes on games to start the season.

“It is really exciting, the bye weekend is always a bit hard for fans, but now that we have the women’s season in the slot, it is a good opportunity for us,” she said.

And despite juggling cricket and football in her earlier years, Kearney said she still hoped she had plenty of football left in the tank.

“I wasn’t sure how I’d go, early days I was trying to adjust to the colder weather (during pre-season), but I am feeling mentally fresh,” she said.

“I am trying not to look too far ahead, clearly I know I don’t have too many more seasons left and I am just hoping to get the most out of our body.”

As for Kearney’s premiership tip, she is backing one of the trailblazers to bounce back this season and take that final step.

“I don’t think you can go past Melbourne, narrowly beaten by Adelaide and have lost a couple of players, but mostly added to their depth and I am expecting to be thereabouts again this season,” she said.

The Cats will open their campaign at GMHBA Stadium against Richmond tomorrow.