How Blues star has created unimpeachable legacy ahead of historic feat

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Darcy Vescio says their AFLW experience has been richer after standing up for what they believe in off the field while excelling on it.

Vescio is set to become the first Carlton player to reach 100 AFLW appearances.

Vescio and the Blues take on Hawthorn at Princes Park on Saturday night in a do-or-die AFLW semifinal match.

A player capable of doing extraordinary things on the football field, Darcy Vescio has never shied away from standing up for what they believe in off it.

And Vescio feels their football experience is richer for doing so.

The inaugural AFLW player will become the first Carlton star to reach 100 games in Saturday night's semifinal against Hawthorn at Princes Park.

Vescio remains one of the league's most skilful and intelligent forwards and is highly respected by teammates and opponents.

The 33-year-old, who came out as non-binary in 2021, has proudly represented the LGBTIQ+ community and takes pride in their Chinese and Italian heritage.

Vescio has also played a pivotal role in the AFLW collective bargaining agreement negotiations over the years, helping drive the league's pay, conditions and professionalism forward.

"That adds, not weight, but it makes the footy experience a lot more rich," Vescio said.

"I love the game and every challenge that that brings, physically and mentally.

"But when you can extrapolate further and see the way you can shape things and push the game into a better space and I guess impact different communities who might not have always seen themselves in footy, for me, that adds to my experience of being a human playing footy.

"From the outside, it can be tempting to just want footy players to just focus on footy. But the reality is when you step out onto the field, you're a fully formed human with a brain and with things going on in your life.

"So if you're able to, I guess, service all areas of yourself whilst playing footy, it just makes it feel like a lot more worthwhile experience."

Vescio overcame calf issues earlier in the season in time to reach the 100-game milestone this year.

"It's not a milestone I ever imagined I'd be able to celebrate. So it feels really special," Vescio said.

Vescio, who has just re-signed for 2027, hopes the game continues to grow and credits their longevity to an eagerness to adapt to the AFLW's ever-improving and evolving standards.

"It's been something that's kept me really engaged with playing footy, the fact that you have to keep evolving with the game," Vescio said.

"Every few years we see a real step up in the way the game's played, and it is constantly shifting.

"I enjoy the challenge of trying to keep up with the game, and it gets better and better to be part of."

Carlton lost its qualifying final to North Melbourne but will be looking to reclaim its home-ground advantage against Hawthorn.

"You want [opposition] people to not feel welcome when they come here," Vescio said.

"Even heading into last week's game … [North Melbourne star Ashleigh] Riddell was very public in saying she loves playing at Ikon Park because they've built great memories here and they're really home here.

"So that's something we do want to wrestle back."