MIA AUSTIN was heartbroken when her time at Carlton suddenly came to an end.

The club that had given her AFLW career its start opted to trade the 22-year-old forward at the end of the 2025 season.

“It was probably a bit unexpected,” Austin said.

“I didn't really get much of a warning about it and then it all happened so fast.

“I think initially I was a little bit devastated and heartbroken because you have such good relationships there and you love everyone at the club, and you never think of leaving.

“But I think you just have to look at all your options and at the end of the day you have to decide what's going to be best for your footy.

 "I think it's probably been a blessing in disguise. It's probably been the best thing for me."

The Eastern Ranges product had played 30 games at Carlton after being drafted to the club with Pick No.18 in the 2022 AFLW Draft. 

After a promising start at the Blues, Austin found herself in and out of the side last season following the additions of fellow forwards Tara Bohanna, Sophie McKay and utility Poppy Scholz.

When Austin began exploring a trade at the end of the season, there was one club that stood out from the rest.

“I just remember when I met with Melbourne, the amount of like detail and time and effort they put into their presentation and how warm and welcoming they were from the start.

“The love and care everyone has for each other, I was just like, 'Wow, this is such an incredible environment.'”

A phone call from Melbourne leaders Kate Hore and Tyla Hanks also helped.

“'Kateo' and 'Hansky' called me; they were actually in the car together,” Austin said.

“I was so nervous. They were so lovely and really nice.”

Austin signed with the Dees despite the club not having a senior coach at the time, with inaugural coach Mick Stinear having made the move to Geelong, leaving Melbourne on the search for a new leader.

For Austin, it wasn't a concern: the new Dee had full confidence that the club would appoint the right person in due course.

“I just had so much trust in them, which might sound crazy, but purely from that first meeting and the detail and time and effort they put into the presentation,” Austin said.

“I had full faith that they would get the right person in and I feel like they have. I bloody love ‘Willo’ (senior coach Tom Wilson). He's been incredible so far.”

It's been a dream start for Wilson, whose Demons sit undefeated after five games this season and in second place on the ladder.

“He brings such infectious energy to the group like he's so up and about and he's so easy to talk to," Austin said.

“He's so caring as well and he just brings everyone's strengths out and really utilises them.”

The fresh start at the Dees has reinvigorated the young star, with Austin playing some of the best footy of her career in her new colours.

In her first four games, Austin has kicked nine goals, including a career-best four majors on club debut against Hawthorn in round one.

“I think I’m just enjoying my footy again,” Austin said.

“I think the last couple years I probably haven't really been enjoying my footy, which feels crazy because like It's like the one thing that I’ve always loved doing.

“I’ve just been working really hard on the mental side of the game.

"You don't realise how important it is.

"You can get your body and everything right, but I think if you don't work on that stuff, it doesn't really mean anything.

“So, I just worked really hard on that and it makes such a difference, and when the coaching staff and everyone has belief in you to just go out there and play your role, bring your strengths and bring your full self, I think that helps so much.

"I just feel so free out there.”

This Saturday afternoon, Austin will face the Blues for the first time.

The youngster is feeling mixed emotions heading into the game.

“I'm excited, I feel like they're in great form at the moment, so I feel like it'll be pretty cool to go against them,” Austin said.

“It'll be a great battle and I obviously spent, you know, four years there, so I've got some of my best mates playing there, so I reckon it'll be weird, but I'm excited.

“I think once the ball is thrown up it'll just be like any other game and I'll just be locked in and back to business.”