Carlton coach Daniel Harford says it would be a waste to leave star forward Darcy Vescio in the goal square as she adjusts to a different role in the team and more attention from opponents.

Harford also backed Tayla Harris to rebound from her wayward display in front of goal against Geelong last weekend.

Vescio is having a lean season when it comes to scoring but Harford, who last year was a senior assistant with the winless Collingwood side that will play the Blues at Ikon Park on Saturday night, is not concerned.

Despite topping the scoring charts with 14 majors in AFLW season one and booting 26 goals in 9 VFL games last year, the 25-year-old has only scored two goals in Carlton's two-win season so far.

Daniel Harford says Vescio is performing admirably, despite notching just two goals this year. Michael Dodge

"The defenders in the AFLW are much better than the VFL, and much better than in season one. Everyone’s much better, but defensively teams are much better and more capable one on one of shutting down players like Darcy," Harford said.

"I don’t need one player to be responsible for our goals, I want all players to be able to kick goals and also create for her teammates. That’s the role for Darce, she’s a really mobile and athletic player. To waste her sitting in a goal square all day is not to the benefit of the team – she’s too clever."

One player who undeniably suffered in front of goal in Carlton's five point loss to the Cats is dual All-Australian forward Harris.

Running freely at goal in the third quarter, Harris rocketed her shot into the post – one of four very convertible chances she squandered on a day when less than one goal ultimately separated the teams.

Tayla Harris in last year's season opener against Collingwood. Wayne Ludbey

The 21-year-old has been battling a shoulder injury that kept her out of the round two match against Adelaide and Harford backed Harris, who also has a five-bout unbeaten professional boxing record, to bounce back.

"She’s a pretty proud girl, Taylor. She’ll be very keen to do something about that," said Harford.

"Even in her boxing, if you get punched in the nose, you can’t just sit there and worry about being punched in the nose. You’ve got to make sure you get up and stop being punched in the nose, then get a few punches in yourself. That’s her mentality, and she’s capable of doing that."



Harford said such lapses are to be expected in a still semi-professional league, pointing out that four shots on goal for a single player should be commended.

"These are the ebbs and flows of dealing with players who haven’t played a decade of footy, and their skill level is still being developed. Their confidence in their skills and owning these situations that arise is still developing," he explained.

Captain Brie Davey was one of her side's best against Geelong playing from the backline, despite Harford's indications in pre-season that she'd be playing more in the forwards this year.

The Carlton boss now sees the former Matildas goalkeeper as a versatile trump card in the vein of Adelaide superstar Erin Phillips, partly owing to her still regaining fitness after rupturing her ACL last season.

"The luxury of having a player like Brie is you can adjust her to suit, so to speak. You can plan differently against different oppositions to try and maximise her.

"Brie’s our Erin Phillips, we can put her anywhere and we know more often than not she’ll impact the contest and the game. That’s her thing."

Carlton are in third position in conference B on four points, with Brisbane and Geelong ahead on eight points each.