A NEW chapter in an old rivalry.

Carlton will face Essendon for the very first time in the AFLW competition this Sunday at ETU Stadium.

The Blues will be out to atone for their Round 1 performance, where they fell short of the Pies by 18 points in the season opener at IKON Park.

Carlton will need to put a stop to Essendon’s momentum and turn positive individual performances into a holistic team showing to secure the four points.

What to watch:

With both sides winning the contested possession count in their respective matches, it’s natural to expect a hard-hitting contest from the first bounce come Sunday.

However, midfield structure will be a major focus for the Blues, who were at times sucked into the contest against Collingwood and in turn punished by their run and spread.

Mimi Hill and Abbie McKay will be looking to reproduce their Round 1 efforts, with both recording career-best disposal numbers, with 26 and 22 touches respectively. 

Nullifying Essendon co-captain Bonnie Toogood in the air will be another key for the Blues, with Kerryn Peterson and Paige Trudgeon set to have their hands full, while Gab Pound will also play a vital role in marshalling the Blues’ transition from defence.

An eye on the opposition:

Essendon opened its account with a win in the team's first match in the AFLW competition, seeing off fellow expansion side Hawthorn by 26 points at Marvel Stadium.

The Bombers initially struggled to shake the Hawks, looking the more dangerous side but failing to capitalise on their forward dominance.

Toogood eventually took the game into her own hands in a commanding fourth-quarter performance, to finish with two goals, 15 disposals and seven marks.

Maddy Prespakis found plenty of ball with 26 disposals and six clearances, while dynamic forward Paige Scott made a name for herself with 16 disposals and a goal, earning her a Round 1 Rising Star nomination.

Last time we met:

Sunday will mark the first time that the Blues meet the Bombers in the women’s competition, as a new chapter in an old rivalry is written.

There will be some familiar faces, with former Blues Prespakis and Georgia Gee set to don the black and red, while there will be a handful of other recognisable talent from rival AFLW clubs in the sash, including co-captains Toogood and Steph Cain, Jacqui Vogt and Sophie Alexander. 

Game details:

ETU Stadium
Sunday 4 September 11:10am

Broadcast live on Channel 7, FOX Footy, AFLW app and Kayo.

Tickets can be purchased here.

IT WAS a game to remember at North Port Oval.

Carlton defeated Essendon by a singular point in the Round 2 AFLW clash, overcoming a late rally by the home side to record its first win of the season.

On a day where Keeley Skepper made an outstanding Navy Blue debut, it was a fast start which formed the foundation of the win.

Mimi Hill was instrumental for the Blues through the middle, winning the ball at the source to finish with 16 contested possessions and 21 disposals in a dominant display. 

With Darcy Vescio kicking the first two goals of the game, the Blues held the Bombers to just one goal for the opening half.

Second-gamer Mia Austin also recorded a major for the second straight week off the back of strong pressure, giving the Blues a comfortable lead at half time.

It was in the third term when Skepper - Austin's fellow first-round draftee - had a big impact, kicking the first goal after half time while providing class with ball in hand and pressure around the ball.

Breann Moody was arguably one of the best on ground for the Blues, finishing with 30 hitouts, nine clearances, eight contested possessions and gaining 283 metres in an all-round display.

While the Blues looked on the way to a comfortable victory, leading by 21 points at the final break, there was always the danger of the Bombers rallying in front of their home crowd. They did, creating some nervy moments when the opening three goals of the final term brought the margin back to a point.

The defence did well in the final stages, with Gab Pound and Mua Laloifi stepping up in crucial times to win the ball back from the opposition, while Abbie McKay set the standard from a physicality perspective with her nine tackles.

The siren sounded at North Port Oval with Carlton one point ahead of the arch rival, starting this new chapter of an old rivalry on a perfect Navy Blue note.

ESSENDON          1.2     1.3     1.5       4.7 (31)
CARLTON            2.1     3.1     5.2       5.2 (32)

GOALS
Carlton: Vescio 3, Austin, Skepper

BESTS
Carlton: Moody, Hill, Vescio, McKay, Skepper, Pound