CARLTON have survived a late charge from Collingwood to win for the first time ever against the Magpies in the VFLW, breaking their three-game losing streak.
The win is crucial for the Blues’ season, as they begin their recovery from their slow start to the year.
Quarter one
It was a bright start for Carlton to begin with, as the side piled on the opportunities, but in a familiar theme to previous games, they were unable to convert them into goals. Collingwood managed to take advantage of a fast-break chance for the first of the game. The latter stages of the quarter was a heavily contested affair, with both teams struggling to create quality forward 50 entries. Ashlee Thorneycroft was at her best in the midfield, starting the match with eight first-quarter possessions.
Quarter two
The second term started with a quick-fire goal for the Blues, after debutant Maddi Wilson kicked a fantastic goal from the boundary to level the scores. Mia Cowan then put the Blues in the lead, using her strength to fend off the opponent before kicking a goal at the top of the square. Some ill discipline followed from the home team however, resulting in a 50-metre penalty going Collingwood’s way, putting Shanel Camelleri on the goal line where she duly finished.
Quarter three
Carlton began the second half with energy, however this time around they took full advantage of their dominant play. Debutant Eliza Wood kicked the first of the quarter before Stephanie Lawrence kicked two in quick succession to give the Blues a 20-point lead. The Magpies began to wrestle back some control of the contest, but both sides were unable to create any further clear-cut opportunities before the final change.
Quarter four
Neither side were able to seize control in the early stages of the final quarter, with the ball spending most of it’s time in centre third of the ground. Collingwood slowly began to put the pressure on the Carlton defence, and halfway through the quarter, were able to break through for their first of the half and give themselves a chance for a late comeback. The goal seemed to inspire the away side, as they piled on the chances, kicking another to reduce the deficit to just five points. Some late chances for the Magpies came and went, but the Blues held strong to finish as the winners, breaking a three-game losing streak.
Game Summary
Carlton 0.2.2 2.3.15 5.4.34 5.5.35
Collingwood 1.2.8 2.2.14 2.3.15 4.8.32
Goals: Lawrence 2, Cowan, Wilson, Wood.
Best: Klingbeil, Nicolaou, Bild, Wilson, Wood.
Stafford says:
“Fantastic performance today, it was really pleasing to get some reward with the four points for their effort.
“I thought everybody contributed really well on the field, and in particular, I want to give a special mention to the girls who played their first game of the season because I thought they really brought heaps to the side today.”
