IN THE FIRST home game for the season, it was a perfect sunny day for footy at IKON Park. 

In a highly competitive game, the Blues fell short to the Zebras by only four points, 2.2 (14) to 2.6 (18) to the away side. 

Teagan Bradley and Matilda Connel made their Carlton debut: this is Connel’s first VFLW season, while Bradley has previously played for North Melbourne and Box Hill. 

It was also a milestone game for Emma Horne, who was playing her 50th VFLW game, previously featuring for Richmond and Casey. 

It was a tough first term, with the ball continuously moving up and down the ground. Sandringham’s pressure affected Carlton's playing style, forcing them to rush kicks and have difficulty hitting targets, leaving Carlton scoreless in the first quarter. 

Defensive efforts from Nadia von Bertouch didn’t go unnoticed, taking massive and critical marks in the backline all day, finishing with 19 disposals, 15 kicks and seven marks. 

Sophia McCarthy pushed back in the second term, kicking the Blues' first goal within the first minute of the quarter. 

The Blues upped their pressure, putting the Zebras on the back foot. Vice captain Steph Demeo constantly applied pressure to direct the ball into the forward line, working with the midfield around her. 

Unsurprisingly, Captain Octavia Di Donato created crafty connections around her with direct handballs and her ability to lay hard tackles, tallying 21 disposals and a game-high 14 tackles. 

Tensions were high by half time with only a three-point difference as Sandringham led 1.5 (11) to 1.1(7). 

Grace Matser dominated hitouts in the ruck, rallying 33 for the game. The Zebras came strong into the second half, kicking the opening goal, but a great connection from Matser, Di Donato and Evie Lee sent the ball into the forward 50, leading Lucy Burke to track the ball at ground level and kick a goal from the goal square. 

Newcomer Roxy Maslin created a great opportunity at goal as she ran through a crowd, connecting with Tahlia Plunkett in the forward 50, however, pressure from the Zebras rushed Plunkett's kick, unfortunately resulting in a behind. 

With only a three-point difference coming into the final quarter, both teams looked hungry for the win.

AFLW-listed Brooke Vickers made an impact as she was all over the ball, with 22 disposals, 14 kicks and 11 tackles.

Equally impactful, Hannah Scott matched Vickers' disposals with 22 and 10 marks for the game. 

In the final term, the ball swung up and down the ground, with Sandringham making the only score with a behind to seal the four-point victory. The Blues put up a good fight but just fell short. 

Carlton continues their season at Windy Hill next Saturday 10 May at 2:35pm (AEST) against Essendon.