AS THE Blues prepare for Season 10 of the AFLW, they faced the Giants in a practice match at Blacktown International Sports Complex.
In a wet and muddy affair, it was Carlton who emerged victorious, taking plenty of positives into their 2025 season.
New Blues Tara Bohanna and Sophie McKay both impressed with two goals each while Maddy Guerin and Mimi Hill were instrumental in the contest.
This was Carlton's last practice match before facing Collingwood in Round 1 on Thursday 14 August. Get your tickets now.
Quarter one
Both teams made the most of the wet conditions in the first term, with clean disposals and clearances aplenty. Tara Bohanna was the first to hit the scoreboard, taking the ball directly out of the ruck for a clean snap on goal. Mimi Hill was back to her natural best in the midfield, using her body in the contest and delivering the ball inside 50. The Giants got the better of the Blues’ defence, picking their way through easily and resulting in three goals for the term. Greater Western Sydney’s intercept game halted Carlton’s transition, allowing them to hold possession for the majority of the quarter. A late mark and goal from Brea Harrington (neé Moody) - set up by Sophie McKay in her first outing - closed the margin, with the Blues trailing by three points at quarter time.
Quarter two
It was a dominant quarter for the Blues, who managed to pin the ball in their forward half for the majority of the term. Jess Good held firm in the ruck, while Dayna Finn was strong in the contest. Unfortunately, Greater Western Sydney set up well in Carlton’s forward 50, picking off the intercept, but the Blues did well to stop their run through the middle of the ground through Harriet Cordner and Darcy Vescio. Maddy Guerin had plenty of the ball, putting her body on the line for the ground balls, while Hill did well to get back quickly and provide run and carry in transition. It was Lila Keck who slotted the only major for the term for the Blues, running into an open goal while fire alarms blared at Blacktown International Sports Park. Mia Austin, Guerin and Keck all had shots on goal that they failed to convert, leaving the Giants to take a one-point lead - executing a late goal - into the main break.
Quarter three
The third term was a scrappy affair, with neither side able to pin the ball in their front half. It was a hot start for the Giants, who kicked a goal in the opening minutes to extend their lead. Good provided strong hands behind the ball and used her powerful kick to open up the ground. Greater Western Sydney were hot in transition, using speed and class to stream away into their forward half, but Carlton’s intercept game deep in the back half was solid. It was a back-and-forth term with neither side able to make much scoreboard impact. Vescio was moved into the forward line to try and generate some spark, which resulted in a very opportunistic goal from Sophie McKay – a true reward for effort in the Blues’ forward line and put their nose in front heading into the final term.
Quarter four
Things were looking tense as the Giants opened the final term with a goal, taking a one-point lead over the Blues. Carlton ramped up the pressure in the front half, resulting in a snap goal from Keeley Skepper, followed up quickly with a lovely set shot from Bohanna. Sophie McKay took advantage of an empty goal square to roll through a goal and give the Blues a healthy lead. Lou Lou Field and Amelia Velardo were busy behind the ball while Erone Fitzpatrick was instrumental with her forward 50 entries. In what seemed like déjà vu, it was Skepper who sealed the game from the same angle that she secured a victory for the VFLW Blues just weeks before, threading the needle to guarantee a hard-fought 21-point win.
Goals:
Bohanna 2, S.McKay 2, Skepper 2, Harrington, Keck
