CARLTON has produced one of its biggest wins in its AFLW history, stunning Brisbane by 14 points at Brighton Homes Arena.
Taking on the 2023 premiers and last year’s Grand Finalists on their home deck, the Blues’ blistering second quarter set up a memorable 9.4 (58) to 6.8 (44) victory.
Led brilliantly by captain Abbie McKay (32 disposals), the Blues ensured that Sìofra O’Connell’s debut was marked in the perfect fashion on a night where Sophie McKay also produced her first goal in the Navy Blue.
Despite the Lions starting as the better of the two sides in general play, it was Erone Fitzpatrick who lit up the first term, producing two goals of individual brilliance.
Combined with some backs-to-the-wall defending, the Blues took in a three-point lead into the first change - but it was the second term where they provided Carlton fans plenty to shout about.
After conceding the opening goal of the quarter, the Blues piled on five unanswered goals, playing infectious football and converting truly to shock the home side.
The run started with an opportunistic finish from Sophie McKay, giving the Blues a shot of energy that they held onto for the rest of the term.
With sister Abbie commanding the middle with nine disposals for the term, it was her running partner in the midfield Keeley Sherar that provided the highlight of the night.
Tucked on the boundary line, a quick-thinking snap on her non-preferred right foot sailed through for an instant Goal of the Year contender.
In the ensuing minutes, goals to the impressive Dayna Finn, Tara Bohanna and Breann Harrington all of a sudden had the Blues leading by 29 points at the main break.
The Lions were always going to push, and that they did, with a goal inside the first 20 seconds of the second term setting the tone for what was to come in the third quarter.
The majority of the play was in the Blues’ defensive 50 as the Lions surged, breaking through for three goals - but it could’ve been more if not for the impressive work of the likes of Harriet Cordner, Rising Star candidate Poppy Scholz and Amelia Velardo on the last line.
Come the final change, the Blues were still in the lead - but it had been whittled down to nine points, with only a solitary point to show on the scoreboard for the Blues.
With a defining win on the line, Carlton needed someone to stand up. In just her third game for the Club, childhood Blue Tara Bohanna did exactly that.
Back in Queensland, the former Gold Coast captain stood tall with a pair of goals in the opening minutes, giving the Blues a buffer to hold the Lions at bay.
Individual efforts from Finn (29 disposals, one goal) and Scholz were clear indications of the Blues’ commitment to the cause, fighting for every ball with both teams out on their feet.
When the siren rang at Brighton Homes Arena, Carlton had a 14-point win to show for it: its first win over the Lions since the 2020 qualifying final, and their best performance as a group in the last five years.
BRISBANE 1.4 2.4 5.7 6.8 (44)
CARLTON 2.1 7.3 7.4 9.4 (58)
GOALS
Carlton: Bohanna 3, Fitzpatrick 2, Finn, Harrington, S.McKay, Sherar
BESTS
Carlton: A.McKay, Finn, Cordner, Fitzpatrick, Bohanna
