Carlton AFLW coach Mathew Buck speaks on the Blues loss over reigning premiers on Saturday. 

On North Melbourne's ability to challenge Carlton:

"Their a really mature, high performing side and have been for 12 months now. In every phase of the game, probably outplayed us today and absolute credit to them, they play an unbelievable system which tests where you're at as a football side."

On lessons learnt from playing the top side:

"We'll take some little lessons out of each phase, imparticular around the contest. I think they really owned us there which gave them field position on the back of that and then you've got to come through them all, so that tested us today.

"You get to see where the next level is to be honest. Fundamentally the Kangaroos are really great, they don't fumble the ball too often, their ability to get the ball from inside to outside. That's what we're aspiring to be, we've seen glimpses of that from our team this year and we've played some scintillating footy which we've enjoyed. Today we didn't quite get there with that but we'll handle this with maturity and take the lessons that you need to and see where the next level is and let's keep getting better.

"Its a little resilience test when you play the Kangaroos, you've got to put what happens behind you and continue to turn up. I didn't think our girls put up the white flag today at all, I thought we continued to play it out." 

On younger players stepping up:

"Some of our young players today really stood up for us, and I thought that Poppy Scholz actually had some impact on the game, throw her forward to give us a look that way, takes a fantastic mark and kicks a goal. Sophie McKay's involved in the game, Maddie Hendrie who's developing as a full back, it was 55 inside 50's for the Kangaroos and she just continues to compete all the time."

On Poppy Scholz change in position: 

"Over the pre-season we trained Poppy majority as a back but certainly had a look at her as a second position up forward and she has talent and skills to be able to do that. Today they played two key tall players in their forward line so that gave us the ability to have a look at Poppy forward, and we'll continue to explore different looks for our players all the time. Thought we had a good opportunity to have a little look at that one today, and it looks like to could work being a swing player in the future, she's just getting started, but thought it was a good opportunity today to have a look."

On captain Abbie McKay helping out in the coaches box:

"The compliance that you need around stoppage with your structures, Abbie was in there helping us with that in there toady and she see's if it breaks down, how that can hurt you."

On Lou-Lou Field's debut and development:

"Lou-Lou's earnt the right to come out here and play today, it's been hard for her to watch lots of people debut in front of her, and we've had lots of defenders who have been playing well all year, and had a little opportunity today through some management of Keeley Skepper to bring her in.

"I thought she took the opportunity with both hands, she was well and truely in the game and she gives us absolutely everything and that's what we love about Lou-Lou. She's in her development phase of her footy to become a regular AFLW player at the moment, but I thought we saw some great glimpses from her today."