Carlton’s Kate Gillespie-Jones says a greater focus on her attack at the contest allowed her to have more of an influence in the Blues' Round 5 victory over the Western Bulldogs. 

In Carlton’s previous four matches, the 25-year old collected 10, seven, three and six disposals against Collingwood, Greater Western Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne respectively.

But against the Bulldogs, Gillespie-Jones followed the advice of her coaches and put her body on the line to finish with a season-high 13 possessions. 

“Just before the game, the coaches told me to increase my physicality,” Gillespie-Jones said. 

“Going out there and doing that made me feel more in the game.

“I was able to get some grabs and get physical around the contest which was important.”

Kate Gillespie-Jones in action against the Bulldogs. (Photo: AFL Media)

An increase in physicality was important for the Blues against a Bulldogs side that has demonstrated its strength in running and carrying the ball. 

With the game being a high-scoring affair, Gillespie-Jones said the Blues were challenged to prevent the Bulldogs from capitalising on easy opportunities, particularly when under pressure in the final term. 
 

“We had to make sure we blocked their exits out of the stoppages, and make sure we took advantage of them not getting back as fast as well,” she said. 

“The last quarter was really nerveracking. Everyone worked hard to get us over the line.”

While the Blues need results to fall in their favour across the final two rounds of the AFLW season, Carlton’s last-gasp win over the Bulldogs has seen it remain in finals contention.

The Blues will face Fremantle as part of a double-header with the JLT Community Series at Domain Stadium on Friday afternoon before taking on Brisbane in the final round of the inaugural season.