RUCK Alison Downie expected the pressure in Carlton’s first preliminary final on Saturday.

The Blues brought the heat when they met the highly-rated Fremantle at Ikon Park on Saturday, sealing a spot in the 2019 AFLW Grand Final.

“To us, to play our game, we need that source pressure,” Downie said on Channel 9’s Women’s Footy on Sunday. 

“If they don’t have the ball, we’ve got it and that plays into our hands.”

Downie played a key role in Carlton’s 36-point victory over Fremantle, collecting 13 disposals and laying three tackles to put the Blues in Sunday’s decider.

The in-form ruck was quick to single out midfielder Lauren Brazzale, who returned to her best with a game-high 22 disposals following shoulder surgery in the off-season.

“It was really good to see Lauren play the game she can play. I think she lost a little bit of confidence,” she said.

“To see her play the way she can play – she’s so quick, she used her body really well, [it was an] unbelievable game. To do it in a final, it was even better.”

Downie also praised first-year player Madison Prespakis, who piled on the pressure with six tackles and 19 disposals in Saturday’s match.

Downie said the Rising Star favourite was “like a little sponge”.

“I think she’s getting better and better. The tags are coming to her, but she’s still managing to get those high possessions,” she said.

“Her first few games she did really well, then they started to tag her, and it was a little bit hard for her.”

Downie acknowledged the Blues’ underdog status in the lead-up to Saturday’s match, finishing the home-and-away season at the top of the Conference B.

“I guess in terms of how it has panned out, we’re the lucky ones,” she said. 

“At the same time, with such a short season, you can see that we’ve started to get that form.

“If it was a full length where you play everyone twice, we may well be in the top four.”

Carlton will face the Crows in the AFLW Grand Final at Adelaide Oval this Sunday at 1pm (AEDT).