A LAST-GASP goal has seen Carlton’s AFLW side continue its bright start to pre-season with a two-point win against Essendon.
Trailing by three goals at the main break, the Blues enjoyed a much stronger second half to ultimately emerge with a 6.5 (41) to 6.3 (39) victory.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Tom McLachlan)
With blue skies shining down at IKON Park, the Blues were without some of their main names - including young forward duo Poppy Scholz and Sophie McKay, as well as new recruit Claudia Whitfort - and rotated players through a number of different positions.
It was a combination of familiar faces and new names who combined to good effect, with Abbie McKay and Erone Fitzpatrick among the Blues’ best while Brooke Boileau and Lauren Bella both had important moments over the course of the afternoon.
In a gritty contest against the Bombers, Fitzpatrick set the tone early with a big tackle and accurate set shot. Darcy Vescio started the game up forward, with the veteran assisting Lily Goss for the Blues’ second goal of the day.
Carlton’s midfield was getting on top at centre bounce early, but some fundamental errors proved costly around the ground, seeing the home side trail by a solitary point at the first change.
That trend continued in the second term, with Carlton’s backline under increasing pressure. All-Australian Harriet Cordner picked up from where she left off in 2025, but repeat entries from the Bombers in dangerous positions saw the away side pile on three unanswered goals in the second term.
Despite being match simulation, the Blues were clearly challenged to make a response at the half, with captain McKay duly delivering.
Typically supported brilliantly by Mimi Hill, McKay and the Blues started to win critical contests and get the contest on their terms, making it look much more like a Carlton game under Mathew Buck.
In her first game at IKON Park representing the Blues, Boileau hit the scoreboard early in the third, before Lou-Lou Field and Lila Keck repeated the feat to give the Blues a narrow lead heading into three-quarter time.
An early Bombers goal in the final term saw the lead change hands again, but the Blues’ defensive application was strong, with Jess Good and Cordner making telling contributions to keep the Blues within a kick.
The nature of the game meant the Blues could put their situational pre-season training to good use, with Fitzpatrick finding VFLW-listed Lucy Burke deep in the pocket with five minutes remaining: the key forward converted with a true set shot to give the Blues a late lead.
From there, Carlton was able to see out the contest, in another valuable hitout in the lead-up to the home-and-away season. The Blues will travel north next week to take on Gold Coast in an official practice match on Saturday.
CARLTON 2.0 2.1 5.3 6.5 (41)
ESSENDON 2.1 5.1 5.2 6.3 (39)
GOALS
Carlton: Boileau, Burke (Carlton VFLW), Field, Fitzpatrick, Goss, Keck
