The Blues came away with a 10-point win over the Gold Coast Suns in their first official practice match at People First Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Captain Abbie McKay and vice-captain Mimi Hill lead from the front to drive their team home after a resurgent Suns outfit challenged the Blues until the last minute.

Hill and McKay banked 14 disposals each to half time, and finished on 25 and 22 disposals respectively - their link ups a clinical force in the contest that proved hard to beat.

The first quarter has highly contested - the Suns using clean and quick ball movement to break free first and score the first goal - before the Blues midfield got on their feet to turn the game quickly.

Poppy Scholz kicked the Blues’ first for the afternoon, with Hill slotting one shortly after, getting on the end of a goal square crumb. Scholz also slotted one in the third quarter, finishing with with 16 disposals and as the Blues' top goal scorer (2) for the game.

Ex-Sun Claudia Whitfort showed impressive signs in the new threads - finishing with 12 touches. Notably, the No.4 kicked a goal in the second quarter against her old side, sparking a wholesome all-in reaction from her teammates.

All-Australian Harriet Cordner was a strong presence down back, banking 19 disposals and 9 marks up against an experienced Havana Harris, while at the opposite end, Erone Fitzpatrick showed all impressive signs. 

The Blues maintained a consistent game style in the second half, before the young Suns side came firing in the final quarter, with the margin at just five points with 10 minutes to play.

Despite the resurgence by the home team, the Blues played their game, before new leader Fitzpatrick kicked a set shot to cement the win.

The Blues’ final pre-season hit out will be on Friday 31 July, against Geelong at IKON Park, kicking off at 12:05pm.

GOLD COAST SUNS: 1.1 (7)    1.4 (10)    2.4 (16)   3.5 (22) 
CARLTON: 1.1 (7)    3.3 (21)    4.3 (27)   5.3 (33) 

GOALS: Poppy Scholz 2, Claudia Whitfort, Mimi Hill, Erone Fitzpatrick