A MILESTONE game they’ll never forget.

And who better for it to happen to? In game 100, face of the competition Darcy Vescio has put Carlton on their back, kicking a vital goal to win a pulsating semi-final over Hawthorn on Saturday night.

Some 4,701 fans at IKON Park were privy to yet another close final for the season, as the Blues won by five points in a seesawing final term to reach their second preliminary final in a row.

The 6.7 (43) to 6.2 (38) win was soured by a late injury to Amelia Velardo who valiantly stayed on the field in the final minutes. The defender fell to her knees at the final siren.

Similarly, a midfield masterclass by acting Hawthorn captain Eliza West (31 disposals with 17 contested and 11 tackles) was dampened when she went down to the rooms in the final term with a left knee concern. 

Blues captain Abbie McKay (28 disposals, nine clearances, four tackles) shook off a shaky start to lead her side to victory and Harriet Cordner (11 intercepts, 335 metres gained) grew into the game after a difficult first term.

The Hawks flew out of the blocks with an overwhelmingly dominant first term, neutralising Carlton by leading clearances 12-2 and tackles 33-18 and capitalising with three goals.

Carlton was forced to rely on opportunistic forays forward, managing to camp in its forward 50 for the final minutes of the quarter. A free kick and goal to Tara Bohanna, back for her first game since round six, momentarily relieved the pressure on the Blues, particularly after a long wait for a major in their qualifying final last week.

Jacqui Dupuy opened proceedings in the second term with a huge second goal, lining up from over 40m out, before a stalemate between the two sides emerged.

Carlton was able to cut the half-time deficit to just four points after some ill-discipline by Hawthorn. A high contact free kick awarded to Lila Keck produced an incredible banana on a difficult angle to get the home crowd on its feet, before Lily Goss won a 50m penalty after Casey Sherriff stepped over her mark following a juggled mark to take her to the goalline.

The Blues midfield lifted in the third term, and were duly given space to get their kick-mark game going before Vescio gave them the lead for the first time.

Their defenders camped just outside the Carlton forward 50, repeatedly repelling Hawthorn’s entries again and again after a relatively quiet first half from interceptor Cordner.

A frenetic final term saw Hawthorn score its first goal since the opening moments of the second term, with Mackenzie Eardley booting two.

Sophie McKay snapped over the shoulder before Irishwoman Dayna Finn found Vescio with a pinpoint kick to the chest, and they converted for the final goal.

CARLTON                    1.2       3.3       4.6     6.7 (43)
HAWTHORN               3.1       4.1       4.2     6.2 (38)

GOALS
Carlton: Vescio 2, Bohanna, Keck, Goss, S. McKay