CARLTON has shown it's ready to fight until the end, recording a 21-point victory over St Kilda at Ikon Park on Saturday night in the third annual AFLW Carlton Respects Game.

The Blues got the better of what was a see-sawing affair early, kicking away to record their third straight victory of their 2020 campaign.

Q1 breakdown:

It was a scrappy start to the night at Ikon Park for the Blues’ second home game of the season, with the Saints recording the first goal of the night in the opening minutes. However, Carlton managed to hit back with aplomb, thanks to the unlikely source of Sarah Hosking: the inaugural Game Changer made her presence felt with two consecutive goals. The reply came swiftly from the Saints, before the moment of the quarter belonged to Grace Egan. Fresh off a Rising Star nomination for her standout performance against Adelaide, Egan topped off her week with a first AFLW goal before the quarter was out.

Q2 breakdown:

Taking a one-goal lead into quarter time, the Blues were up for the fight against a gritty Saints side. Both teams continued to wrestle for dominance at Ikon Park, with clearances and contested possessions even across the board. It was Kerryn Harrington who stood up when her team needed to, with the co-captain leading a miserly defensive unit. After a tight opening few minutes of play, it had to be Tayla Harris with the opening goal of the quarter. The star forward clunked the contested mark and kicked truly from the set shot: not to be outdone, the Saints clinched a late goal to remain with a striking distance of the Blues.

Q3 breakdown:

It was a case of the Carlton of old at home, with a dominant third quarter laying the groundwork for a third straight win. Brooke Walker was the first to stamp her dominance on the inaugural Saints, slotting a crafty goal early, before first-year Blue Lucy McEvoy followed up shortly after. While it was still an even hit out as far as the stats sheet was concerned, the Blues’ experience continued to trump the Saints. Carlton finished the quarter strong once again with classy major from defender-turned-forward Nicola Stevens, who continued her run of hitting the scoreboard in the last three games. 

Q4 breakdown:

The Blues continued their show of flair as the match drew to a close in the final quarter, denying the Saints any chance of victory in the final term. Instead, an experience Blues outfit flexed their muscle in front of the home crowd, starting with a settling goal from Georgia Gee to solidify the lead. While it was their only goal of the quarter, it was inevitably the one that earned the Blues their fourth win from five games this season.

Moment of the match:

It’s hard to go past a first goal for a standout moment, particularly in the same week as a Rising Star nomination. In only her fifth game with the Blues, Grace Egan is already showing her star power. Drifting forward late in the first quarter, Egan put the pressure on to earn her first AFLW goal from her seventh first-quarter disposal.

Three things from the game:

1. A general down back, Kerryn Harrington continued to be one of the best in the competition. The 2019 All Australian continues to show her class and experience, even in the face of immense pressure. Finishing the night with 21 disposals and eight marks, the co-captain was the clear best for the Blues on a special night.

2. Carlton’s 2019 draft crop can no longer be viewed as newcomers in the eyes of the competition. Grace Egan and Lucy McEvoy both played critical roles in the Blues’ victory, proving that their five games of AFLW experience is more than enough to solidify spots among the Blues' best.

3. An even contribution inside 50 is where the Blues' strength lies heading into the back half of season 2020. Carlton finished with seven individual goal kickers against the Saints, taking the pressure off reliable goal-getters Tayla Harris and Darcy Vescio.

Match summary:

CARLTON      3.0      4.1      7.2      8.2 (50)
ST KILDA      2.0      3.0      3.2      4.5 (29)

GOALS: S.Hosking 2, Egan, Harris, Walker, McEvoy, Stevens, Gee

BESTS: Harrington, Prespakis, Wilson, Dalton, Laloifi, S.Hosking, Vescio