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| Venue: | Ikon Park, Carlton. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Date: | Friday 29th September, 2023 (4.05 pm). | ||||||||||||||||||
| Result: | Won by 5 points. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Crowd: | 2,079 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Goalkickers: | M. Austin 2.1, P. McWilliams 1.2, B. Moody 1.1, E. Fitzpatrick 1.0, M. Hill 1.0, Rushed 0.4. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Reports: | Nil | ||||||||||||||||||
| Umpires: | Josh Ball, Joel Clamp, Gen Devenish. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Injuries: | A. Velardio (abdomen) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ladder: | 8th | ||||||||||||||||||
Game Review
Blues fight hard for an impressive-third win
The Blues have put on a mature performance against a determined Swans to walk away with the four points. - By Owen Jones, Carlton Media.Carlton's emerging stars have teamed up with its experienced campaigners to charge to a hard-fought victory in perfect conditions for football. After a gritty first quarter, which saw Brea Moody produce a highlight-reel worthy goal to open the scoring for the day, the Blues trailed into the quarter time by one-point thanks to a late Swans goal. Sydney came out swinging in the second quarter, quickly adding their second goal to the scoreboard. But the Blues hit their stride, led by a strong Phoebe McWilliams contested mark and goal, Mia Austin and Erone Fitzpatrick quickly continued their recent goal-kicking ways to give Carlton a handy two-goal lead at the main break. A goalless third quarter from the Blues was countered with two goals from the Swans, setting up a frantic final quarter as the teams swapped ends with the Blues leading by three points.
From the start of the final term the Blues had scoring on the mind, with Mimi Hill capping off a strong team push up the field. After that, Carlton were pressing up the ground and threatening their attacking zone with nine inside 50s in the final quarter, but only managed minor scores. But it was when the Swans put attacking pressure on that saw the Blues band together and continue their 'never-back-down' approach to close games and grind their way to a victory that was celebrated by the Carlton faithful. Carlton’s fight was generated from the midfield, with Jess Good and Abbie McKay once again teaming up to help setup the well-rounded team effort. Good continued her impressive season, with her strong ruck craft and hard work off the ball, which set Abbie McKay up for another textbook performance out of the middle. McKay’s bullish efforts around the ball rewarded her with 25 disposals, 15 contested possessions and nine clearances, alongside a strong defensive performance highlighted with eight tackles. Keeley Sherar and Blues' captain Kerryn Peterson continued their positive form from Round 4, setting the standard for their forward and defensive teammates to meet. As the season hits the half-way point, Carlton sit on three wins and look to build on the the positives that are apparent in the Mathew Buck era.
Best: B. Moody, K. Peterson, A. McKay, M. Hill, M. Austin.
Blues sneak home against Privitelli-led Swans
A bag of four goals from the Sydney star wasn't enough to cause an upset against the improving Carlton. - By Gemma BastianiCarlton has beaten Sydney by five points in a mature performance from the rebuilding side on Friday afternoon. Not even a career-best four-goal haul from Swans forward Rebecca Privitelli could get her side over the line, with the Blues running out 6.8 (44) to 6.3 (39) winners in the setting sun at Ikon Park. Carlton's never-say-die attitude that has been present all season served it well against a spritely Sydney side, ready to match the visitors at every contest to create what was essentially a war of attrition. The Swans came into the match wanting to focus on their uncontested control of the game, essentially with a plan to remain patient to maintain possession of the footy. That patience saw them look to switch the ball coming out of defence and make use of the wide expanses of Ikon Park. Taking 78 marks to Carlton's 51, the uncontested, controlled play was evident for Sydney on the stats sheet, but the Blues really excelled when it came to the aerial duels, winning the contested mark count 11 to six.
To combat Sydney's thirst for uncontested possession, the Blues stacked their defensive line, taking away any space in Sydney's forward 50, and as a result, the Swans repeatedly broke down attempting to enter their attack. Kerryn Peterson (16 disposals, three inside 50s) was crucial to Carlton's organisation right across the ground, as she featured on all lines as the game wore on, while Breann Moody's contested marking prowess was on full show. Moody's ability to take big marks in key moments to allow the Blues to maintain control was important, as the reigning All Australian ruck finished with five contested marks, 16 disposals and a goal. Carlton generated repeated inside 50s, ultimately registering 38 entries to the Swans' 27, but the visiting defensive contingent of Brenna Tarrant, Julie O'Sullivan and Lucy McEvoy stood strong in the face of the onslaught. The Blues ultimately generated a goal from just 16 per cent of their forward entries. Laura Gardiner continued her prolific ways for the Swans with 33 disposals, eight tackles, seven clearances and a goal, as did Ally Morphett with 27 hitouts, 25 disposals and six clearances for the afternoon.
Privitelli shines
Before Bec Privitelli was a Swan, or even a Giant, she was a Blue and in a return to her first home ground she shone. Already having an impressive season as a forward marking target in the much-improved Sydney lineup, Privitelli bobbed up just when her side needed her on Friday afternoon. Kicking four goals for the game, her career best, she was an ever-present threat for the Carlton defence to deal with. Now enjoying support across the attacking line, Privitelli has been able to thrive.
A confused start
Just as the umpire was ready to throw the ball in the air to start the game, Carlton's defensive and forward lines realised they had set up at wrong ends of the ground and had to fix it quicksmart. With the midfielders watching on confused, the Blues' defenders and forwards sprinted to the opposite ends of the ground to begin the game.
Up next
Carlton is set to head across town to another AFLW heartland in Whitten Oval to take on the Bulldogs on Friday night, while Sydney will travel to Alberton Oval to play Port Adelaide, against whom they struggled to goal last year, but this year's edition shapes up as a very different prospect.
Team
| B: | 1 Amelia Velardo | 8 Vaomua Laloifi | |
| HB: | 9 Kerryn Peterson (c) | 21 Harriet Cordner | 6 Gabriella Pound |
| C: | 4 Keeley Skepper | 5 Abbie McKay | 24 Brooke Vickers |
| HF: | 22 Mia Austin | 16 Breann Moody | 19 Erone Fitzpatrick |
| F: | 3 Darcy Vescio | 2 Jess Dal Pos | |
| Ruck: | 15 Jess Good | 10 Mimi Hill | 25 Keeley Sherar |
| Interchange: | 23 Daisy Walker | 20 Lily Goss | 17 Dayna Finn |
| 36 Ciara Fitzgerald | 37 Phoebe McWilliams | ||
| Coach: | Mathew Buck | ||
| Emg: | 28 Imogen Milford | 49 Madeline Hendrie | 34 Taylor Ortlepp |
In: Daisy Walker, Dayna Finn, Ciara Fitzgerald.
Out: Taylor Ortlepp (omitted), Madeline Hendrie (managed), Anthony (omitted).
Milestones
Debut: Dayna Finn, Ciara FitzgeraldAFLW Coaches Votes
8 - Laura Gardiner (SYD)7 - Abbie McKay (CARL)
6 - Mimi Hill (CARL)
5 - Breann Moody (CARL)
2 - Lisa Steane (SYD)
1 - Kerryn Peterson (CARL)
1 - Ally Morphett (SYD)
AFLW Best and Fairest Votes
3 - Breann Moody (CARL)2 - Rebecca Privitelli (SYD)
1 - Ally Morphett (SYD)