Goalkickers: D. Vescio, T. Harris, M. Prespakis, A. Downie 1.

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Burns, Gibson, McGinness

Injuries: Nil

Game Review

Darcy Vescio’s late goal puts Blues in finals places
Carlton have come from behind to ensure rivals Collingwood remain winless after five rounds in the AFLW, defeating the Magpies by five points in an exciting, seesawing encounter in Melbourne. After a week of criticism following their four-game losing streak, Collingwood started the fourth quarter with an unlikely 10-point lead. But Carlton hit the lead 12 minutes into the final term with an excellent snap goal from Darcy Vescio to ensure the Blues ran away with the win 4.10 (34) to 4.5 (29) in front of an Ikon Park crowd of 3215.

Blues pip Pies in thriller
Carlton has returned to the winners list with a nail-biting five-point victory over Collingwood. In a see-sawing affair at Ikon Park, a late snap from Darcy Vescio ultimately sealed a 4.10 (34) to 4.5 (29) to the Blues. The Blues jumped out of the blocks, only for the Pies to rein them in throughout the second and third terms. But Carlton shut down Collingwood in the final quarter to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Maddy Prespakis and Bri Davey led the way in the midfield with 21 and 20 disposals respectively, while the gun forwards in Tayla Harris and Darcy Vescio displayed their unmatchable class.
Quarter-by-quarter
Q1: Carlton made a confident start to the match and was looking far more capable compared to Collingwood. Skipper Bri Davey was winning everything in the middle and had seven disposals for the quarter, while Tayla Harris and Darcy Vescio were looking ominous in the front half. It was Harris got the ball rolling with the first goal of the night, but it could’ve been a far bigger margin if the Blues were able to convert in front of goal.
Q2: It wasn’t the quarter the Blues were after to say the least. The good work of the first term was undone as the Pies kicked two goals through Katie Lynch and Jordyn Allen to take the lead, while Carlton could only manage a behind. Madison Prespakis was still finding plenty of the ball, while Davey led the way with 12 possessions. The in-form Gab Pound was saving the day in the back-line as Collingwood surged.
Q3: After a heavy first-half tag, Prespakis was switched up forward. That change quickly paid dividends, as she booted the first goal of the second half to put the Blues in front. But the Pies hit back instantly through debutant Darcy Guttridge, before gosling on the siren through Sarah Rowe. With Tayla Harris going off with a shoulder scare, the momentum was all with Collingwood at the final change.
Q4: The Blues were digging deep early in the fourth, throwing the kitchen sink at the arch-enemy. Breann Moody looked set to give Carlton the perfect start, but the post again got in the way. It ultimately didn’t matter, as Alison Downie somehow got a toe to the footy to get the first goal of the last term. After gritting their teeth, the Pies eventually succumbed to the pressure when Vescio outwitted her opponent and slapped it on her boot to put the Blues back in front. The siren rang around Ikon Park with the Blues five points in the ascendancy.
Three things we learned:
1) Maddy Prespakis appears ‘untaggable’. Wearing a hard tag from Brittany Bonnici, the superstar was still able to gather 20 possessions and a goal, proving her status as a match-winner.
2) Bri Davey’s ACL injury of last year is long-forgotten. The skipper was unbeatable, gathering 20 disposals and dragging her team over the line after setting the tone from the outset.
3) It was said last week – when Darcy Vescio and Tayla Harris fire, teams have to be on their game. Tonight, those two were massive in the victory and stood up when the game was there to be won.
Moment of the match: Darcy Vescio’s moment of brilliance. When the Blues needed some magic, Vescio displayed her class. She got rid of her opponent that had worn her like a glove all day with slick agility, before snapping a goal to put the Blues in front. It was something only Vescio can do.
Player of the match: Skipper Bri Davey led from the front all day. Thrown into the midfield from the opening bounce, she gathered the first clearance of the game and kept the same level throughout the entire match. - Tennyson Tinning.

Best; B. Davey, M. Prespakis, G. Pound, T. Harris, D. Vescio

Blues trio in Team of the Week
Captain Brianna Davey is one of three Carlton players who feature in the AFLW Team of the Week for Round 5. After polling the perfect 10 votes in the win over Collingwood, Davey’s brilliant performance was further acknowledged with a spot in defence for the top performers from the weekend. With 20 disposals, five inside 50's and five clearances, it was a complete showing from the 24-year-old, who willed her team over the line to keep the season alive. It’s the second straight week where Davey has been included in the Team of the Week, backing up her game against Geelong in Round 4. Davey was joined by two teammates who have been no strangers to the team this year: Madison Prespakis and Kerryn Harrington. For the fourth time this year out of five games, Prespakis was named in the best team from the weekend. The young gun led all comers with 21 disposals and a goal, shaking a tag to once again be one of the key players on the ground. Harrington also featured for the third time, joining Prespakis on the bench. The in-form defender stood up brilliantly once again, taking seven marks (including three contested) and repelling Collingwood as part of a resolute back six. - Cristian Filippo, Carlton Media.

Team

Selection Changes;

In: Breann Moody, Charlotte Wilson, Emerson Woods
Out: Lauren Brazzale, Nat Plane, Rhiannon Watt (omitted)

Milestones

Debut (AFLW) : Charlotte Wilson (Eastern Ranges/Saints VFLW)
Debut (AFLW) and Only Game: Emerson Woods (Eastern Ranges/Hawks VFLW)

AFLW Coaches Votes

10 - Brianna Davey (CARL)
6 - Sarah Rowe (COLL)
6 - Jaimee Lambert (COLL)
3 - Madison Prespakis (CARL)
3 - Kerryn Peterson (CARL)
2 - Gabriella Pound (CARL)

AFLW Team of the Week

Defenders - Brianna Davey
Interchange - Kerryn Peterson, Madison Prespakis

Best and Fairest Votes

Match Highlights