Goalkickers: M. Hill 2, D. Vescio 2, L. Brazzale, N. Stevens 1.

Reports: Nil.

Umpires: Sam Bridges, Nicholas McGinness, Leighton Rowe.

Injuries: Nil.

Ladder: 8th

Game Review

Carlton were overrun by a triumphant North Melbourne in Tasmania. After the Blues took a narrow lead into the half-time break, they were no match for a rampaging Roos in the second half at York Park. Ultimately falling by 22 points, the Game Changers will have the chance to regroup back at home next Sunday with confirmation of a Round 6 clash with Geelong.

The breakdown
Q1 breakdown: It was the worst possible start for Carlton, with North Melbourne kicking the first two goals of the game with the Blues collectively just having one disposal to their name. The Game Changers were able to settle, thanks in no small part to Gab Pound, who was a cool head with her seven disposals down back. Mimi Hill did her chances of a NAB AFLW Rising Star nomination no harm, as the Blues stemmed the tide to go into the first change trailing by 13 points.

Q2 breakdown: While the Blues weren’t quite able to capitalise on their forward entries in the opening term, it was a different story in the second quarter. With a tireless Nicola Stevens providing an option in attack, it was Darcy Vescio who reaped full reward on the scoreboard for the second straight week. The No.3 had a direct hand in all three Carlton goals, kicking two herself while providing the assist for fellow inaugural Blue, Lauren Brazzale. Some committed attack on the contest from Tayla Harris and class in congestion from Jess Hosking saw the Game Changers head into the main change with a slender four-point lead.

Q3 breakdown: Serena Gibbs believed she had her debut moment early in the third term, but what she thought was a contested mark in the goal square was ultimately called as touched off the boot. From a scoreboard sense, it was a similar story to the first term from there, with the Blues held scoreless while North Melbourne kicked two goals - on this occasion, late in the term - to open up an 11-point lead at the final change.

Q4 breakdown: A first-ever AFLW goal from the excellent Mimi Hill was exactly the start the Blues were after, bringing the Game Changers within a kick. However, it was the experience of North Melbourne which saw the hosts run the game out the stronger of the two sides, piling on five final-quarter goals. Hill continued her impressive solo night, with her second AFLW goal coming 10 minutes after her first.

Moment of the match: On a night where Serena Gibbs played her first AFL game, the main positive to take out of the game was the form of another young Blue. While the result was one the Game Changers won’t want to remember, there were more than a few Navy Blue smiles on faces around the country when Mimi Hill stormed through inside 50 in the final term. With the Blues needing a spark, the 18-year-old took matters into her own hands when she swooped onto the loose ball, straightened up and kicked a clutch goal in the opening minute of the final term.

Three things from the game:
1.If Mimi Hill has been stiff not to get a NAB AFLW Rising Star nomination so far, it will have to take something very special to deny her this week. The teenager was Carlton’s best player on the night, showing leadership beyond her years to kick two final-quarter goals to go with 12 classy disposals.
2. It was a valuable learning experience for Carlton’s midfield. Coming up against the might of Jasmine Garner, Emma Kearney and Ash Riddell, North’s midfield has the ascendancy from the centre bounce with the Game Changers missing the influence of Madison Prespakis.
3. The Blues clearly missed the input of All-Australian Gab Pound in the opening two rounds of the season, and the first quarter was a perfect example of that. Flanked by the ever-dependable Mua Laloifi in defence, Pound stopped everything North Melbourne threw at Carlton in the first half while providing clean disposal as always coming out of the back half. - Cristian Filippo, Carlton Media.

Best; M. Hill, V. Laloifi, N. Stevens, J. Hosking, J. Pound, D. Vescio.

Team

In: Serena Gibbs (debut), Natalie Plane
Out: Madison Prespakis (suspended), Jessica Edwards (omitted)

Milestones

Debut: Serena Gibbs
First goal: Mimi Hill

AFLW Coaches Votes

10 - Jasmine Garner (NMFC)
8 - Emma Kearney (NMFC)
6 - Ashleigh Riddell (NMFC)
2 - Darcy Vescio (CARL)
2 - Aileen Gilroy (NMFC)
1 - Mimi Hill (CARL)
1 - Jenna Bruton (NMFC)

AFLW Team of the Week

Forwards: Darcy Vescio

Best and Fairest Votes

Round 5 Match Highlights