Goalkickers: M. Austin 2.1, K. Skepper 1.0, K. Sherar 1.0, Rushed 0.3.

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Lisa Compton-Robins, Nathan Toner, Peter Bailes.

Injuries: K. Skepper (ribs)

Ladder: 15th

Game Review

Blues outplayed by physical Hawks

Carlton go down in 38-point loss to Hawthorn in opening game of season. - By Jazz Bennett, Carlton Media

Carlton didn’t get the start it was hoping for their 2024 season, going down to Hawthorn by 38 points at Kinetic Stadium. Strong winds presented a challenge early for both teams, with captain Kerryn Peterson electing for her Blues to kick with the wind in the opening quarter. It appeared to be the right move, with Carlton able to lock the ball in its forward 50 early. Maddy Guerin looked threatening out of the middle in her first game back from injury, while it was Mia Austin who kicked the Blues’ first goal three minutes into the game. Livewire Keeley Skepper quickly followed suit, using the wind to her advantage to boot a massive goal from 45 metres out. Hawthorn wasn't going to bow down however, kicking the next two goals to leave Carlton with just a one-point lead at the first break. The Hawks took advantage of their use of the wind in the second quarter, keeping the Blues’ defenders under constant pressure with repeat entries into Hawthorn’s forward-50. Co-vice captains Mimi Hill and Abbie McKay worked hard to clear the ball past Hawthorn’s wall of defence set up behind the ball, with the latter notching nine disposals in the second quarter alone. Hawthorn’s transitions were too quick for Carlton, adding three consecutive goals to their tally and scoring on 50% of their forward entries to end the half.

With Carlton back kicking with the wind in the third quarter, the Hawks well prepared to not allow them to capitalise. Winger Dayna Finn sparked some life into the Blues, intercepting a Hawthorn kick out which resulted in a classy crumb and goal from midfielder Keeley Sherar. Debutant Lulu Beatty showed some exciting moments in the back pocket, showing no hesitation in going one-on-one with former AFLW Best and Fairest winner Emily Bates. McKay and Finn again worked hard to get the momentum going for the Blues, but Hawthorn was again diligent in defence. Austin again snagged an exciting goal in the final quarter to try to lessen the deficit, however Carlton quickly ran out of steam against the strong and physical Hawthorn side.

Irish pair, recruits lead charge as hot Hawks blow Blues away

Hawthorn overcome blustery conditions and a tough Carlton side to start the season with a win. - By Gemma Bastiani at Kinetic Stadium

The Daniel Webster era has begun in style, with Hawthorn dispatching of Carlton by 38 points on Sunday afternoon. The Hawks piled on their highest ever score to claim the biggest win in their history, defeating the Blues 9.12 (66) to 4.4 (28) as seagulls and a strong win swirled at Kinetic Stadium. Irish duo Aileen Gilroy (16 disposals, two goals) and Aine McDonagh (12 dispsoals, two goals) were dangerous in attack all day for Hawthorn, while recruit Eliza West (28 disposals, 10 tackles) proved why she is so respected by her teammates. Another former Demon, Casey Sherriff, also kicked two goals for the Hawks. The Hawks were simply relentless in their pressure, mobbing every Carlton possession en masse, winning the tackle count 72-59 in the process. They would then efficiently transition to attack once the ball was won.

The weather conditions were tricky to say the least. With a significant wind blowing off the shoreline, there was a huge advantage to the Young Street end of the ground. Kicks toward the shore stopped dead in the air and made gaining territory a serious challenge for the duration of the game. As a result, a surge mentality was necessary. Neat disposal and risky cutting kicks were going to be blown off course. It was Hawthorn that adapted better, searching for territory with every disposal, while too often the Blues attempted to change lanes before heading inside 50, resulting in a turnover. Hawthorn's defensive structure was also sound, maintaining representation behind the play when they were against the conditions, often outnumbering those in navy when the ball was sent in long.

Ainslie Kemp (12 disposals five intercepts) was strong in a key defensive role for the Hawks alongside Jenna Richardson (eight intercepts, nine disposals) and Emily Everist (eight intercepts, 10 disposals), providing the home side reliable coverage behind the play all afternoon. Carlton midfield duo Abbie McKay (31 disposals, 10 clearances) and Keeley Sherar (18 disposals, five clearances) worked exceptionally hard all day, and Breann Moody (10 disposals, 19 hitouts) stood strong as the side's most effective tall across the ground. Despite maintaining strength at stoppage, the Blues struggled to transition to any sort of outside game, or maintain chains of possession down the ground. Instead, they succumbed to Hawthorn's immense pressure.

Footy is back - and so is the wind
Frankston and AFLW means one thing; windy conditions. The team that adapted faster and made best use of the end to which the gale was blowing was going to put itself in the box seat for victory. Crucially for the Hawks, they didn't just defend Carlton's wind advantage well in the opening term, but put through two goals of their own to really establish early control in the game. It was the same story in the third quarter, where they once again broke even with the Blues thanks to their surge mentality.

Best: B. Moody, A. McKay, K. Sherar, H. Cordner.

Team

Milestones

Debut: Lulu Beatty, Lila Keck
Debut (Carlton): Celine Moody

AFLW Coaches Votes

10 - Eliza West (HAW)
7 - Aileen Gilroy (HAW)
5 - Abbie McKay (CARL)
5 - Greta Bodey (HAW)
2 - Emily Everist (HAW)
1 - Keeley Sherar (CARL)

AFLW Best and Fairest Votes

3 - Emily Bates (HAW)
2 - Aileen Gilroy (HAW)
1 - Breann Harrington (CARL)

Club Best and Fairest Votes

Match Highlights