Goalkickers: E. Fitzpatrick 2.1, T. Bohanna 1., P. Scholz 1.0, L. Goss 1.0, M. Austin 1.0, M. Guerin 0.2, M. Hill 0.1, D. Finn 0.1, Rushed 0.3.

Reports: Nil.

Umpires: Samuel Nippress, Ray Chamberlain, Emma Stark.

Injuries: Nil.

Ladder: 5th.

Game Review

Blues put on show to open season in style

Established and emerging stars shone on a great opening night for the AFLW Blues. - By Sarah Black for AFL.com.au.

Ten seasons on from the inaugural AFLW game, Carlton has once again reigned supreme over Collingwood, recording a 24-point win to open the season. It was a mature performance from the developing Carlton side, steadying after some early nerves to set up the 6.9 (45) to 3.3 (21) victory at IKON Park in front of a healthy crowd of 8,042. Blues vice-captain Mimi Hill drove the victory, afforded an inordinate amount of space as she recorded 18 disposals in the first half and 32 for the match. Sabrina Frederick – an inaugural player in her own right – converted the first goal of the game from a fairly similar spot to where Jasmine Garner did 10 seasons ago, and like the Pies all those years ago, it signalled a false dawn. It was a more composed Carlton which took to the field in the second term, running in waves and sending the ball into attack with more purpose. Defender Poppy Scholz – the younger sister of Port Adelaide star Matilda – settled into her first AFLW game nicely, using the ball well and even kicking her first goal in the second term, after an undisciplined shove and 50m penalty from senior Pie Brit Bonnici. It helped Carlton to a nine-point lead at the major break, with new recruit Tara Bohanna also kicking truly to secure her first major for her childhood club. Both teams struggled at times to keep their structure in place forward of the footy, but it was a much-improved effort year-on-year by the teams that finished 18th and 14th last season. The ball movement was markedly better – particularly from Carlton – with a number of clean passages of play. It was just accuracy in front of goal that eluded the Blues, until the returning Erone Fitzpatrick completed a scintillating one-two at full speed to kick her second, with Lily Goss' quick snap taking it out to a four-goal margin at three-quarter time. Darcy Vescio played a full game at half-back and showed some nice composure, while Breann Harrington (nee Moody) was a key conduit into attack. Carlton opens the tenth AFLW season with a win. Mimi Hill led the way with a game-high 32 disposals, 17 contested possessions, six clearances, six inside 50s, and four score involvements.

Generational handover
Carlton and Collingwood invited along the former players who took to the park for the first AFLW game, 10 seasons ago, and they graced the field before the first bounce. But after "Razor" Ray Chamberlain's opening whistle, it was time for the kids, the first iteration of the first fully national draft. Scholz looked as far from a debutant as you can get, Pies father-daughter Violet Patterson showed plenty of dash on the wing, and Carlton's own father-daughter Sophie McKay worked her way into the game beautifully in attack.

Best: M. Hill, A.McKay, E. Fitzpatrick, B. Harrington, D. Finn.

Team

Milestones

Debut and First Goal: Sophie McKay, Poppy Scholz
Debut and First Goal (Carlton): Tara Bohanna

AFLW Coaches Votes

10 - Mimi Hill CARL
7 - Erone Fitzpatrick CARL
5 - Brittany Bonnici COLL
4 - Breann Harrington CARL
3 - Poppy Scholz CARL
1 - Keeley Sherar CARL

AFLW Best and Fairest Votes

3 - Mimi Hill (CARL)
2 - Abbie McKay (CARL)
1 - Ruby Schleicher (COLL)

Club Best and Fairest Votes

Match Highlights