Game Review

Blues train rolls on at full steam over Magpies.
Carlton has ticked off a 4-0 start to the season while resigning Collingwood to the polar opposite 0-4. - By Sarah Black

Carlton is undefeated after the first month of the season, comfortably accounting for Collingwood by 39 points, with Ruby Schleicher having scored all of the Pies' tally until the dying minutes of the game. Collingwood was always an outside chance of securing a win over the fancied Blues, but it was a task made tougher by the late withdrawal of former No.1 pick Ash Centra and winger Jemma Rigoni. Carlton was also without its own young star, with Sophie McKay (ankle) a last-minute out, but it had no bearing on the final 10.8 (68) to 4.5 (29) victory at Ikon Park. Collingwood's backline did well to stand up to the onslaught of ball entering its defensive 50, but the weight of numbers (near double inside 50s in the first half) meant the floodgates were going to open at some point. Poppy Scholz kicked two in a minute in the second quarter, while small Lila Keck also booted two in the first half, and finished with three for the game. Pies skipper Schleicher was the only genuine threat forward of centre for her side, kicking Collingwood's entire half-time score of 2.3 (15) as they trailed the Blues by 13 points, and until Georgia Knight's point at the 16-minute mark of the last term, Schleicher looked like recording her team's entire tally. "We saw parts of our system come through, which was really exciting. We had some really good passages of play where we were able to overlap. Rubes looked really dangerous up there, and she's kicking herself, she could have kicked a few more. I think that's what we're after at the moment. We're under duress from a list point of view with injuries, and we need to just continue to address parts of our system and take that with us," Collingwood coach Sam Wright said.

"We've got to continue to find ways to score. First and foremost for us, that's how we move the ball - we saw last week we had 42 inside 50s. We just need those finishing players around." Carlton put the foot down after the long break, driven by Claudia Whitfort in the stoppages and Mimi Hill streaming through the centre, while Collingwood's occasional forward entry was quickly snaffled up by the Blues' professional defence. Erone Fitzpatrick's fine season on the wing and in attack continued with two third-term goals, while the resurgence of former Pie Nell Morris-Dalton was capped off with a major against her former team. Carlton had far too many midfield options for the Pies to contend with, even with ex-defender Lucy Cronin trialled in the engine room for a second time this year, while Jess Good dominated the ruck duel against draftee Josie Bamford. "I thought we had a good plan going in. We knew Collingwood would look to play an extra up around that stoppage, and try to take some of our weaponry away. But I thought our coaches went in with a solid plan and the players went and executed that really well. It was a nice, mature performance," Blues coach Mathew Buck said. "We increased our score from stoppage in this game - we've been relying on score from turnover in the first few rounds. To grow that stoppage game was a credit to the players in there." Harriet Cordner's push for back-to-back All-Australian inclusion continued with a fine performance behind the ball, while Fitzpatrick was a threat throughout. Brit Bonnici battled hard alongside Airlie Runnalls, while Jordy Allen stood tall behind the footy and saved the Pies on numerous occasions, but the visitors were well and truly outplayed by the old enemy. The Blues come away with a dominant 39 point victory to get their ninth win in a row at Ikon park. Mimi Hill was impressive all day with a game-high 31 disposals and 450 metres gained. Harriet Cordner has been exceptional in defense, she has taken eight intercept marks, including three in the forward half.

Best: M. Hill, C. Whitfort, H. Cordner, E. Fitzpatrick, J. Good, N. Morris-Dalton.

Ruby the sparkling gem
The Collingwood skipper was in fine form in attack, playing a lone hand in front of goal. It wasn't just her ability as the Pies' only tall forward inside 50 to crash packs and bring the ball to ground which was impressive but the style in which she played, with two of her majors – from different pockets – genuine goal of the week contenders. But just as impressive as Schleicher was, her exploits only highlighted Collingwood's limited options in its forward line. In the end, Schleicher kicked 3.4 (22) of the Pies' 4.5 (29).

How far they've come This was an eminently professional win by Carlton, one which three years ago would have been a far closer affair. The Blues are now not only expected to beat the Collingwoods of the AFLW, but to do so comfortably in order to shore up a top-four finish, and the four-quarter performance and improvement in the likes of the irrepressible Keck and hard-working Yas Duursma shows that Carlton is ready to mix it with the best.

Up next
Collingwood will be looking to open its account against Gold Coast on Saturday afternoon at People First Stadium, while Carlton has the biggest test of all, facing North Melbourne at Arden Street on Sunday.

Blues train rolls on at full steam over Magpies
Carlton is undefeated after the first month of the season, comfortably accounting for Collingwood by 39 points, with Ruby Schleicher having scored all of the Pies' tally until the dying minutes of the game. Collingwood was always an outside chance of securing a win over the fancied Blues, but it was a task made tougher by the late withdrawal of former No.1 pick Ash Centra and winger Jemma Rigoni. Carlton was also without its own young star, with Sophie McKay (ankle) a last-minute out, but it had no bearing on the final 10.8 (68) to 4.5 (29) victory at Ikon Park. Mimi Hill led the way for the Blues with a game-high 31 touches, with Lila Keck booting three, while Schleicher kicked 22 of Collingwood’s 29 points. Georgia Knight’s behind at the 16-minute mark of the final term was the first non-Schleicher score for the visitors - Sarah Black

Late change: Aisling Reidy came into the selected side for Sophie McKay.

In: Brooke Vickers, Aisling Reidy
Out: Gab Pound (omitted), Sophie McKay (ankle)

Umpires

Kayne Nund, Aaron Bennett, Alysha Ramsay, Emma Stark.

Interesting Facts

1. Carlton has won its last 9 matches at IKON Park.
2. Lila Keck booted 3 goals; this was a personal best for her.
3. This is the first time that Carlton has won its opening 4 matches of the season.

AFLW Coaches Votes

9 - Mimi Hill (CARL)
8 - Harriet Cordner (CARL)
5 - Claudia Whitfort (CARL)
4 - Ruby Schleicher (COLL)
2 - Jess Good (CARL)
1 - Lila Keck (CARL)
1 - Erone Fitzpatrick (CARL)

AFLW Best and Fairest Votes

Club Best and Fairest Votes

Match Highlights