Game Review

Blues weather the storm to bring down Hawks in Ikon Park slog.
Carlton races out to an early lead and is never headed in a 12-point win over Hawthorn. - By Sarah Black.

Carlton has gutsed out a 12-point win over Hawthorn in a game that did not stop raining from siren to siren. The Blues led for the entirety of the game, racing out to a three-goal lead at quarter-time, and were never headed in the 5.6 (36) to 3.6 (24) result, even as the Hawks peppered their own attacking 50. The forecast wasn't promising even a few days out from the game, and the rain teemed down at Ikon Park, with a few hardy fans in ponchos braving the boundary line. This was not the game for delicate kicks, set plays and fancy handball chains. Like the men's edition between these two clubs earlier this year at the MCG, this was wet-weather footy at its purest – see ball, get ball, bomb ball as far as you can and hope for the best. It took eight minutes for a score, and it was Sophie McKay who got the Blues off to the perfect start, quickly followed by Dayna Finn and Erone Fitzpatrick – all three goals coming in general play, directly in front of the big sticks, as Hawthorn's defence struggled to stay afloat. Such were the conditions, just 14 marks were taken in the first term between the two sides, while 52 tackles were laid.

Poppy Stockwell got the Hawks on the board during the second term, as her side began to control more of the general play and lock it in its forward half, holding the Blues scoreless in the process. The rewards started to come for Hawthorn in the third term. With the rain continuing to teem down, Stockwell saluted for her second, and Kaitlyn Ashmore tied things up a minute later. But Carlton ceded the lead for less than 30 seconds, Irish speedster Erone Fitzpatrick relishing the familiar conditions to kick Carlton clear again. Hawthorn was dominating the inside-50 count to three-quarter time, leading 43-20, but trailed by eight points, unable to make meaningful entries in attack (albeit in difficult weather). It took until the 10th minute of the final quarter for Carlton to finally establish the match-winning lead, with Keeley Sherar sneaking out the back, while Greta Bodey tried to pull off a miracle three-soccer effort down the other end that was touched on the line. Lily Goss had an occasional run-with role on Hawthorn ball-winner Eliza West, who finished with 20 touches, while Carlton captain Abbie McKay was superb with a game-high 33 disposals and six clearances. Despite losing the inside 50 count by 23, Carlton were able to make the most of their forward 50 opportunities, scoring from 38 per cent of their inside 50s, compared to 17 per cent from Hawthorn. The Blues scored 3.2.20 from 24 forward half intercepts, where as the Hawks only managed 0.4.4 from 38 forward half intercepts.

The ladder now
Things are a likely to be a little tighter for Hawthorn after the close loss. If Fremantle beats West Coast in the Western Derby on Sunday, the Hawks will be four points adrift of the top eight. Carlton has leapt back into the top four and remain well and truly in touch with the competition's pacesetters.

Up next
Both teams have a longer break, not playing until Sunday after their Thursday night match the week prior. Hawthorn host Brisbane at the Kennedy Community Centre for its Pride Round home match, while Carlton travel to Henson Park to take on the in-form Sydney.

Best: A. McKay, E. Fitzpatrick, C. Whitfort, K. Sherar, M. Hill, P. Scholz.

Buck's Blues stand up with another win.
Mathew Buck's post-Round 8 press conference. - By Carlton Media.

Take your moment. AFLW Senior Coach Mathew Buck was pleased with another Carlton victory, this time in torrential conditions at IKON Park. Kicking out to an early lead and then holding on in a four-quarter slog, Buck said the defensive grit and pride of the group was on show as the Blues ensured they emerged from the 2026 AFLW Carlton Respects Game with a win. Here’s what he had to say.

On how the game played out:
“It was really tough, really slippery. It was a game of momentum: if you get the ball going your way, it gave you the ability to play the game in your end which gave more chances to score. “It took us back to our elimination final last year against West Coast in really similar conditions. We had a little look at that prior to the game, I thought it set us up well for what to expect during the game. That helped us start the game really strong, with our ability to take the game forward and be happy to play in a scrap and rely on some grit. “It was a game of needing to take your moment. We had those opportunities, and the players buried them really well.”

On a big defensive effort:
“The numbers tonight didn’t worry me too much, it was more play the moment that’s in front of you and shut up shop late, put some numbers behind the ball and defend the lead. “I’m not sure the numbers will tell the true story of how the game was played. Hawthorn was great, I thought their second half was incredibly good and they stood up around the ball and outnumbered us more often than not. “Our defenders are pretty miserly, they don’t want to give too much up: a big shoutout to those guys again, who keep holding up really well.”

On emerging combinations all over the field:
“They’ve got the combination back there, with Síofra O’Connell who continues to grow every week. Maddy Hendrie’s athletic ability probably goes unnoticed, she’s a terrific deep defender and gets the job done time and time again. “Gab Pound came back in and was fantastic, Brooke Vickers has played a lot of footy with us now and slotted in at half-back this year and doing a steady job. The defensive unit has been really good, and we’ve got some midfielders who transition really well. “Abbie McKay and Mimi Hill have been around for a long time, and the combination with Claudia Whitfort going through and Lily Goss - who is super defensively minded - is allowing us to defend the ground well.”

On Abbie McKay’s impact on the game:
“I thought she started a little bit slow, but she digs in really well. Her ability to understand what the game needs from her, to get the ball out to our runners when needed or to take ground needed - she will do anything to make sure the team wins, whether that’s getting a heap of the ball or getting none of the ball. “Abbie has had an outstanding year to this point off the back of a huge pre-season, she’s started the year really strongly and been one of the great midfielders in the competition. “She plays the game a little bit differently to others, her ability to get the ball from inside to outside - which is difficult in the AFLW competition - is something she does really well. I think she’s a great leader amongst our group, in her second year as captain, she’s been outstanding.”

On potential returns from injury in coming weeks:
“Lila will still be a little bit more time, she’s still in a boot. Darcy could be available over the next two weeks, it’ll either be this week coming or the week after. We’ve got a bit of a longer break this time, that’ll be helpful.”

Blues weather the storm to bring down Hawks in Ikon Park slog.
Carlton gutsed out a 12-point win over Hawthorn in a game that featured heavy rain from siren to siren. The Blues led for the entirety of the game, racing out to a three-goal lead at quarter-time, and were never headed in the 5.6 (36) to 3.6 (24) result, even as the Hawks peppered their own attacking 50. This was not the game for delicate kicks, set plays and fancy handball chains. Like the men's edition between these two clubs earlier this year at the MCG, this was wet-weather footy at its purest – see ball, get ball, bomb ball as far as you can and hope for the best. Carlton skipper Abbie McKay set a new Carlton AFLW disposal record with 34 touches, while the fine season of Hawthorn recruit Poppy Stockwell continued with another two goals. - AFLW Staff Writers.

In: Gab Pound.
Out: Amelia Velardo (managed).

AFLW Coaches Votes

9 - Erone Fitzpatrick (CARL)
6 - Abbie McKay (CARL)
6 - Claudia Whitfort (CARL)
4 - Lucy Wales (HAW)
2 - Madeline Hendrie (CARL)
2 - Jenna Richardson (HAW)
1 - Mimi Hill (CARL)

AFLW Best and Fairest Votes

Club Best and Fairest Votes

Match Highlights