Goalkickers: T. Bohanna 3.0, E. Fitzpatrick 2.0, K. Sherar 1.0, S. McKay 1.0, B. Harrington 1.0, D. Finn 1.0, K. Skepper 0.1, A. McKAy 0.1, M. Guerin 0.1, Rushed 0.1.

Reports: Nil.

Umpires: Jordan Bannister, Kayne Nund, James Strybos.

Injuries: E. Fitzpatrick (leg).

Ladder: 7th.

Game Review

Blues produce monumental win in Brisbane

Carlton has produced an incredible 14-point win over Brisbane in enemy territory. - By Cristian Filippo, Carlton Media.

Carlton has produced one of its biggest wins in its AFLW history, stunning Brisbane by 14 points at Brighton Homes Arena. Taking on the 2023 premiers and last year’s Grand Finalists on their home deck, the Blues’ blistering second quarter set up a memorable 9.4 (58) to 6.8 (44) victory. Led brilliantly by captain Abbie McKay (32 disposals), the Blues ensured that Sìofra O’Connell’s debut was marked in the perfect fashion on a night where Sophie McKay also produced her first goal in the Navy Blue. Despite the Lions starting as the better of the two sides in general play, it was Erone Fitzpatrick who lit up the first term, producing two goals of individual brilliance. Combined with some backs-to-the-wall defending, the Blues took in a three-point lead into the first change - but it was the second term where they provided Carlton fans plenty to shout about. After conceding the opening goal of the quarter, the Blues piled on five unanswered goals, playing infectious football and converting truly to shock the home side. The run started with an opportunistic finish from Sophie McKay, giving the Blues a shot of energy that they held onto for the rest of the term. With sister Abbie commanding the middle with nine disposals for the term, it was her running partner in the midfield Keeley Sherar that provided the highlight of the night. Tucked on the boundary line, a quick-thinking snap on her non-preferred right foot sailed through for an instant Goal of the Year contender. In the ensuing minutes, goals to the impressive Dayna Finn, Tara Bohanna and Breann Harrington all of a sudden had the Blues leading by 29 points at the main break. The Lions were always going to push, and that they did, with a goal inside the first 20 seconds of the second term setting the tone for what was to come in the third quarter. The majority of the play was in the Blues’ defensive 50 as the Lions surged, breaking through for three goals - but it could’ve been more if not for the impressive work of the likes of Harriet Cordner, Rising Star candidate Poppy Scholz and Amelia Velardo on the last line. Come the final change, the Blues were still in the lead - but it had been whittled down to nine points, with only a solitary point to show on the scoreboard for the Blues. With a defining win on the line, Carlton needed someone to stand up. In just her third game for the Club, childhood Blue Tara Bohanna did exactly that. Back in Queensland, the former Gold Coast captain stood tall with a pair of goals in the opening minutes, giving the Blues a buffer to hold the Lions at bay. Individual efforts from Finn (29 disposals, one goal) and Scholz were clear indications of the Blues’ commitment to the cause, fighting for every ball with both teams out on their feet. When the siren rang at Brighton Homes Arena, Carlton had a 14-point win to show for it: its first win over the Lions since the 2020 qualifying final, and their best performance as a group in the last five years.

Best: A. McKay, D. Finn, H. Cordner, E. Fitzpatrick, T. Bohanna.

Blistering Blues stun Lions in massive scalp

Carlton has taken one of the scalps of the season, defeating last year's runner-up Brisbane by 14 points. - By Michael Whiting.

Carlton has pulled off a stunning early season upset, holding off two-time champions Brisbane by 14 points at Brighton Homes Arena on Sunday night. The Blues blew the game open with a blistering five-goal second quarter and were able to hold off an inevitable second half surge from the Lions to win 9.4 (58) to 6.8 (44). The triumph moves them to a 2-1 record, while last season’s runners-up are in an early hole, losing both matches at home to sport a 1-2 mark. Carlton’s pressure was wonderful all game, and coupled with their composure and slick ball movement, did enough to outlast their more fancied opponents. Abbie McKay was incredible, gathering 12 of her 32 disposals in the match-shaping second term, mixing excellent hands in tight with good decision-making when she had space. Dayne Finn was everywhere, finishing with 29 disposals, that included a goal, while Mimi Hill was also highly involved with her 25 touches. Tara Bohanna was an excellent target in the forward line, kicking three goals, with Erone Fitzpatrick (18 touches, eight tackles and two goals) also an excellent contributor, although she was helped from the field in the dying seconds with a leg injury. Carlton’s second quarter was as good as any footy we’ve seen against a quality opponent this season. After Dakota Davidson gave the Lions the lead early in the term, the Blues ran riot, kicking five unanswered goals on the back of infectious pressure and composed ball movement. Keeley Sherar kicked a memorable goal from the right forward pocket, Finn was on the end of a perfect Keeley Skepper pass, and when Bre Harrington took a powerful mark and converted from 40m, the visitors led by 29 points. Brisbane kicked three goals in the third term to cut the margin to nine points at the final change, but Carlton deservedly held on. The Lions were fumbly in the first half, missed too many tackles, and far too often bombed the ball into the forward line without much thought – much to the glee of a well-structured Blues backline who gobbled up entry after entry. The Blues scored 7.2 to 3.5 from intercept chains and 6.2 to 1.4 from forward-half chains tonight. This includes 4.1 to 1.3 from 7-10 forward-50 chains. The Lions recorded 50-31 inside 50s tonight, including 40-24 from midfield chains. They were able to score 3.0 to 0.1 from 11-5 centre bounce chains, but were wasteful from defensive midfield and attacking midfield chains, scoring a combined 2.4 to 3.1 from 29-19 chains between these two zones. Danya Finn has recorded a career-high 29 disposals - smashing her previous high of 17 disposals. She also recorded a career-high 12 intercepts, 16 contested possessions, and 10 marks.

Some Sherar magic
In the midst of Carlton’s blistering second quarter came a little piece of magic from Keeley Sherar. After trying to square the ball from deep in the right forward pocket, the Sherrin found its way back into her hands from a more acute angle. But, as the saying goes, if at first you don’t succeed, try again, and Sherar threaded the needle from an almost impossible angle for a wonderful goal.

Early struggles for Brisbane
The Lions are no strangers to slow season starts – they did likewise in 2023 before going on to win the premiership – but Craig Starcevich has some headaches. They generated 49 inside 50s to the Blues’ 31, but rarely looked like troubling the well set-up Carlton defence. A few players are struggling for consistency through the early stages of the year, and with Adelaide (away) and premier North Melbourne (home) in the next fortnight, they have to find some answers fast.

Up next
Carlton will be out to solidify its spot in the top eight when it hosts the Western Bulldogs at Ikon Park next Saturday at 3.05pm. It doesn’t get any easier for Brisbane, off to Norwood Oval on Sunday (12.35 ACST) to face old rivals, Kuwarna.

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

Team

In: Siofra O'Connell
Out: Mia Austin (omitted)

Milestones

Debut: Siofra O'Connell
First Goal: Sophie McKay

AFLW Coaches Votes

10 - Abbie McKay CARL
6 - Erone Fitzpatrick CARL
5 - Breann Harrington CARL
4 - Tara Bohanna CARL
4 - Dayna Finn CARL
1 - Isabel Dawes BL

AFLW Best and Fairest Votes

3 - Abbie McKay (CARL)
2 - Tara Bohanna (CARL)
1 - Mimi Hill (CARL)

Club Best and Fairest Votes

Match Highlights