Carlton has secured the maiden win of the AFLW season, overcoming their rivals in Collingwood in what was a low-scoring affair at Ikon Park.
While the crowd of 19,852 was shy of last year’s lockout crowd of 24,568, the hype was all the same for the opening game of the season.
Collingwood got off to the ideal start, with Jasmine Garner slotting the first goal in the opening 90 seconds thanks to midfielder Stephanie Chiocci’s skilful ball movement.
Within the first three minutes, Chiocci had gathered four possessions and one inside 50, her fast-paced attack setting the tone for the Magpies early in the piece.
Yet the Blues fought back, their defensive zoning halting the Collingwood forward offensive and locking the Magpies to their back half.
The resultant pressure from the Blues saw goals to Kate Shierlaw and Tayla Harris, the latter of whom took a spectacular contested mark to convert the Blues’ second.
At quarter-time, Carlton led the inside 50 count 8-2, reflective with a lead of seven points.
The Blues extended their lead early in the second quarter with a goal to Alison Downie, yet neither team were able to accumulate a clean entry to their forward half for most of the term.
While the Magpies showed glimpses of their composure and link-up play along the wings, they were only able to amass two marks from their 10 inside 50s.
The only major came off the boot of Amelia Barden, who narrowed the margin to a single kick at the main change.
As the second half got underway, Collingwood looked dangerous when they had space, yet the Carlton press limited this freedom, resulting in only three minor scores for the term.
The game was not without controversy, with Magpie Sarah D’Arcy kicking Sarah Hosking in the groin following a marking contest.
D’Arcy was placed on report, while Hosking continued to play the remainder of the game.
A final-quarter comeback was certainly on the cards for Collingwood, yet only managed the one behind from a Melissa Kuys set shot.
The Magpies were unable to seize their opportunities moving forward, despite a standout quarter from Chloe Molloy, who racked up a game-high 20 touches.
The lack of a Collingwood forward structure contributed to their eight-point loss, with superstar Mo Hope’s presence minimal.
Hope and her Carlton counterpart, Darcy Vescio, failed to have major impact for the game, with a combined 13 disposals and zero score involvements.
Carlton will hope to secure their second win against Greater Western Sydney at Drummoyne Oval, while the Magpies will face Fremantle in the first AFL match at Optus Stadium.
CARLTON 2.1 3.1 3.4 3.4 (22) COLLINGWOOD 1.0 2.1 2.1 2.2 (14)
GOALS Carlton: Shierlaw, Harris, Downie Collingwood: Garner, Barden
BEST
Carlton: Harris, Hardiman, J. Hosking
Collingwood: Molloy, Chiocci, Lambert
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