Carlton's substandard season has been capped off after taking out the infamous wooden spoon following an 11-point defeat at the hands of Fremantle in blustery conditions at Fremantle Oval.
The Dockers managed to avoid the AFLW's least-coveted honour after piling on three quick goals in the final quarter to break away from the persistent Blues.
While the result of the game didn't influence the shape of the AFLW top-two, the battle of the spoon proved to be a far more exciting clash than previously anticipated.
With both teams' pride on the line, the Dockers and Blues came out firing - the physicality and pressure evident from players all over the ground.
Dana Hooker (25 disposals) made her mark early, getting plenty of the ball and giving her team plenty of opportunities to move forward.
Fremantle subsequently capitalised with a goal to skipper Kara Donnellan, and with the 32km/h winds blowing in their favour, looked poised to establish a healthy lead.
Yet the Blues didn't let the unfavourable conditions prevent them from scoring, with goals to Tayla Harris and Alison Downie, the latter of whom sold some serious candy and showed silky foot skills to give the Blues the lead.
Determined not to let her final game result in a loss, Amy Lavell put the Dockers back in front, and nearly jagged a second only moments later after bursting free from a pack.
The lead however was soured after Gabby O'Sullivan went down following a bump which she was unprepared for, resulting in her sitting out the rest of the game.
With the Dockers one woman down and the wind now blowing their way, the quarter belonged to Carlton as they wrangled the ball under their control and limited the Dockers to just the one major.
But Carlton's 1.5 for the term was far less than what they were hoping for, allowing the Dockers to escape with only a three-point deficit at the main change.
Fremantle's fortune was beneficial in terms of the score, but their injury woes worsened, this time with a knee injury to ruckman Alicia Janz, who on crutches and in a brace, joined O'Sullivan on the sidelines.
Despite their inaccuracy, Harris shined for the Blues and looked to be the one to finally break Carlton's four-game losing streak.
The signs of a win looked even more promising courtesy of a Darcy Vescio major in the opening minute, but back-to-back Fremantle goals prevented the Blues from maintaining the lead.
With neither team wanting to finish in last place, the intensity jumped up several notches during the quarter, resulting in casualties on both sides.
Shae Audley was escorted from the field by trainers after receiving a head knock in a tackle, while Harris was bumped late off the ball by Donnellan, who was straight off the ground and on the phone to coach Michelle Cowan straightaway after her actions resulted in a Katie Loynes major.
Spot fire melees broke out around the ground following Donnellan's bump, cranking up the intensity even further.
A brutal mid-air collision between Harris and Hayley Miller however emphasised just how much the game meant to the two sides.
Running at full pace with the flight of the ball, Miller was collected by the incoming Harris, whose knee hit the former square in the chest.
With both players down and being attended to by club medicos, play was stopped, giving fellow teammates and fans alike the time to realise just how courageous the two superstars were.
Both players miraculously played out the remainder of the game.
Running out of women to take to the field, the Dockers turned to Lavell who booted a goal after the siren to give her side a three-point lead going into the final quarter.
Three terrific goals in a row to the Dockers from Ashley Sharp, Ebony Antonio and Hooker gave the Dockers some much-needed breathing room as the Carlton offensive refused to relent.
While the Blues had their chances, another inaccurate 1.5 quarter destroyed their chances of a morale-boosting win.
Although both teams suffered a disappointing 2018, the endeavour and persistence seen at Fremantle Oval proved there's still fire in their bellies.
2019 can't come quick enough.
FREMANTLE 2.2 3.2 6.4 9.5 (59) CARLTON 2.0 3.5 5.7 6.12 (48)
GOALS Fremantle: Lavell 2, Donnellan, Miller, Webb, Gibson, Sharp, Antonio, Hooker Carlton: Harris 2, Downie 2, Vescio, Loynes
BEST
Fremantle: Hooker, Webb, Lavell
Carlton: Harris, Loynes, S. Hosking
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