An inspired team effort from Melbourne has kept them in the hunt for a spot in the AFLW Grand Final, following a 35-point thrashing over a dispirited Carlton outfit.
Melbourne dominated from start-to-finish at Ikon Park, completely outclassing their opponents all over the ground as they made the Blues look second-rate in front of their home crowd.
With everything to play for, Melbourne came out firing in a first quarter blitz, with the Blues simply having no answer for the havoc transpiring before them.
Three goals in the first five minutes spelled trouble for Carlton early as the Demons dominated possession of the ball and managed to convert with Elise O’Dea drawing first blood before Tegan Cunningham piled on two goals of her own.
O'Dea finished the quarter with three majors, her dominance alongside Cunningham destroying what little confidence resided within the Carlton camp.
Everything the Demons touched turned to gold in the first term, and Carlton couldn't escape their pressure and struggled to contain the class of their opposition's midfield.
In what can only be described as 15 minutes of carnage, the Blues could only muster a solitary behind as three more goals Melbourne goals saw them break the record for an AFLW quarter-time margin (38 points).
After putting up an embarrassing performance in the first term, a quarter time rev-up from coach Damien Keeping would pay dividends for the Blues as they came out a much more inspired and classier outfit.
Two quick goals resulted, including a brilliant 40m effort by marquee player Tayla Harris which would get Carlton fans out of their seats and breathe some life back into her side.
Darcy Vescio followed with an excellent snap from the goal square to trim the margin back to 26 points.
With the Blues on the march, it would take a crucial mark and goal by star forward Tegan Cunningham to ease her side's nerves and allow them to take a 34-point buffer going into the main break.
It would have to take an astounding effort from the Blues in the second half to get back into the game, but a comeback never came to fruition as Melbourne were again able to hold off their advances.
In a very even term, neither team could take a stranglehold on the game with both defences standing up superbly.
The period would be marred by a suspected ACL injury to Melbourne veteran Melissa Hickey, who landed awkwardly after a bump and was pictured in tears as she was helped off the ground by trainers.
This would see the match take a sombre tone in the final stages of the quarter and flatten players mentally across the ground.
With only three behinds for Melbourne and one for Carlton being scored, the Demons slugged through the quarter with a convincing 36-point lead going into the final change.
With the win seemingly sewn up, percentage was on Melbourne's mind in the last quarter as they looked to solidify their chances in claiming an Grand Final spot.
Georgia Gee kicked off proceedings for Carlton however with her first AFLW goal as the Blues looked to make life hard for the Demons.
But they would eventually run out of gas as Melbourne got back on top through the middle of the ground and piled pressure back on Carlton’s defence.
Tegan Cunningham opted against lining up for her fourth and hit up teammate Kate Hore who duly converted to finish off an excellent performance by the Demons.
It would end up being a very handy percentage booster for Melbourne, who ended with a percentage of 119.3 jumped into second on the ladder two points clear of the third-placed Greater Western Sydney.
Next week will see Melbourne face the top-of-the-table Bulldogs in a crucial clash at VU Whitten Oval - the winner guaranteed a spot in the Grand Final.
Carlton on the other hand will look to finish off their disappointing season with a good performance as they face Fremantle in a bottom-of-the ladder clash.
CARLTON 0.1 2.1 2.2 3.4 (22) MELBOURNE 6.3 7.5 7.8 8.9 (57)
GOALS Carlton: Harris, Vescio, Gee Melbourne: O’Dea 3, Cunningham 3, Hore 2
BEST
Melbourne: O’Dea, Cunningham, Scott, D.Pearce
Carlton: Gee, Gillespie-Jones, Vescio
Comments