AFTER what seems like forever, the first game of the AFLW season is here. 

Carlton will be taking on arch rivals Collingwood at Ikon Park tonight after the abrupt end to the 2020 season.

With strength added to their line-up over the offseason, the Blues will be looking to pick up where they left off and start the season off strong with a win. 

Details: Ikon Park, Thursday 28 January, 7:15pm AEST.
Broadcast: Channel 7 from 7pm, womens.afl, SEN 1116, ABC radio 

Tickets for the game are selling fast | Click here to get yours

The game in focus:

In what is sure to be a tough contest, both teams will be battling it out to make their mark on the 2021 season. 

With Collingwood narrowly missing out on a preliminary final and Carlton’s shot at the Grand Final cut short due to COVID, both teams have something to prove straight off the bat. 

Carlton will have four new players wearing the Navy Blue tonight, with Elise O’Dea, Maddy Guerin, Charlotte Hammans and Mimi Hill all making their debut for the Blues. 

Abbie McKay will make her first appearance since 2019 while Brooke Vernon will play her second senior game.

After losing its perfect record against Collingwood the last time these two sides met, Carlton will be looking to get one back against its biggest rivals. 

What to watch:

It’s been a year since Maddy Prespakis was announced the AFLW Best and Fairest, and she will certainly be bringing her A-game to the fold after picking up the three votes in last year's season opener against Richmond. 

Alongside seasoned midfielder Elise O’Dea, Prespakis will make her presence known in the middle, winning first possession and setting up scoring opportunities for the Blues.

Debutant Mimi Hill will make her first appearance across half forward with the likes of Tayla Harris and Nicola Stevens, while she's also expected to spend some time on the wing in her first AFLW game. 

Seasoned Blue Jess Hosking will swap her half-back position for a stint in the forward line, adding experience and depth to the forward 50. 

Blue view:

It has been 10 months since Victorians have been able to watch live footy. 

Carlton fans and players alike will be looking forward to having the stands at Ikon Park occupied again, supporting their team in the flesh. 

A SLOW start at Ikon Park left Carlton wanting in the first match of the 2021 AFLW season.

The Pies defeated the Blues by six points after quelling their second-half comeback efforts in the traditional rivalry.

Here is how the game played out at Ikon Park.

Quarter 1:

The first quarter was as scrappy as this traditional rivalry promised it to be, with both sides looking for a score at the first break. The Pies started strong with repeat entries inside 50, but were quelled every time by a valiant Blues defence featuring young gun Charlotte Wilson. From there the new Blues took charge, with Elise O’Dea showing leadership through the centre to finish the quarter on three disposals and two tackles. Mimi Hill was also a strong starter in her debut game, collecting four disposals before the quarter was up. 

Quarter 2:

Collingwood took control of the game in the second quarter. After another tied up five minutes to open the quarter, the Pies notched their first of the day which quickly became four. Despite tireless work from superstar Maddy Prespakis and the hard hit to end all hard hits from Katie Loynes, the Blues struggled to get inside 50 as the quarter progressed. Carlton finished the first half looking desperately for an avenue to attack and open their account in season 2021.

Quarter 3:

Carlton needed a spark heading into the third quarter, with senior coach Daniel Harford moving down to the bench for the second half. Defender-turned-forward Nicola Stevens took it upon herself to be the difference for the Blues, kicking true to notch their first goal of the day. From then on, the Blues got on a roll with a classy goal from Darcy Vescio followed by the forgotten first AFLW goal from another ex-defender, Jess Hosking. The Pies finished the quarter strongly with a goal of their own, but the fourth quarter was there to be won with the Blues going in with a 13-point deficit.

Quarter 4:

The game was there for the taking at the beginning of the final quarter. Levelling up the inside 50 count, the Blues launched into attack with repeat entries over the opening minutes of the term. But a tireless Collingwood defence kept Carlton at bay despite Hosking's attempt at doubling her career goal count. Despite keeping the Pies goalless in the final quarter and a last minute clunk from co-captain Kerryn Harrington, a goal on the siren wasn't enough to secure the four points. 

Moment of the match:

It was a first goal four years in the making. A career defender, Jess Hosking made the switch into attack in the off-season to start in Carlton's forward line on Thursday night. Two quick goals from Nicola Stevens and Darcy Vescio set up Hosking with a chance, and a certain kick saw Blues across the ground celebrate the inaugural Blue. 

Three things from the game:

1. Carlton's young defenders are beginning to mature. Through a Collingwood onslaught, third-year Blue Charlotte remained a consistent performer in a backline under attack. Wilson finished the first game of the season with eight disposals and five marks. 

2. Grace Egan is the chaos midfielder we love to see at the centre bounce. After a standout first year in Navy Blue, Egan showed she's back better than ever in her second year. She finished the clash with 13 disposals, only trailing league best and fairest Maddy Prespakis in Navy Blue possessions.

3. The new Blues aren't wasting any time making a name for themselves. AFLW veteran Elise O'Dea showed plenty of heart in her new colours, consistently sparking the group through the midfield with her fiery pressure. But the real standout came from new draftee Mimi Hill, whose tireless work in the midfield earned her 12 disposals in her debut clash. 

Match Summary

CARLTON               0.0     0.0     3.1     4.3     (27)
COLLINGWOOD     0.1     4.2     5.2     5.3     (33)          

GOALS
Carlton: Stevens, Vescio, Hosking, Harrington

BEST
Carlton: Prespakis, Egan, Wilson, Hosking, McKay

Crowd: 6712 at Ikon Park