IN A wet and wild affair at IKON Park, Carlton were unable to adapt to the conditions as well as their opponents.

Port Melbourne’s strong first half when the weather was drier proved to be the difference between the two sides, before the heavy rain thwarted the Blues’ comeback effort.

Quarter one

The match started off as a contested affair, with the slippery conditions making it difficult for either side to find attacking fluency. The deadlock was broken shortly after however, with Charlotte Hammans rolling one through for the first goal of the game. The goal seemed to inspire Port Melbourne however, with the Borough responding with two quick goals of their own. With rain beginning to fall, the contest became scrappier, with marks and link-up play hard to come by. Ashlee Thorneycroft adapted to the conditions expertly, her five clearances setting the tone for the Blues.

Quarter two

It was a passive start to the second term from both teams, although the Borough were taking hold of the possession and territory battle. Carlton resisted well to begin with through the likes of Annie Lee and Lily Goss, but Port Melbourne eventually broke the dam wall to score their third of the match. The Blues began to create chances of their own, however they couldn’t capitalise in front of goal.

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Quarter three

The Blues started the third with confidence, quickly putting their second goal on the board after Lily Goss kicked truly. Carlton kept piling on the pressure, with the ball rarely leaving their forward half, but they struggled to convert their opportunities. Millie Klingbeil, Bry Gurr, and Poppy Schaap all led the way for the Blues with strong bodywork, alongside clean and composed skills in the slippery conditions.

Quarter four

Carlton were able to seize their momentum to begin the final 20 minutes, with Jessica Stramandinoli executing a mid-air kick in the goal square to make it a five-point game. The Borough quickly responded with a well taken snap from the boundary finding its way through the big sticks. The game became a slog as the rain poured down. Klingbeil and Thornycroft finished the game strongly, ending up with 20 and 19 disposals respectively, but their efforts weren’t enough to get the team over the line.

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Score Summary:

Carlton          1.1.7      1.3.9     2.5.17     3.5.23

Port Melbourne   2.3.15   3.8.26   3.10.28   5.13.43

GOALS 
Goss, Hammans, Stramandinoli

BEST
Klingbeil, Thornycroft, Di Cosmo, Schaap

Stafford says:

"We didn't adapt to the conditions as good as the opposition and they were better for longer. It is very disappointing but we need to move on pretty quickly to next week."
 
Benjamin Hann is a student at La Trobe University, undergoing his Bachelor of Media and Communications (Sports Journalism). He is currently undertaking an internship at the Carlton Football Club as part of its partnership with La Trobe University.