As the VFLW season heads into the Easter break, we take a look at how the 2022 has unfolded so far for the Blues.
Overview:
It has been a season full of learning for this young and inexperienced side as they look to find their form for the run home.
Carlton was handed a tough draw to start with, having only played two sides outside the top six, and has already faced second-placed Essendon twice.
Wins have been hard to come by for the Blues, but gutsy victories over Collingwood and the Southern Saints capping off their two most impressive performances.
Missed opportunities at home against Port Melbourne and Darebin left Carlton ruing, while the squad also had tough days against Essendon, Hawthorn and Geelong.
Carlton has shown spirited resilience so far this campaign, considering the team has had no AFLW-listed players line up since Round 5.
VFLW-listed players Lily Goss, Maddi Wilson, Ashlee Thorneycroft, Jessica Stramandinoli and Tomay Nicolaou have also been on the injury list this season, meaning the side has seen over 30 players lace up for the Blues in just seven games.
Highlight:
Coming off three losses in a row, Carlton came up against Collingwood at IKON Park in Round 6 desperately needing a win.
The Blues had never beaten the Magpies in VFLW history and just to make the task a little more difficult, it was the first game of the season where they played no AFLW-listed players.
Carlton overcame all these challenges to show true grit and determination in their three-point win over Collingwood in a match that may prove crucial come the back-end of the season.
Millie Klingbeil was as heroic as ever that day, racking up 21 possessions and eight clearances to see the Blues over the line.
Looking ahead:
Carlton has a real opportunity to catapult itself up the ladder after the bye. Two games against the winless Bulldogs, alongside crucial games against North Melbourne and Williamstown, mean that the side has plenty of winnable games as the end of the season looms.
While Thorneycroft braces for a stint on the sidelines, Goss and Nicolaou are going well in recovery and Wilson is also not too far away.
It will be an exciting run home to finish the season, with this young Carlton team evolving with every game.
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.
