CARLTON put on a show in their final game of the season with the home side running out 83-point winners over the Bulldogs, sending a special goodbye to the retiring Jennifer Lew.
A six-goal bag from Steph Lawrence alongside her 20 disposals meant the forward put in a best-on-ground performance, one that she’ll likely remember for a long time.
Her performance was supported by many, especially from Millie Klingbeil, who finished with 22 disposals, eight clearances and two goals.
Quarter one
The Blues got off to a hot start with Steph Lawrence kicking a goal inside the first minute, after she played on with no one on the mark. The crafty forward soon had her second goal when she quickly snapped a shot goalward from a marking contest, the ball bouncing through to give Carlton a quick 13-point lead. Both sides had forward entries, however it was the home side who looked for more dangerous with their fast ball movement causing the Bulldogs’ defence some headaches. Carlton showcased some of their best football of the season late in the quarter when Olivia Madden kickstarted a skilful chain of play that took the home side from deep in the defensive 50 to a third Lawrence goal at the top of the goal square.
Quarter two
The Blues picked up where they left off to begin the second term, with Millie Klingbeil dribbling one through after she expertly roved the marking contest. The Bulldogs steadied though, as they began repelling the relentless Carlton pressure. Klingbeil and Lily Goss continued to dominate in the middle, however it was the exciting play of young Rylie Wilcox that was most impressive, accumulating plenty of the ball in the first half and playing a damaging role off half forward. The Bulldogs were able to stave off the home side for the majority of the quarter, until a late opportunity presented itself for Serena Gibbs who duly obliged to kick the Blues’ second of the quarter. It seemed only a matter of time before Lawrence kicked her fourth, once again turning on a dime before bending it through the big sticks to add to the Bulldogs’ woes.
Quarter three
The Bulldogs came out of the main break with more intensity, forcing Carlton to do some early defending. The Blues quickly regained their focus though, with Lawrence finding herself in the right place at the right time to nail home her fifth. The Bulldogs was under siege thereafter with players like Maddi Di Cosmo continuously intercepting the ball as they try and go the other way. The goals kept on tallying up for the home side, finishing with 10 unanswered for the game as the teams headed in for the final change.
Quarter four
Ella Smallacombe got Carlton off to a good start in the final term when she kicked accurately after taking a good grab in a marking contest. The next ten minutes saw very little in the way of opportunity for either side with the Blues having the majority share of territory. Eventually, Carlton were able to make a breakthrough, with Gibbs nabbing her third of the contest. A late goal for Vanessa Murphy was a just reward for her effort throughout the day, with their thirteenth goal of the day ensuring the match will live long in the memory.
Match Summary:
Carlton: 3.3.21 6.4.40 10.7.67 13.7.85
Bulldogs: 0.1.1 0.1.1 0.1.1 0.2.2
Goals: Lawrence 6, Gibbs 3, Klingbeil 2, Murphy, Smallacombe.
Best: Lawrence, Klingbeil, Gibbs, Goss, Di Cosmo, Murphy.
Stafford says:
“It was such a great day today; it was fantastic that the girls could play their best footy in the final game of the season. They should be really excited about the growth going forward. A special mention, it was so special for us to get the win for our legend Jennifer Lew in her last game. Go well Jen.”
