CARLTON has fallen by 18 points in the season opener against Collingwood.

In an at-times heated affair at IKON Park, the Blues stuck wth the Pies in the early going before a second quarter ultimately proved to be decisive in the final result.

It was a night where three new faces - Amelia Velardo, Phoebe McWilliams and AFLW debutant Mia Austin - fronted up for the Blues, while fan favourite Darcy Vescio celebrated 50 career games in Navy Blue.

It was an even start, with Carlton’s tall timber firing in attack to keep the scoreboard ticking over for the home side.

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AFLW R1 | Aero-Austin flies to nail first major of the season

Mia Austin takes a fantastic grab and kicks her first career goal.

Initially, it was Mia Austin - playing her first game of AFLW football - who showed exactly why she was so highly rated by the Blues’ recruiters. Taking a contested mark, she kicked truly from the set shot for the opening goal of season seven.

After Vescio levelled the scores in their milestone game, it was Collingwood who came out the stronger of the two sides in the second term.

Despite Carlton’s backline defending their goal strongly, a flurry of inside 50s ultimately saw Collingwood break through with a pair of goals to give the visitor a 14-point half-time lead.

Brea Moody was a source of inspiration in the ruck, showing her class with a clever collect and snap in the goal square to give the Blues some hope in front of the Legends Stand.

Then there was Lucy McEvoy, who overcame shoulder surgery to be out there in the season opener. She put together a fine individual showing behind the ball, amassing 24 disposals and six tackles for the night.

While the Game Changers were in with a fighting chance at the final change, a goalless quarter from both sides in the last quarter meant the home side fell by 18 points in the season opener.

Mimi Hill ended the night as the most prolific with 26 disposals, while her midfield partner Abbie McKay recorded a career-best 23 disposals (10 contested).

Carlton’s next game will come at North Port Oval next Sunday, coming up against Essendon for the first time in the AFLW competition.

CARLTON                         2.0     2.0     3.0       3.0 (18)
COLLINGWOOD             2.0     4.2     5.4       5.6 (36)

GOALS
Carlton: Austin, Moody, Vescio

BESTS
Carlton: McEvoy, Hill, Moody, McKay, Dal Pos