NOTHING could split them.

Carlton and Port Adelaide have battled out a gripping draw at IKON Park, with honours even in the opening bout between the two sides.

Locked at 4.3 (27) come the final siren, the Blues had the Sherrin inside their forward 50 but unable to produce what would have ultimately been the winning score.

It means the Blues have a win, a draw and a loss from their opening three games, after they were forced to come from behind despite a promising start on home territory.

Kerryn Peterson was outstanding in her new role on the wing for the Blues, ending the day as arguably the most influential player on the ground, while Abbie McKay posted career-best disposal numbers for the second time in three weeks.

It was Peterson and second-gamer Keeley Skepper who got the ball rolling for the Game Changers in the early going, sharing 15 disposals between them in the opening 12 minutes. Peterson kicked just her second career goal after a one-two with the young gun, giving the Blues a two-goal ascendancy after opening the scoring through 50-gamer Elise O’Dea.

00:29

AFLW R3 | O'Dea starts off 50th game in perfect style

Elise O'Dea calmly slots this set shot to give her side the first major in her 50th AFLW game.

While the Blues kicked out to an early lead on the back of their ability to own the outside (+27 uncontested possessions in the first quarter), it was Port’s ferocity at the contest which got the visitors back in the game.

They would kick all four of their goals in the second term, overturning a 13-point deficit to lead by that margin at the main break as the Blues’ monopoly of the Sherrin dissipated.

In her milestone game, Breann Moody also hit the scoresheet in the third term to give the Blues some life, while Lucy McEvoy continued to add to her fine start to the season in defence.

00:33

AFLW R3 | Blues continue hot start through Peterson's runner

Kerryn Peterson nails this brilliant running goal late in the opening term to add to her side's dominant start.

Rounding out the clean sweep of 50 gamers recording majors, Jess Dal Pos’ first goal for Carlton came at the perfect time in the last quarter, providing the foundation for a gripping final stanza. 

After levelling the scores when Mua Laloifi’s flying shot hit the right goal post, both teams attempted to surge forward to record the winning score. A free kick to Lily Goss on the 50-metre line could’ve been the perfect final chapter for the Blues, but the ball dropped short to leave things all square.

McKay’s day ended with 26 disposals (she had 22 in Round 1), while Phoebe McWilliams put together her strongest showing as a Blue, providing a valuable link between the arcs, particularly in the second half.

Carlton will look to bounce back to winning form next Saturday when it heads to Fremantle Oval to take on the Dockers.

CARLTON                     2.1     2.1     3.1       4.3 (27)
PORT ADELAIDE           0.1     4.2    4.3       4.3 (27)

GOALS
Carlton: Dal Pos, Moody, O’Dea, Peterson

BESTS
Carlton: Peterson, McKay, Hill, Skepper, O’Dea