TWO IN a row.
Carlton delivered another convincing win against North Melbourne in Round 4.
Leading from the two-minute mark of the game, Carlton finished with a 35-point victory away from home, keeping North goalless in two terms.
Millie Kingbeil (25 disposals, seven clearances), Madeleine Di Cosmo and Taylor Ortlepp (both 21 disposals and four clearances) delivered strong performances in the midfield while Mia Cowan, Eliza Wood and Brooke Vickers all contributed two goals each.
Chloe Bain managed nine tackles, while her and Emily Hurley totalled 19 and 18 hitouts respectively.
Quarter one
It was a slog of a first term, with both teams unable to find their feet in wet and windy conditions. North Melbourne’s physical pressure was rampant, wrapping up Carlton at any chance (33-14 tackles) with heavy numbers around the ball. A mark in the goal square for North looked like a certain goal, but Paige Trudgeon provided a smother that gave her team a lift. The Blues had some reward for effort at the 10-minute mark of the term when Georgia Tait slotted the first goal of the game, with the Blues having repeat entries into their forward line (7-2 inside 50s). The Blues held a one-point lead heading into the second quarter.
Quarter two
Carlton held the territory in the second term, keeping North Melbourne scoreless. Despite spending most of the play in their forward half (18-6 inside 50s at the half), the Blues were unable to capitalise on the scoreboard, only scoring the one goal through Eliza Wood. Mia Cowan offered some good opportunities but was unable to convert, while Emily Hurley was a rock in defence with her intercept marking. Chloe Bain was strong in the contest, managing five tackles to half time, whilst Madeleine Di Cosmo (14 disposals) and Millie Klingbeil (11 disposals) did their best to generate scoring opportunities.
Quarter three
The Blues once again kept the ball in their possession, but were unable to do any real damage on the scoreboard in the early part of the term. They ultimately managed two goals to North’s one in the third term, with Cowan finally getting some reward for her constant forward 50 effort. Taylor Ortlepp did well in the middle, managing four clearances for the game, using her tenacity at the contest to burst through packs. Carlton evened up the hitouts - an area it was struggling with in the first half - through Hurley and Bain, allowing Klingbeil (seven clearances for the game) first access to the ball. Carlton led by 19 points heading into the final term as the ground started to dry up.
Quarter four
North came out firing in the final term, continuously pushing the ball forward. Trudgeon’s intercept marking thwarted a few shots on goal, whilst Ally Bild’s leadership helped navigate their way out of dangerous territory. From there, it was firmly the Blues’ game, with North getting scrappy and desperate around the ball. Cowan kicked her second goal before there was a lull in the play, before two goals in two minutes from Brooke Vickers was the ideal finish for Carlton, leading to a 35-point victory.
Match summary
NORTH MELBOURNE 1.1 1.1 2.2 2.4 (16)
CARLTON 1.2 2.6 4.9 7.9 (51)
GOALS
Carlton: Cowan 2, Vickers 2, Wood 2, Tait.
Photo Credit: Rob Lawson Photography
