CARLTON will run out onto Skybus Stadium to face the Southern Saints in its second VFLW hitout on Sunday from 11.50am.

The Blues will be aiming to bounce back from their Round 2 loss against Casey, where the side went down by 31 points. 

Some familiar faces will be back in action in Navy Blue, with Sarah Hosking, Breann Moody and Nicola Stevens returning to the fold.

Last time they met

With a final score of 5.7 (37) to 9.5 (59), the Blues defeated the Saints in what was its first game in the competition.

AFLW-listed midfielder Sarah Hosking was named best-on-ground by her coaches with a great performance, which included a goal.

Darcy Vescio was the leading goalkicker for the Blues with three majors to kickstart her award-winning 2018 season, which culminated in winning Carlton’s VFL Best and Fairest and the competition’s goal-kicking award.

Player to watch: Natalie Plane

After being announced as co-captain of the Blues for the 2019 season, Plane played a starring role in her first VFLW game of the year.

She was the leading disposal-getter on the ground with 22 disposals while also leading the way in tackles (nine).

Plane is coming off a consistent 2018 season where she finished fourth in Carlton’s VFLW Best and Fairest.

Opposition to watch: Alison Drennan 

Drennan has led the way in disposals for the Saints in her first two games for the side this year.

With AFLW experience under her belt, Drennan looks confident in the midfield and could be a key playmaker for the Southern Saints on Sunday.

She won the Saints’ Best and Fairest last season, alongside former AFLW Blue Rhiannon Watt.

Shannon’s say

“I think the Southern Saints will definitely be well-prepared. They’ve had plenty of time to work on game plan and structures.

“They’ve been able to kick a few goals and I think through the midfield, they’ll have plenty of run.”