IN PERFECT conditions for football, it was the future stars of the Blues who stood tall and helped guide them team to their second win of the 2023 season.

After a hard-fought, contest-heavy first quarter - seeing Keeley Skepper kick the Blues’  only goal with a classy snap around the body - kicking off what would end up being a healthy account of goals for the Blues.

Starting off the second term with a narrow two-point lead, the Blues came out of the gates with goals on their mind, as Erone Fitzpatrick repeated her goal-kicking ways of round 2, finishing off a strong lead-mark with a level-headed set-shot goal.

Darcy Vescio decided it was time to join the scoreboard dominance, comfortably slotting through their first goal of the day and setting up the quarter nicely.

Mia Austin stood tall within the forward 50 all game, paying off with a strong contested mark and conversion in the second quarter, making it three goals in the opening five minutes and putting the Eagles on the back foot.

Jess Dal Pos showed her true leadership with six contested possessions, one of which was a courageous play at the ball resulting in a free-kick in front of goal, giving the Blues’ fourth goal for the quarter and a very handy lead at the main break.

The defensive pressure in the second quarter was strong enough to keep West Coast scoreless, thanks to strong efforts across the top of the arc from Harriet Cordner and Gab Pound, shutting down any attempts the Eagles made to get inside their attacking zone.

After the break, it was all Carlton once again, with a triple-shot of goals from Skipper, Vescio and a career-first major for Lily Goss, being met with great excitement from her teammates and the raucous West Australian-based Carlton fans.

For the first three quarters, the dominant Carlton performance was led by the dynamic ruck duo of Jess Good and Brea Moody, creating play after play around the ground and particularly from the centre.

Amassing 55 hit-outs together (Good with 31 and Moody with 24), the strength and poise in the stoppages helped set up numerous fast-breaks and attacking plays into the forward 50.

Away from the ruck contest, Moody stood tall inside the arc, stepping up in the final quarter with two goals of her own, adding to her clinical performance in the centre and furthering the Blues’ lead.

With West Coast giving everything they could in the closing stages of the final quarter, it was all Carlton in the end, closing out 53-point victors.

In a strong team performance, there were a few individual shining lights, with the young forward in Skepper staking her claim as a future star of the game, giving her all in every time she was near the ball.

Collecting 23 disposals, kicking three team-motivating goals and having seven score involvements, Skepper was influential all around the ground.

Senior Coach Mathew Buck’s focus on the contest was apparent with with Blues showing confidence and skill when the ball went to ground - winning the contested ball 124 to 98 and in the air - with the Blues holding onto nine contested marks.

On the defensive side of the contest, Carlton was strong and aggressive, laying 66 tackles, 12 of them inside 50 and playing an important part in shutting down any attack West Coast had.

With confidence high, the Blues fly home from Perth with smiles on their faces and the four points in their pocket.