SHOWING grit and determination from start to end, Carlton has come up short in the annual AFLW Carlton Respects Game, with Richmond holding strong in the final quarter.

After a fast-starting Tigers outfit hit the lead early, the Blues fought the way back from the centre-circle, led by a classy Jess Good ruck performance, supported by another strong performance from Mimi Hill.

Abbie McKay continued her electric start to start the season and finished a Carlton push into their attacking 50 with a classy snap around the body to kick the Blues’ first goal for the game.

A late Phoebe McWilliams goal and plenty of physicality and pressure lit a fire under the Blues heading into the first break.

In true Carlton fashion, the second-quarter comeback was built on slick ball movement through the centre and strong defensive rebounding, with returning Captain Kerryn Peterson leading from the front with 17 disposals, eight contested possessions and seven intercept possessions.

The defensive line followed their leader, shutting down the Tigers and keeping them scoreless for the quarter, helping guide the Blues into the half-time break by two points.

Both teams came out firing at the start of the third quarter, with a lot of physical pressure and heavy tackles being laid, halting the scoring for most of the quarter, seeing Brea Moody’s conversion off a strong pack mark the only goal for the term.

With a strong test this week, Moody and Good teamed up for another impressive effort sharing ruck duties and showing strength around the ground and inside fifty.

Moody balanced her time between ruck and forward effectively with 17 hitouts and two goals, whilst Good impressed in the middle with 27 hitouts and 18 disposals.

A high-pressure final quarter saw a lot of attack from the Tigers, with the Blues defence under constant attack, mustering up all they could to warden off the late-finishing Richmond side.

But the Tigers proved too strong in the end, kicking three goals to one in the final quarter, defeating a lion-hearted Carlton by seven points in a bruising encounter.

Keeley Sherar shone once again, making good use of her fellow midfielders' efforts, amassing 27 disposals, nine contested possessions and laying five tackles.

Although the Blues couldn’t hold on and the positives are being applauded, it's now all eyes on Friday afternoon, the Carlton take on the Sydney Swans back at IKON Park.

Match summary

CARLTON         2.2     4.3     5.3     6.4     (40)
RICHMOND     4.1     4.1     4.5     7.5     (47)

GOALS
Carlton: Moody 2, Austin 2, McKay, McWilliams

BEST
Carlton: Sherar, Peterson, McKay, Moody, Hill, Skepper

INJURIES
Carlton: Nil