CARLTON has fallen by 17 points to their old enemy in Collingwood, who hit the scoreboard early in the latest chapter of football’s fierce rivalry and kept the game on their terms for the remainder of the afternoon.

The Blues did everything they could to break into their attacking half, but it was the Pies’ lockdown defence that prevailed, allowing the Blues to enter inside 50 only once.

With the Blues unable to capitalise on their inside entry, they remained scoreless in the first quarter for the first time since Round 2.

In the opening stages of the second quarter, the signs of previous weeks were showing as the Blues trying to gain ground in the contest but were missing the connection in the midfield that has been evident in the Blues’ wins this season.

As the rain made its first appearance midway through the quarter, it nullified any attempts Carlton had through the centre of the ground as the game halted in and around the contest for the rest of the half.

Mia Austin shone in the third quarter, making the most of what came her way in the forward 50, taking a speculator contested mark that set up the Blues’ only goal for the day.

Austin continued her impressive work in the pack, taking a second contested mark in as many minutes in the Blues’ defensive 50 to cut off a Collingwood attacking play.

From the start of the fourth quarter, Carlton were on the front foot, trying to fight their way back into the game.

With 14 inside 50s for the quarter, the Blues were looking to capitalise on their penetration forward but were unable to close the margin, eventually falling to the Pies by 17 points.

Blues Captain Kerryn Peterson and Harriet Cordner were valiant off of halfback in their attempts to rebound the ball away from the Pies forwards.

Peterson collected 20 disposals, 10 intercept possessions and eight contested possessions, whilst Cordner had 14 disposals and worked hard off the ball to try and close down the Collingwood attack.

Carlton will look to bounce back next week as they fly to Sydney to take on Greater Western Sydney on Saturday afternoon.

Match summary

CARLTON                    0.0     0.1     1.2     1.4 (10)
COLLINGWOOD         3.2     3.3     4.3     4.3 (27) 

GOALS
Carlton: Austin

BEST 
Carlton: Peterson, Moody, Sherar, Cordner