IN its first VFLW game of their 2019 season, Carlton went down to the Casey Demons by 31 points yesterday.
It was a high-pressure contest at Casey Fields, with the new Bluebaggers working hard to try and secure the win after the opening round bye.
Chloe Leighton booted her first goal in the Navy Blue while Courteney Bromage kept Carlton — who had just five AFLW-listed players featuring — in the contest with a major in the last term.
Inaccuracy let Carlton down throughout the day, but the Blues’ tackling pressure and intensity around the ground was impressive.
Breakdown:
Q1:
The Blues dominated the inside 50s and got a goal on the board through Chloe Leighton. The tackling pressure was intense from the outset, which was highlighted by a brilliant rundown chase by Lauren Munday. Katie Stone impressed in the ruck and was complemented well by Jorja Borg.
Q2:
Casey began to get on top in the second quarter, kicking two goals while the Blues could only muster one behind. Jess Hosking was one of Carlton’s most impressive players, hunting the ball well when pushed into the midfield while providing some drive from the defensive half.
Q3:
The Blues’ intensity lifted in the third quarter, with their tackling pressure the highlight.
Abbie McKay was slick in the midfield, creating opportunities by hand and foot. For her first game in the back line, Emerson Woods did well to control the defensive 50 with some precise kicks out of the back half, while the Wright sisters led the way in tackling intensity.
Q4:
Shannon McFerran got creative in the fourth quarter by sending young defender Charlotte Wilson forward. A presence of big bodies resulted in a Courteney Bromage goal, keeping Carlton narrowly in the contest. Sina Mason worked hard at the contest with strong tackling, running out the whole term.
Shan’s Player of the Day: Sina Mason
“Sina was really good and in amongst it all day: her effort and her relentless tackling pressure was fantastic. Sina showed her ability and fitness to really push through that fourth quarter in our first hitout and her first VFLW game as well, which was great.”
Match summary:
CARLTON 1.3 1.4 1.6 2.7 (19)
CASEY 1.1 3.5 6.6 7.8 (50)
GOALS: Leighton, Bromage
BEST: Mason, Plane, Clifford, J Hosking, Faulks, S Wright
