AFLW ONCE again lit up IKON Park, as the Blues played in a five-term match simulation against the Demons on Friday night.
 
The Blues hit the ground running in the first term, with quick transitions from the midfield into the forward line, resulting in a quick opening goal from Mia Austin.

Co-vice captain Mimi Hill was everywhere, intercepting marks and accumulating the clearances while Keeley Skepper kicked an impressive goal from 40 metres out, bouncing over the heads of two Melbourne defenders.
 
The second term saw glimpses of what’s to come from Celine Moody, with a strong contested overhead mark taken in the forward 50.

The highlight of the second term came with a clever goal on the run from injury replacement player Jade Halfpenny, with her teammates running from everywhere to get around her.


 
Melbourne had multiple entrances into their forward 50 in the first two terms, however, rampant pressure from young defender Lulu Beatty along with the defender duo of Harriet Cordner and Gen Lawson-Tavan stopped the Demons from being able to capitalise, resulting in the away side being held goalless for the first two periods.
 
The third and fourth terms told different stories however, with Melbourne coming out of the blocks strong and composed.

Breann Moody was solid floating through the ruck and backline, and Keeley Sherar showed exciting moments getting back to help the defenders.

Yasmin Duursma also showed promising signs in her first outing in the Navy Blue, halting a quick transition from the Demons with a strong intercept mark in the opposition's forward 50.
 
The Blues were able to bounce back with quick transitions of their own, with fast movements down the corridor resulting in goals from Austin and Celine Moody.
 
The shortened fifth term showed a lot of end-to-end action, with both teams struggling to convert.

Tall defenders Cordner and Lawson-Tavan were huge for Carlton in the final stanza, who managed to hold on finishing the game one point ahead. 

CARLTON               2.2     4.3      6.3    6.4    6.5 (41) 
MELBOURNE          0.1     0.1      3.3    5.8    5.10 (40)

GOALS
Carlton: Austin 3, Halfpenny, C.Moody, Skepper