CARLTON has recorded a stunning win on the road, defeating Fremantle by four points.

After a challenging month against some of the standout sides in the competition, the Blues went the distance with the top-four hopefuls, with a late Keeley Sherar goal sealing a 5.4 (34) to 4.6 (30) win.

The Blues started off the afternoon on a mission, raising the pressure from the get-go. While Fremantle was prepared for Carlton’s forward entries, Carlton was equally prepared for Fremantle’s.

Despite Fremantle getting the first two goals of the day on the board kicking with the breeze, Lila Keck was awarded a free kick and 50-metre penalty, allowing her to kick her maiden AFLW goal from the goal square and celebrating with her trademark flare.

Keeley Skepper was also quick to get herself involved, kicking not one but two goals to end the first term up by five points after having their backs to the wall early. In the last 10 minutes alone, Carlton’s pressure saw them +14 for contested possessions and +5 for inside 50s.

Lily Goss showed off her grunt, not allowing to give her opponent easy possessions, while Tarni Brown was quick on her feet, spinning around defenders with speed.

The Dockers started the second term in attack, but were unable to convert. Darcy Vescio, who floated back from the forward line, on two occasions weaved around opponents to clear it from the defensive-50.

First-year Blues Keck and Meg Robertson linked up well in the midfield for a classy switch, opening up the field for another forward entry for Carlton. The Dockers were quick with their transition, however the Navy Blue midfield and backline were well prepared.

Carlton played its customary contest-and-pressure style of play, laying 25 tackles in the second quarter alone, with 23 of them being in their forward half. While the Blues were able to keep the Dockers scoreless, they were only able to score a single point for their own efforts kicking with the aid of the breeze.

The third quarter was all Fremantle, putting on a dominant display in their forward line. Despite repeat entries, the home side was only able to score a major twice out of their six attempts, with the Carlton defence unwilling to give up.

Goss went down mid-way through the third quarter with an ankle injury, and was ruled out for the remainder of the game.

After their six-point lead turned into a 10-point deficit, the Blues knew they would have their work cut out for them in the final term, with repeat contests being the name of the game in the final term. 

If the Blues were looking for any inspiration, they didn’t have to look any further than the skipper, with the returning Kerryn Peterson putting her body on the line to will her team back into the game.

With over two goalless quarters, time looked to be running out for the Blues, but it was milestone Moody who roared her team back into life, kicking a snap in her 75th game to put the Blues within touching distance.

Carlton’s on-ball brigade was relentless, winning contested ball at will and surging the Blues forward. It was one of those midfielders who ultimately ensured the Blues would come away with a memorable four points, when Keeley Sherar intercepted inside 50 and snapped truly with less than a minute on the clock for a second interstate win for the season.

FREMANTLE     2.2     2.2     4.6     4.6 (30)
CARLTON           3.1     3.2     3.2     5.4 (34)

GOALS
Carlton: Skepper 2, Keck, Moody, Sherar

BEST
Carlton: Sherar, Peterson, Skepper, Guerin, Cordner, McKay