THE BLUES have left Victoria Park victorious for the first time since 1986, beating their arch-rivals in the Magpies by four points in dramatic fashion.

The first quarter couldn’t have started any better, as Amelia Velardo kicked with the wind to boot her first goal in Navy Blue from 45 metres out.

While the Pies turned it on quickly in retaliation, their multiple efforts only resulted in one reply courtesy of a 50m penalty given to Jordyn Allen.

Abbie McKay kept the pressure up, recording five tackles in the first half of the quarter. Defender Harriet Cordner was strong in the Carlton back half, not allowing Collingwood easy entries.

The Moody twins complimented each other well in the forward line, with Brea winning the hitout and Celine immediately laying the tackle on her opponent.

Brea was able to cap off the quarter with a huge mark and goal, giving Carlton a five-point lead at the first break.

The Blues picked up where they left off at the start of the second quarter, with Mia Austin getting herself on the scoreboard in the opening minutes after wrapping her opponent up in a tackle.

The Pies brought the heat in the second quarter, but the Blues maintained their contest and pressure trademark, not allowing them to score a goal in the second term. Carlton led the tackles 39 to 29 and smothers nine to one.

Collingwood entered the second half with aggression, keeping the ball in their forward half for the majority of the quarter.

Keeley Sherar was able to capitalise on the eventual Blues' forward entry, finding the goals on the run like she had in the previous two matches.

First-year Meg Robertson took a hanger in defence, while Gen Lawson-Tavan and Cordner stood up in the backline during Collingwood’s repeat entries, only conceding a single goal in the third term.

The Pies entered the final term hot, piling on two quick goals to take the lead for the first time in the game.

50-gamer Celine Moody ramped up the pressure in the forward line, laying multiple tackles to lock it in the Blues forward arc.

In a moment of brilliance, Celine perfectly tapped the ball to allow Dayna Finn to kick her first AFLW goal to bring the Blues the lead and the crowd to their feet, as the team swarmed the Irishwoman. 

Carlton will now prepare to play their last match of the season on Saturday night against the Bombers, welcoming fans to IKON Park for the final time in 2024.

Match summary

Collingwood 1.1 1.3 2.4 4.4 (28)
Carlton 2.0 3.0 4.1 5.2 (32)

Goals
Velardo, B. Moody, Austin, Sherar, Finn

Best
Sherar, McKay, Hill, Finn, Austin