CARLTON'S 2024 season has come to an end, going down by 36 points to Essendon on Saturday night.

With late injuries to Mimi Hill and Abbie McKay, Amelia Velardo and Lila Keck received late call-ups to face the Bombers at IKON Park.

The game started out highly competitive, with the two old foes going toe-to-toe to open the quarter.

Both teams kept their defensive pressure high, with Carlton defenders not allowing Essendon to capitalise on their chances.

Gen Lawson-Tavan had the early job on Essendon captain Bonnie Toogood, who successfully spoiled all of Toogood’s forward 50-mark attempts before the Bomber left the field due to injury.

Harriet Cordner was also strong in the backline, linking up with Meg Robertson to get the ball out of danger.

Maddy Guerin was a looming presence for the Blues, notching three clearances and five contested possessions in the first ten minutes alone.

After a back-and-forth battle, it was Carlton who got on the board first, with Mia Austin snapping a classy goal.

The Bombers weren’t far behind to get their own, with the first quarter ending with the Blues up by two points.

Essendon started the second quarter much more effectively, capitalising on their forward 50 entries with two quick goals.

Jade Halfpenny had her moments in her second game in the Navy Blue, adding defensive pressure to the Carlton forward 50.

Darcy Vescio was able to get the Blues back within single digits at the end of the quarter, kicking a goal after being rewarded with a holding free kick.

Essendon came out in the second half firing, quickly adding another two goals to their tally in the opening 10 minutes.

Lawson-Tavan continued her efforts in the backline, while Jess Good was able to quell an Essendon goal with a mark on the goal line.

Halfpenny kicked off the final term with a drop punt from an impossible angle, slotting it through for her first goal in the Navy Blue and her second-ever career goal.

In just the first five minutes of the fourth quarter, Lily Goss recorded four contested possessions and a clearance.

The Blues refused to finish their season without a fight, bringing a pressure rating of 243 compared to the Bomber’s 191 in the final quarter.

In the absence of Hill and McKay, Keeley Sherar finished the game with a game-high 27 disposals along with nine tackles.

Maddy Guerin also made a strong impact, accumulating 22 disposals, eight tackles and a team-high 479 metres gained.