CARLTON fell agonisingly short in its Round 4 VFLW clash with Geelong, going down by seven points at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday.
In a tightly contested match, which saw both teams go goal for goal for the majority of the game, the Blues narrowly fell short as the final siren blew – 8.3. (51) to 7.2 (44)
With the sun setting across the stadium, Breann Moody’s dribbly 30m snap opened the Blues' account in the first term, while Tyla Hanks’ forward pressure on debut resulted in her first goal five minutes later. However, it didn’t take the Cats long to hit back, with the scores all tied up at quarter-time.
Much of the same eventuated in the second term, with both teams winning their fair share of the contested ball and running the footy from end to end. Darcy Vescio’s brilliance around goal was a highlight for Blues fans, beginning her four-goal haul with a brilliant crumb and 30m snap in the second quarter.
Taking the field for the first time together in the VFLW season, the Hosking twins were dominant in the middle and showed their class, gathering clearances and breaking the lines through the centre.
Carlton managed three goals in the third quarter to lead by one goal at the final break, however the Cats’ pressure saw them overrun the Blues with only a few minutes left on the clock.
Michelle Fedele starred for Geelong, booting three goals to help her team get across the line.
In her first time leading the Blues, newly appointed captain Kristi Harvey said although Carlton fell short, there were plenty of positives to come out of the game.
“Obviously it would have been nice if the result went our way, but the girls fought really hard on a really big oval. It took a lot out of us, but I’m really happy with the girls’ effort to keep fighting throughout the whole game,” Harvey said.
“We did control the game in parts but we just couldn’t quite take advantage of that on the scoreboard. During the week, we worked on a few things at training which we were able to translate on the field, so that’s also a massive positive for us.”
Harvey praised young gun Hanks, who performed well in her debut game for the navy blues, as well as deputy vice-captain Chloe Dalton, who kicked her first goal playing Aussie Rules.
“She’s (Tyla) an absolute gun, just knows where to be to get the footy and she has really good hands as well and a great leg.
“It has been a long time coming for Chloe, she’s been close to kicking a goal the last few weeks, it was great and the reaction on her face showed how much it meant to her as well."
Chloe Dalton booted her first VFLW goal in the loss to Geelong. (Photo: Carlton Media)
Next week, Carlton faces the Darebin Falcons on Saturday morning at Ikon Park, with Harvey keen to see the team play its own style.
“We’ve just got to keep playing our style. I think sometimes when we feel the pressure we have the tendency to fall away from the basics, so we need to dig back in and get back to it.”
GEELONG VFLW 2.1 2.2 5.2 8.3 (51)
CARLTON VFLW 2.1 3.3 6.2 7.2 (44)
Goals: Vescio 4, Dalton, Hanks, B. Moody
Injuries: Lauren Arnell (right hand), Lauren Brazzale (left shoulder), Celine Moody (right hand).
