Carlton fell to its second consecutive loss of the NAB AFL Women’s League on Saturday, going down to Melbourne by six points at Casey Fields.

A packed crowd of 3,965 filled the stands to see the Blues just fall short after overcoming a 19-point three-quarter-time deficit to draw scores level.

Darcy Vescio (five disposals, one goal) was well held by the Melbourne defence and the absence of key defender Bri Davey was telling.

The Demons had come to play, winning in disposals (245-154), handballs (102-46), contested possessions (112-89) and tackles (58-43).

Melbourne’s spread of ball-getters was much stronger than that of the Blues, with seven Demons collecting more disposals than Carlton's top ball-winner Sarah Hosking.

Sarah Hosking was one of the Blues' shining lights in the loss to Melbourne. (Photo: AFL Media)

Hosking (12 disposals, seven handballs, three tackles) was arguably the Blues' most influential player, while fellow midfielders Nat Exon (10 disposals, five handballs, four tackles) and Madeline Keryk (10 disposals, five tackles) worked hard in the contests.

The tenacity of Shae Audley (nine disposals, five tackles) helped the Blues get back into the game late in the second half, while two goals from key forward Isabella Ayre from just five disposals and two marks was a real shining light for Carlton.
 

Kicking efficiency will again be an area of focus and improvement for the Blues, who produced their worst for the season at 42 per cent, but one of the positives was that they were able to better the Demons for inside 50s (28-22).

Now sitting in fourth on the AFLW ladder following close losses in successive weeks, the Blues will be looking to rebound against the fifth-placed Western Bulldogs at Ikon Park on Saturday in another double-header with the JLT Community Series.