CARLTON have stamped its dominance on the competition with a come-from-behind win over Melbourne at Traeger Park.

Finishing with an 16-point victory, The Blues clawed back the match from the Demons to record their fourth straight victory in season 2020.

Q1 Breakdown:

It was a sparky start to the clash in the top end as the Blues lined up to face the favoured Demons. It was a fiercely held match early, with the ball held up in the centre with neither side allowing each other scoring opportunities. The Demons broke away soon after, claiming the lion share of inside 50s to notch the first goal of the afternoon. It was a quick reply from the Blues however, the major from Brooke Walker coming only minutes later. Melbourne finished the quarter with the upper hand however, a last minute goal putting them eight points up heading into the second term. 

Q2 Breakdown:

Carlton made its presence felt early in the second half. Holding the ball inside 50 early, Tayla Harris was able to take full advantage of a loose ground ball resulting in a handy goal from Georgia Gee. Melbourne looked determined to put some more distance in the game than its two-point lead, locking the ball inside its 50 for the next ten minutes. But tireless work from co-captain Kerryn Harrington and Nat Plane saw the Demons denied their reply until the 14-minute mark of the term. Despite trailing the Demons by 8 points heading into the main break, the influence of Maddy Prespakis couldn’t be ignored: she finished the term with 11 disposals.

Q3 Breakdown:

As the sun began to set on Traeger Park, the Blues were determined not to let the dominant Demons extend their lead. The opening five minutes of the term saw the inside 50 count even right up, Carlton trailing Melbourne 13 to 16 at the six-minute mark of the term. But despite their entries, the Blues continued to battle a rampant Demons defence. Reward for effort came at the ten-minute mark of the quarter, with a handy grab from Prespakis and the hand off to Harris resulting in the Blues’ third major for the day. From there the forward pressure only continued, with numbers inside 50 landing Grace Egan her first goal of the day and the Blues the lead. 

Q4 Breakdown:

The Blues stormed into the final quarter at Traeger Park, unwilling to given the Demons a look early. Wasting no time extending Carlton’s lead, Prespakis topped off an already astounding performance with a handy major. From there it was an arm-wrestle through the centre, with neither team able to convert until the 12-minute mark. From there, Brooke Walker bobbed up again with her second of the day to end the Demons hopes of a win up north.

Moment of the match: 

Georgia Gee kicked the goal, but the synergy amongst the Blues’ new look forward group set up the second quarter major. The penetrating kick from forward line newcomer Nicola Stevens setup what was an essential ground ball from Tayla Harris. From there it was all Gee, the third-year Blue staking her claim in season 2020.

Three things from the game:

1. Carlton is a more mature side in 2020. For the second time in AFLW 4.0, the Blues have remained composed to fight back the win. Melbourne got the jump early, but it was the collective team effort that earned Carlton its lead after half time.
2. We’ve said it once, and we’ll say it again: Maddy Prespakis is a genuine star. After six rounds of football, the second year blue and 2019 Rising Star still looks like she has plenty more to show. Prespakis finished her day out in the top end with 23 disposals and a goal for her efforts through the centre.
3. The Navy Blues are setting the tone in conference B. Dropping only one game so far in 2020 and with two rounds to go until finals, Carlton is making its case to a step further in 2020.

Match summary:

MELBOURNE      2.3      3.3      3.5      3.6 (24)
CARLTON     1.1      2.1      4.1      6.4 (40)

GOALS: Walker(2), Gee, Harris, Egan, Prespakis

BESTS: Prespakis, Plane, McEvoy, Dalton, Pound