The Blues take home the four points against the Tigers in a very close contest at Ikon Park. 

In their annual Carlton Respects game, Carlton made up for a slow start by creating a tough and entertaining contest on Saturday afternoon. 

Quarter 1:

Carlton was strong from the first bounce, providing a physical contest straight off the bat. Maddy Prespakis was clean early, moving the ball down the line from the centre. Richmond slotted the first goal of the game, while Carlton struggled to make use of its opportunities inside 50. Jess Hosking and Mua Laloifi were effectively clean in the back half, while Charlotte Wilson provided solid defensive pressure. The Blues didn’t take their opportunities around the stoppage and struggled to keep the Tigers out of their forward line. 

Quarter 2:

Breann Moody provided strong ruck work, giving the Blues a chance out of the middle. Richmond's accuracy in front of goal hurt the Carlton defence, while Wilson was kept very busy by Katie Brennan. Abbie McKay provided solid clearances and speed through the centre, while the Blues first goal of the match came from Prespakis directly in front. Moody's tackle work was effective while Tayla Harris' marking down the line helped the Blues move the ball along. A clever snap from Lucy McEvoy saw the Blues regain some confidence while Prespakis' second goal evened up the scoreboard. A miraculous goal from Tayla Harris put the Blues in front for the first time of the day, while Grace Egan was a forced to be reckoned with through the middle. 

Quarter 3:

Darcy Vescio kicked off the quarter with a goal directly in front, while Richmond were able to answer shortly after an extended stint in their forward line. Egan continued to bring the heat through the centre, while it was the Vescio show in the forward line, with her clean hands and straight kicking keeping the Blues in front. 

Quarter 4:

The Tigers came out firing, kicking two quick goals to start off the quarter. The ball lived predominantly in Richmond's half, as Carlton struggled to get the ball past the centre square. Prespakis and Egan fought tirelessly in the contest, as the defenders were put to work. Georgia Gee gave a classy performance, including a sprint down the wing that set up a vital goal for Nic Stevens and the Blues. O'Dea put her body on the line as the Blues tried to stop the Tigers surge forward, capitalising on their ineffective disposals. Richmond looked like they were going to spoil Carlton's party, playing the majority of the quarter in the forward 50. But desperate, physical play from the Blues saw them finish with a five-point victory. 

Moment of the match:

Darcy Vescio always has an impact in the forward line, but her three-goal haul today helped not only swing the momentum the Blues way, but ultimately helped them get over the line. 

Three things from the game:

1. Carlton's backline is rock solid. Between Wilson's strong marking and Laloifi's clean hands and chase, the Blues exit from defensive 50 is definitely one of their strengths. Add in skipper Kerryn Harrington for toughness and Hosking's possession work for the ultimate backline. 

2. Breann Moody's consistency can't be ignored. Not only does she dominate the hit outs game in and game out, but her tackling and off-ball work is exactly what the Blues need through the middle of the ground. 

3. Grace Egan is coming into her own as a midfielder this season. She's made an extraordinary impact on each game she's played, with today being no exception. Not only did she gather 21 disposals and lay three tackles, but her defensive pressure and work around the contests helped lead the Blues to their second victory of the season.

Match Summary

CARLTON         0.2     4.2     7.3     8.3 (51)
RICHMOND     3.0     4.1     5.1     7.4 (46)

GOALS

Carlton: Vescio 3, Prespakis 2, McEvoy, Harris, Stevens

BEST

Carlton: Prespakis, Vescio, Egan, McEvoy, Hosking, Harrington