Carlton 2.2 14 2.4 16 4.4 28 5.4 34 Gold Coast Suns 0.3 3 1,3 9 1.5 11 4.8 32
Venue:	Ikon Park, Carlton.
Date:	Saturday 2 September, 2023 (1.05 pm).
Result:	Won by 2 points.
Crowd:	3,244
Goalkickers:	D. Vescio 3.1, M. Anthony 1.0, A. McKay 1.0, K. Skepper 0.1, E. Fitzpatrick 0.1, M. Austin 0.1.
Reports:	Nil
Umpires:	Nicholas Brown, Leigh Fisher, Lucinda Lopes.
Injuries:	Nil
Ladder:	9th

Game Review

Blues hold strong in perfect start

A Darcy Vescio masterclass guides the Blues to an opening-round victory. - By Owen Jones, Carlton Media.

Carlton have kicked off the 2023 season the best way possible, fighting off a late-charging Gold Coast outfit in front of a sea of Navy Blue on a perfect day for football at IKON Park. After a slow start in the first quarter - with the Gold Coast looking threatening - it was a vintage Darcy Vescio highlight mark and classy finish in the goal square that steadied the ship as the Blues took control of the quarter. New Blue (but seasoned AFLW player) Harriet Cordner led from the back, forcing errant kicking from the Suns and setting up a strong rebounding performance to keep Gold Coast goalless going into quarter time. The second quarter kicked off in style, with first-gamer Marianna Anthony slotting through her first career goal, met with a wave of excitement from teammates and the Carlton faithful. The major topped off a fierce debut performance for Anthony, with the midfielder laying 11 tackles and impacting with four inside 50s.

The first gamers were impressive all over the ground, with Irish recruit Erone Fitzpatrick showing her love for the contest, throwing her body around every chance she got, being rewarded with five contested possessions and three tackles. A strong showing around the stoppage helped the Blues lead at by seven points at the main break. The focus on a high-pressure game in the pre-season was in full effect as the Blues came out and capitalised on turnovers and quick ball movement to stretch the lead thanks to another classy Vescio goal. The strong performance from the star forward kept the wheels turning as Abbie McKay showed her love for a highlight, bursting through a pack to slot through the goal of the day. The ferocious pace continued early in the final quarter as a courageous Keeley Sherar smother spilled to Keeley Skepper, who set up a third Vescio goal and the Blues looked certain to run home certain victors. The Gold Coast weren’t done just yet, kicking the last three goals of the game to send some concern through the Blues camp, but the Blues went back to the game plan and shut done the defensive 50 late in the final quarter to secure the victory with a thrilling two-point win.

Best: D. Vescio, M. Anthony, K. Sherar, J. Dal Pos, A. McKay.

Surging Suns fall just short as Blues begin Buck era in style

Darcy Vescio kicked three goals as Carlton started a new era under coach Mathew Buck with a two-point win over Gold Coast. - By AAP.

Carlton has survived a huge late scare to open its first season under new coach Mathew Buck with a tense two-point win over Gold Coast at Ikon Park on Saturday afternoon. The Blues, fired by three goals from experienced forward Darcy Vescio, led by 23 points early in the last quarter, but coughed up the final six scores of the game before hanging on for a 5.4 (34) to 4.8 (32) victory. The Suns managed 3.3 in that period, falling narrowly short of pulling off a late comeback. Jessica Dal Pos (19 disposals), Amelia Velardo (17), Abbie McKay (16) and Keeley Sherar (16, 12 tackles) were all among the Blues' best contributors. Gold Coast was well served by young star Charlie Rowbottom, who finished with game-high tallies of 25 disposals, 12 tackles and nine clearances. She also kicked the Suns' only goal of the first half. Claudia Whitfort (23 disposals) and Alison Drennan (18) were also busy for the visitors. Carlton parted ways with long-time coach Daniel Harford in January following a review of the club's women's football program. Buck was appointed on a full-time basis in April and has reaped early benefits from his pre-season work.

The Blues kicked the first two goals in perfect conditions, with Vescio booting the opener after a strong contested mark. They led by 13 points before Rowbottom got the visitors on the board, converting a free kick in the shadows of half-time. Two goals in as many minutes during the third quarter gave the Blues breathing space in a tight tussle. Vescio slotted their second from a tight angle before McKay nailed her shot on the run to extend the margin to a game-high 18 points. Vescio's third major - kicked out of mid-air on the goal line - looked to have sealed the result. But quick Suns goals to Jordan Membrey, Tara Bohanna and Jamie Stanton cut the deficit to just two points with plenty of time left for Gold Coast to pinch the game. The Blues' defence held firm in the desperate final minutes as both sides threw everything at the contest.

Team

B:	2 Jess Dal Pos	1 Amelia Velardo
HB:	49 Madeline Hendrie	19 Erone Fitzpatrick	8 Vaomua Laloifi
C:	20 Lily Goss	5 Abbie McKay	25 Keeley Sherar
HF:	10 Mimi Hill	15 Jess Good	27 Genevieve Lawson-Tavan
F:	22 Mia Austin	4 Keeley Skepper
Ruck:	16 Breann Moody	23 Daisy Walker	24 Brooke Vickers
Interchange:	3 Darcy Vescio	14 Marianna Anthony	11 Annie Lee
	34 Taylor Ortlepp	21 Harriet Cordner
Coach:	Mathew Buck
Emg:	17 Dayna Finn	28 Imogen Milford	36 Ciara Fitzgerald

Milestones

Debut: Erone Fitzpatrick, Madeline Hendrie
Debut and First Goal: Marianna Anthony
Debut (Carlton): Harriet Cordner, Genevieve Lawson-Tavan
Debut (Coach): Mathew Buck

AFLW Team of the Week

Defenders: Harriet Cordner
Forwards: Darcy Vescio

AFLW Coaches Votes

9 - Darcy Vescio (CARL)
7 - Charlie Rowbottom (GCFC)
5 - Marianna Anthony (CARL)
3 - Jess Dal Pos (CARL)
2 - Abbie McKay (CARL)
2 - Claudia Whitfort (GCFC)
1 - Jess Good (CARL)
1 - Harriet Cordner (CARL)

AFLW Best and Fairest Votes

3 - Jacqueline Dupuy (GCFC)
2 - Darcy Vescio (CARL)
1 - Vaomua Laloifi (CARL)

Club Best and Fairest Votes

Match Highlights

Links

AFLW Season 2023 | AFLW Pre-Season | Round 2