Blues want to keep AFLW opener after impressive win
Anna Harrington |
Coach Matthew Buck wants Carlton to keep being part of the AFLW season opener after the Blues kicked off the 10th campaign with a stylish 24-point win over Collingwood.
The two teams from the AFLW’s first ever game in 2017 once again opened the season as part of a celebration of that famous night at Princes Park, when Carlton won in front of a lockout crowd.
Players from the inaugural match were among those in the crowd on Thursday night as Mimi Hill’s midfield masterclass led the Blues to a 6.9 (45) to 3.3 (21) victory in front of 8042 fans.
The Blues and Magpies also opened the fixture in 2018, 2021 and the second season of 2022.
“First of all, to have the opening game here at Ikon Park, it was fantastic,” Buck said.
“I think we want this game moving forward. I think we had a great crowd in here.
“We played a great brand of footy – crowd was up and about, that’s for sure, so that was a really exciting part.
“And then the kicker of it being 10 seasons on and to still have some players that played in that game, Darcy Vescio and Breann Harrington … (still) playing so well, the story’s great.”
Collingwood kicked the first two goals, but Carlton snagged the next four on the spin to turn the contest in their favour.
The outstanding Hill racked up 32 disposals, 17 contested possessions, 424 metres gained and six clearances.
“She started the game really strongly and had a great, big first half. Executed well, and got our team going,” Buck said.
The 22-year-old was well supported by skipper Abbie McKay and Irish goalsneak Erone Fitzpatrick (two goals), while debutant Poppy Scholz impressed.
Abbie and younger sister Sophie McKay, who debuted on Thursday, famously rang Carlton’s bell with their father, Blues AFL great Andrew McKay, to kick off that night in 2017.
New Collingwood skipper Ruby Schleicher led from the front, laying five crunching tackles in the first quarter alone, while Brittany Bonnici (21 disposals, seven clearances, 14 tackles) and Carly Remmos (16 disposals) were busy.
Last year’s wooden spooners, Collingwood are already without Bri Davey, Sarah Rowe, Jordyn Allen and Mattea Breed through injury.
Collingwood’s Irish debutant Kellyann Hogan suffered a shoulder injury and will have scans.
No.1 draft pick Ash Centra, who was on managed minutes after a hip injury, announced herself with her first disposal just before halftime, clunking a contested mark before kicking a goal with her first kick.
“I was really happy for her that she kicked that goal, she’s going to be a serious player,” coach Sam Wright said.
But it wasn’t enough to spark a comeback.
Instead, Carlton jagged two more goals in the third quarter, and kept Collingwood goalless for the entire second half to wrap up victory.
“We just showed patches today,” Wright said.
“That’s the really disappointing thing, not just for me but for the girls.”
Collingwood return to action against GWS at Victoria Park next Saturday, and Carlton face Hawthorn in Frankston that night.
AAP
