Blues cruise continues in AFLW rout of Gold Coast Suns
Shayne Hope |
High-profile recruit Tara Bohanna kicked two goals against her former team as Carlton continued their strong start to the AFLW season with a 46-point thumping of Gold Coast.
Ex-Suns skipper Bohanna was among the Blues forwards who cashed in on their engine room’s dominance in a 10.11 (71) to 4.1 (25) victory at Ikon Park on Saturday.
Dayna Finn (26 disposals, one goal) continued her hot form while Lily Goss (26 touches), Mimi Hill (24) and Erone Fitzpatrick (23) all fired for Carlton.
Sophie McKay finished with three goals and Lila Keck matched Bohanna’s contribution with two as the Blues kicked their highest score of the season so far.
Carlton led by just one point at halftime but piled on seven unanswered goals in the second half to post the third-highest winning margin in club history.
The result extended the Blues’ winning streak to three matches in a 4-1 start to the season, as they chase a first finals appearance in five years.
“We’re really enjoying the football that we’re playing at the moment and growing week upon week, which is great to see,” Irish star Finn told Fox Footy.
“We’ve worked hard to get to where we are today and hopefully just keep building on.
“It’s nice to look at the ladder and see where we are, I guess, but we still have to chip away.
“There’s a lot more rounds to go. We’ll chase that consistency and stick together and work hard.”
Harriet Cordner (12 intercepts) was a rock in defence for Carlton and McKay threatened to break the game open early, kicking two first-half goals as her side held a narrow 3.7 to 4.0 lead at the main break.
The Blues’ control of the second quarter didn’t translate on the scoreboard because a series of goal-scoring chances went begging.
The home side won the inside-50 count 27-15 in the first half but the Suns’ efficiency in attack kept them in it, with Havana Harris kicking two majors.
But Carlton’s dominance eventually told in the third quarter as they piled on 4.4 to 0.0 for the term.
Hill lifted after the main break and kicked a goal on the three-quarter time siren to help her side turn for home 29 points in front.
The procession continued in the final term as the Blues held Gold Coast scoreless for the second half until conceding a rushed behind in the dying stages.
The Suns slipped to 1-4 in a poor start under new coach Rhyce Shaw despite the efforts of Niamh McLaughlin (31 disposals), Charlie Rowbottom (29) and Claudia Whitfort (28).
AAP
