A Sarah D’Arcy-inspired Collingwood have beaten Carlton, breaking through for their first AFLW victory over their old enemy, winning by 15 points at Ikon Park.
Sunday’s 6.3 (39) to 3.6 (24) result ensured the Magpies, who lost their first three meetings with the Blues, continued their best start to a season with two wins from as many games.
Carlton’s woes were compounded by co-captains Katie Loynes (knee) and Kerryn Harrington (thigh) limping from the field in the second and third quarters respectively. The pair played out the game, but appeared hampered, while teammate Grace Egan was concussion-tested in the final term.
D’Arcy impressed up forward for the Magpies with 13 touches, three marks and kicking 1.2. She also set up goals in an influential performance.
Collingwood forwards Jordan Membrey (two goals and 11 disposals), Aishling Sheridan (one goal and 14) and Jordyn Allen provided D’Arcy with sound support, while Stacey Livingstone (15 disposals) kept star Carlton forward Tayla Harris quiet.
The Blues’ best performers were Egan, who had 18 touches and a game-high 10 tackles, Madison Prespakis (17 disposals), Chloe Dalton (13) and Jess Hosking (11 and five tackles).
Carlton’s effort couldn’t be questioned as they finished with more tackles (66-44) and clearances (23-18), but their inaccuracy in front of goal and lack of polish cost them.
Collingwood were more efficient than the Blues and capitalised on their dominance of disposals (246-188) and contested possessions (116-101).
The Magpies began the match stronger and were rewarded with three-consecutive goals, giving them a deserved 20-point lead early in the second quarter. The Blues found themselves out-positioned in defence, allowing Collingwood’s forwards to run rings around them.
After pinching a goal late in the first half, courtesy of Lauren Brazzale, Carlton enjoyed another bright patch late in the third quarter, but could manage only three behinds.
Sophie Casey made the Blues pay for their wastefulness with a goal for the Pies from close range, set up by D’Arcy, early in the final stanza and Membrey sealed the result when she converted a set shot for her second goal late in the final term.
