Tayla Harris doubt for AFLW prelim final

Carlton must endure a nervous wait as star Tayla Harris faces possible suspension after they won through to a second-consecutive AFLW preliminary final.

Harris was reported for sling-tackling Brisbane’s Emily Bates during the third quarter of Sunday’s 29-point semi-final win at Princes Park.

The result set up a showdown with powerhouse North Melbourne for the right to play in the 2020 premiership decider, keeping alive the Blues’ hopes of going one better than their grand final loss last year.

However, gun Carlton midfielder Maddy Prespakis might also be in doubt after injuring her left ankle, though she insisted she was fine after managing to play out the match under duress.

“I’ve just got some ice on it now. I just fell over funny, just clumsy,” Prespakis told the Seven Network.

“I’ll learn from it, but it’s all good – totally fine … I was keen to get back out there and I did.”

The Blues overcame a slow start to kick six of the last seven goals, including three to Georgia Gee, as they beat the Lions 6.8 (44) to 2.3 (15).

It was one-way traffic after quarter-time with the Blues registering 38 of the last 49 inside 50s while also finishing the game with 55 more disposals (236-181) and 38 more contested possessions (125-87).

“I think we’re really settled as a group,” Prespakis said.

“We’ve worked pretty hard over the pre-season obviously together and I think the group that we’ve got, we all complement each other well and it just shows in the game and we’re all able to calm each other down and have a bit of fun as well as get the job done.”

Gee wasn’t daunted by the looming assignment against North Melbourne.

“It’ll be a tough one, North are obviously a quality side but, if we play like we did today, and have throughout the season, I think we have a good chance to go through,” Gee said.

Gee was the game breaker in the second half, but Chloe Dalton, Prespakis, Darcy Vescio and captain Kerryn Harrington were all influential in preventing Brisbane scoring at the Royal Parade end.

Ally Anderson was Brisbane’s best, well supported by Bates, Jess Wuetschner and Sophie Conway.

Brisbane recorded nine of the first 10 inside 50s but couldn’t capitalise on their early dominance and had to settle for a paltry two-point lead at quarter-time.

The Blues weren’t able to get their transition game going, but managed to absorb the onslaught and the roles were reversed in the second term with Carlton dominating territory and denying the Lions space on the way to taking a six-point lead at halftime.

Prespakis should’ve made it three goals in a row for the Blues early in the third stanza but the umpires inexplicably adjudged her attempt to have been touched off the boot when TV replays showed the ball missed the Brisbane defender’s fingertips by some margin.

But it mattered little as star forward Gee booted a pair of goals in four minutes soon after to take the game out of Brisbane’s reach.

Gee said Carlton coach Daniel Harford’s message to his players after quarter-time was to lift their intensity.

“Just to hunt the ball and (emphasise) physicality as well and kick goals as much as we could and we certainly did that which was good,” she said.

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