Summary
Collingwood draw first blood in the AFLW season with a hard-fought, if a little unexpected, win over a side fancied by many to go all the way in 2021.
After an intense, physical opening term that saw just one behind scored, Collingwood flexed their muscles in the second quarter and ultimately sowed the seeds of victory with a four-goal burst to blow the game wide open. Carlton went to half-time shellshocked and scoreless, with the likes of Tayla Harris and Madison Prespakis struggling to make any impact. For Collingwood, ex-Blue Brianna Davey, Chloe Molloy and Brittany Bonnici were running amok as the Magpies kept the ball out of enemy hands and moved it forward with deadly precision when it was in theirs.
They threatened to run away with the game, but Carlton emerged from the long break with renewed intensity. A run of three straight goals in the third term gave the Blues hope, only for Collingwood to raise their own game and hold firm as the game entered its final moments. Though the margin reads one straight kick, Carlton managed to kick one just before the final siren and in truth were never likely to pull off a stunning comeback win. The premiership points undoubtedly went to the better team.
Thanks for your company tonight. If the rest of the AFLW season is like this, we’re in for a treat.
21-year-old Maddy Prespakis addresses Carlton after a tough loss. Born leader 🌟 pic.twitter.com/dho27X2fov
— 7AFL (@7AFL) January 28, 2021
Updated
FT: Collingwood 5-3 (33) beat Carlton 4-3 (27)
Harrington gets a goal just before the siren for Carlton but time was against the Blues and Collingwood hold on for a thrilling, and much deserved, victory.
Q4: 2 mins remaining: Carlton 3-3 (21) vs Collingwood 5-3 (33) Poor attack on the ball by Carlton gifts a free kick to Davey. But the ball is turned over and Harris marks just outside 50, forcing the ball forward, but Collingwood defend as if their lives depend on it. The Blues are running out of time.
Updated
Q4: 5 mins remaining: Carlton 3-3 (21) vs Collingwood 5-3 (33) Hosking takes a nice contested mark inside-50 for Carlton. A goal here would be enormous ... but she misses to the right. Big miss.
Q4: 7 mins remaining: Carlton 3-2 (20) vs Collingwood 5-3 (33) Big sling tackle on Laloifi and it looks like Schleicher has been reported. The Blues then get a point closer to Collingwood.
Updated
Q4: 9 mins remaining: Carlton 3-1 (19) vs Collingwood 5-3 (33) Egan hesitates, and you can’t do that in this game. Another holding the ball decision. But Collingwood are unable to penetrate deep. The ball ping-pongs between the two centre-half lines for a while until Carlton force the ball forward only for Harris to lose out in a marking contest deep in the forward line.
Q4: 11 mins remaining: Carlton 3-1 (19) vs Collingwood 5-3 (33) Sheridan is mobbed in the middle of the ground. Holding the ball! Carlton’s intensity is still there but so is Collingwood’s. Fowler tackles strongly and truly to win a free in the middle of the ground, but the Pies forward’s are too hasty with the tackle and it’s a free for Carlton.
Q4: 13 mins remaining: Carlton 3-1 (19) vs Collingwood 5-3 (33) Davey hits Prespakis hard on the outer wing - they’ve been at it all night, these two - but it’s a stalemate. Another stoppage follows, with Bonnici at the bottom of the pack yet again. If Carlton are to pinch this, they’ll have to get past her first.
Q4: 13 mins remaining: Carlton 3-1 (19) vs Collingwood 5-3 (33) A set shot looks threatening for Collingwood, but Harris drops back to repel the threat. The ball then returns as quickly as it departed, and this time it’s Prespakis who saves the day for Carlton with a well-judged mark.
Q4: 15 mins remaining: Carlton 3-1 (19) vs Collingwood 5-3 (33) Here we go. Collingwood have a handy lead but Carlton have the momentum. Anything is possible. High tackle free for Davey wins Collingwood an early centre clearance. The ball is sent long and into the goal square, players collide, and the ball bounces across the face and onto the far post. A Pies behind to get things going.
3QT: Carlton 3-1 (19) vs Collingwood 5-2 (32)
Much, much better from Carlton. The daring and desire that was missing in the first half returned in the third quarter as the Blues piled on three unanswered goals. Prespakis and Harris, knee strapped, were largely missing in the first two quarters but were instrumental as Carlton got back in the game. The Blues looked like they might steal an unlikely lead, but a goal against play to Collingwood meant the Pies retained a buffer, albeit a diminished one, heading into the final term. It will be a big one.
What a kick by @prespakis! #AFLW #AFLWBluesPies pic.twitter.com/wBssak9uQu
— Maddy Prespakis Fans (@MaddyPrespakis) January 28, 2021
Q3: 1 min remaining: Carlton 3-1 (19) vs Collingwood 5-2 (32) Allen shows speed, courage and strength to shrug off a Harris tackle and stymie Carlton’s latest forward thrust.
Q3: 1 min remaining: Carlton 3-1 (19) vs Collingwood 5-2 (32) Big call from the ump as Lambert wraps up Harris and gives away a free kick for in the back. Looked a fair tackle. Harris can’t quite make the distance as the ball is carried over for a behind, despite claims for a Carlton mark on the line.
Q3: 2 mins remaining: Carlton 3-0 (18) vs Collingwood 5-2 (32) Goal! Collingwood finally move forward. Brilliant anticipation and ball skills from Lambert to release Sheridan, who pounces on the tumbling ball and runs into an open goal. A major against the run of play and a much-needed one for the Pies.
Q3: 4 mins remaining: Carlton 3-0 (18) vs Collingwood 4-2 (26) Carlton again go deep but Bonnici retreats to save the day. Collingwood are rattled, however, and the ball slingshots back Carlton’s way and into the hands of Hosking, who converts for her first AFLW major. What is going on here? Did these teams swap jumpers at the long break? Now it’s Collingwood who can’t get their hands on the ball.
Updated
Q3: 6 mins remaining: Carlton 2-0 (12) vs Collingwood 4-2 (26) Goal! Schleicher has her hands all over Vescio in a marking contest and it’s a no-brainer free for the Carlton forward. Calm as you like, Vescio splits the big sticks to make it two goals in two minutes for the resurgent Blues. Six inside-50s to none so far.
Q3: 8 mins remaining: Carlton 1-0 (6) vs Collingwood 4-2 (26) Goal! Stevens kicks truly, sneaking the ball through to finally get Carlton on the scoreboard. Much better signs here from the girls in blue.
Q3: 10 mins remaining: Carlton 0-0 (0) vs Collingwood 4-2 (26) The ball remains inside Carlton’s forward 50 and they have another shot on goal but it’s out on the full. The Blues have stepped it up a notch this quarter and Stevens pulls off a fine tackle to win a holding-the-ball free directly in front ...
Q3: 13 mins remaining: Carlton 0-0 (0) vs Collingwood 4-2 (26) Another inside-50 for Carlton, so at least they have emerged for the second half with renewed desire. But Collingwood have picked up where they left off: not giving the Blues an inch. Moody wins a free for a ruck infringement and now Carlton finally have a mark inside-50 - courtesy of Harris, knee patched up but definitely on the ground - but the key forward can’t go long enough and the Blues remain scoreless.
Q3: 15 mins remaining: Carlton 0-0 (0) vs Collingwood 4-2 (26) We are back for the third quarter. Let’s see what Carlton have got. Harris remains off the ground for the Blues with a suspected knee injury. An early hit-out for Carlton and a rare foray inside-50 but they can’t take a trick down there. Still no marks for the Blues inside-50.
Interesting to see Prespakis tonight, JfP. She’s now the hunted.
HT: Carlton 0-0 (0) vs Collingwood 4-2 (26)
Collingwood threatened to blow this game open in a low-scoring opening term, and they did just that as the floodgates opened in the second. Collingwood owned the footy, piling on four goals in about as many minutes to send Carlton to the changing rooms shellshocked and possibly in for a half-time rocket. If the Blues managed to hang in there for the first 15 minutes, they were helpless as Collingwood tackled harder, chased harder and moved the ball faster to go to half-time comfortably the better team. Molloy and Davey are having big games for Collingwood but in truth they have winners all over the ground. Scoreless and hapless, a big response is required from Carlton in the second half.
Bri Davey gets a goal against her old side as the Pies kick four straight goals 😲#AFLWBluesPies pic.twitter.com/vEpTw3ZDcv
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) January 28, 2021
Q2: 1 min remaining: Carlton 0-0 (0) vs Collingwood 4-2 (26) The Pies are women on a mission and Laloifi is lucky to get away with a high tackle. A little lower and that would have been holding the ball. But the ball doesn’;t stay in Carlton’s keeping for long as Davey dishes out a big “don’t argue” and now there’s a melee forming on centre wing with Prespakis at the bottom of the pack. Carlton getting frustrated.
Q2: 2 mins remaining: Carlton 0-0 (0) vs Collingwood 4-2 (26) Goal! Collingwood win another centre clearance and the Carlton defence is nowhere to be seen as Davey dribbles one through the uprights ... and another nail into the Carlton coffin. There’s time left, but the Blues are absent tonight. It’s all Collingwood.
Q2: 4 mins remaining: Carlton 0-0 (0) vs Collingwood 3-2 (20) Goal! Immense contested mark by Molloy, who soars across the pack and snaffles truly. The forward steps back, jogs forward and converts her set shot to drive another dagger into Carlton’s heart. Harris off the ground for Carlton. Not looking good for the Blues.
Q2: 5 mins remaining: Carlton 0-0 (0) vs Collingwood 2-2 (14) GOAL! Collingwood again go forward. Carlton’s under-fire defence stop one advance in its tracks, then another, but the ball spills to Molloy, who turns on the jets, beats her opponent with speed and runs into an open goal. Floodgates. Opening.
Q2: 7 mins remaining: Carlton 0-0 (0) vs Collingwood 1-2 (8) GOOOOOOAAAAAALLL! Sheridan shows her teammates how it’s done and splits the big sticks from a tight angle at close quarters. Finally, finally, Collingwood have converted their superiority into scoreboard pressure.
Q2: 8 mins remaining: Carlton 0-0 (0) vs Collingwood 0-2 (2) ... but Lambert can’t convert, missing her set shot from a slight angle.
Q2: 9 mins remaining: Carlton 0-0 (0) vs Collingwood 0-1 (1) Livingstone again wins the ball at centre half-back, shimmying away from an advancing opponent to win some valuable metres for Collingwood. Brown, on debut for the Pies, then gets a kick away and finds Newman, who then finds Lambert unopposed 20 metres out from goal...
Q2: 11 mins remaining: Carlton 0-0 (0) vs Collingwood 0-1 (1) Livingstone rebounds nicely for Collingwood before Harris is late to the following contest and gives away a free kick. Prespakis gives her all at the bottom of packs but can’t propel the Blues forward. The star mid is getting plenty of ball but is being well held.
Q2: 15 mins remaining: Carlton 0-0 (0) vs Collingwood 0-1 (1) We’re back for the second term. Good news: Moody is back on the field for Carlton after being involved in a heavy collision in the first quarter. A reckless tackle on the wing sees Collingwood go deep inside their forward 50 but again Laloifi stands firm on the last line.
QT: Carlton 0-0 (0) vs Collingwood 0-1 (1)
Manic, frantic opening quarter to get the AFLW season under way. Tackling and defensive pressure has been a hallmark of both teams to this point, but Collingwood are the ones on top in general play. The Pies are winning the inside-50 count by 12-3 but Carlton are hanging in there, if not yet looking threatening at the other end. It’s little surprise that the Blues are winning the tackle count 18-15. They did a lot of chasing in an absorbing first term.
Footy. Is. Back 🙌#AFLW | #AFLWBluesPies
— AFL (@AFL) January 28, 2021
Q1: 1 min remaining: Carlton 0-0 (0) vs Collingwood 0-1 (1) Big tackle again by Laloifi wins another free for Carlton deep in the Collingwood forward line. But again Carlton can’t do anything with their chances, forced away from the corridor by Collingwood. Then a HUGE tackle by Casey on O’Dea. The scoreboard doesn’t say so, but it’s all Collingwood at the moment.
Q1: 3 mins remaining: Carlton 0-0 (0) vs Collingwood 0-1 (1) Velardo is again sniffing around the forward pocket, but she is retarded by a superb Laloifi tackle. And the Collingwood youngster shows her inexperience by giving away a 50m penalty. The Blues can’t do anything with it, however, as Collingwood again surge forward.
Q1: 5 mins remaining: Carlton 0-0 (0) vs Collingwood 0-1 (1) Velardo again looks dangerous inside the Collingwood forward 50, but the pressure just isn’t letting up. The game is being played largely in the Pies’ forward line, but Carlton are having none of it. Meanwhile, Moody leaves the ground in the hands of Carlton medical staff.
Q1: 8 mins remaining: Carlton 0-0 (0) vs Collingwood 0-1 (1) Intense pressure from both teams on the ball carrier. Loynes is the latest to tackle with intent, winning a holding-the-ball call, but squandering her opportunity to make inroads forward with a poor kick.
Q1: 10 mins remaining: Carlton 0-0 (0) vs Collingwood 0-1 (1) Lambert misses to the left, opening the scoring for the AFLW season with a behind. Good hands by Prespakis almost sets Carlton away but good defensive pressure by Collingwood forces a stoppage. Davey then makes her presence felt against her old club, taking a very smart mark at centre-half back.
Q1: 13 mins remaining: Carlton 0-0 (0) vs Collingwood 0-0 (0) Lovely intercept mark by Wilson at centre half-back nullifies Collingwood’s first foray forward. An early touch for Velardo, and now Lambert has a set shot on goal...
Q1: 15 mins remaining: Carlton 0-0 (0) vs Collingwood 0-0 (0) And we’re up and away for the first game of the 2021 AFLW season and the first game of footy in Melbourne for almost a year. Early free kick for Carlton, with Prespakis making her presence felt on centre wing. It’s a poor kick forward, though, as Collingwood rebound.
We’re getting very close. First, players are joining arms in the centre of the ground, silently remembering former Giant Jacinda Barclay, who died last October.
We’re getting close.
Warm up ! Kicking snags !
— 💧Kylie Mumby (@kylsm5) January 28, 2021
Coach settling nerves with the tennis ball 🎾 🤔#AFLWBluesPies #Baggers pic.twitter.com/18DLUjlFIu
Excellent piece here from Megan Maurice, who asks if the AFLW is gaining the recognition it deserves into its fifth season.
Lest anyone doubt that football is indeed an artform.
#FootballArt #AFLWBluesPies
— Australian Football Art (@djwilliamsart) January 28, 2021
Carlton v Collingwood
Watch the Stars shine
Chloe Molloy -> https://t.co/VfUA0v6AxX
Darcy Vescio -> https://t.co/379uGh8MeR
Sarah Rowe -> https://t.co/U42lARJDka
Tayla Harris -> https://t.co/vXOc4i7qTe pic.twitter.com/UtTY5yHNJt
Apparently Brianna Davey has been quizzed once, maybe twice, about taking on her old club tonight. Apparently.
They hate each other, we swear 😏@BriannaDavey takes on her old side tonight at Ikon Park, and @kez_harrington's not letting her forget it.#AFLW #AFLWBluesPies pic.twitter.com/HcP1W43pqX
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) January 28, 2021
A blast from the past...
Carlton fans will be hoping for more of the same tonight from Darcy Vescio.
Throwback to the first ever @carltonfc_w goal kicked! Lets hope for some more for @darcyvee tonight & for the 2021 season! #BoundByBlue pic.twitter.com/dKQfFrt8TG
— Carlton AFLW Fans (@CarltonAFLW) January 28, 2021
Teams
CARLTON
B: B. Vernon, N. Plane
HB: V. Laloifi, C. Wilson, K. Harrington
C: L. Brazzale, E. O’Dea, K. Loynes
HF: M. Hill, T. Harris, D. Vescio
F: N. Stevens, J. Hosking
Foll: B. Moody, M. Prespakis, G. Gee
I/C: M. Guerin, A. Downie, A. McKay, G. Egan, C. Hammans
COLLINGWOOD
B: L. Butler, J. Allen
HB: R. Schleicher, S. Livingstone, A. Porter
C: S. Chiocci, J. Lambert, E. Fowler
HF: A. Velardo, B. Smith, A. Sheridan
F: C. Molloy, A. Newman
Foll: S. Norder, B. Davey, B. Bonnici
I/C: M. Cann, S. Alexander, S. Casey, E. O’Dea, T. Brown
So no late changes. This amounts to four new faces for both Carlton and Collingwood. There is no Lucy McEvoy for Carlton after the former No 2 draft pick fractured a cheekbone in a practice game. All eyes will be on Mimi Hill, Carlton’s top draft pick in the 2020 draft, and star recruit Elise O’Dea, while Tarni Brown is one of three debutants for Collingwood alongside Bella Smith and Amelia Velardo. Aliesha Newman is another to play her first game in the black-and-white after switching from Melbourne.
Family is everything 🤍
— Collingwood AFLW (@CollingwoodAFLW) January 27, 2021
A special moment for our debutants who were presented their jumpers in front of friends + family. pic.twitter.com/8DwYtJMe30
Preamble
Good evening and welcome to our live coverage of the AFLW season opener between Carlton and Collingwood. It’s a big deal whenever these two great rivals meet, but round one represents an opportunity for two clubs to showcase their premiership wares in a season both are expected to do something.
The burden of expectation weighs heavier on the Blues, and they are worthy favourites to take the points at Ikon Park, but the Magpies are nobody’s pushover. They will surely offer a searching examination to the credibility of Carlton’s flag aspirations.
There are new faces in both jumpers, one or two notable absentees and an undercurrent of subplots that make for stories within the story. Chief among them are the long-awaited first appearance of Collingwood’s Brianna Davey against her old club and the latest instalment of the antagonism between Tayla Harris and Stacey Livingstone. More on line-ups soon but worthy of immediate mention is the continuation of a famous name in the prison bars with the debut appearance of Tarni Brown, daughter of club legend Gavin. All of this will be played out under lights in front of a crowd that has exhausted its ticket allocation.
Can’t wait for this one. If you have any pearls of wisdom to share, consider me a willing recipient. You can get in touch via email or by tweeting @scott_heinrich
The AFLW season opener between Carlton and Collingwood has sold out 👏 pic.twitter.com/aGXpysjMVe
— 7AFL (@7AFL) January 28, 2021
