Blues charge home to keep AFLW record intact

CARLTON have scored a stirring, come-from-behind win over GWS to stay undefeated in the AFLW competition.

With scores level at threequarter time, the Blues kicked the first three goals of the last term to seal a 7.5 (47) to 5.4 (34) win at Ikon Park yesterday.

There was no repeat of the chaotic scenes of last week’s season-opener when hundreds of fans were locked out of the packed ground, but league officials were still pleased with the healthy turnout of 7884 fans.

Brianna Davey was everywhere for Carlton again, with a game-high 18 possessions, while Darcy Vescio was the leading goal kicker with two.

Ashleigh Guest led the way for GWS with 14 disposals and eight tackles, and Jess Dal Pos was also a key with 11 touches, nine tackles and a goal.

A dour affair sprang to life when Carlton’s Bianca Jakobsson kicked the first goal of the day late in the first quarter.

It spurred the Giants into action, who scored through Aimee Schmidt straight from the restart then went seven points ahead at the first break thanks to a lunging effort from Jacinda Barclay.

But that attacking flair from GWS disappeared entirely in the face of a Blues’ counterattack in the second term.

Vescio coolly converted a set shot from 40m out but the home side didn’t make the most of their dominance, leading by just a point at halftime after the Giants failed to register a score.

Dal Pos briefly left the ground with a neck injury in the first quarter but was instrumental in the GWS fightback.

She scored a goal and set up Phoebe McWilliams as the Giants leapt to a 13-point lead. CARLTON V GWS GIANTS 1.0 2.3 4.4 7.5 2.1 2.2 4.4 5.4 GOALS