Carlton goes close to shock AFLW upset against Adelaide

This could be a line in the sand moment for the women’s game as Carlton went close to notching a shock upset over Adelaide in a high-scoring game at Ikon Park.

Katie Loynes celebrates a goal. Picture: AAP

This could be a line in the sand moment for the women’s game.

All the talk about last season’s scoring drought and congestion woes went in the bin as Carlton went close to notching a shock upset over Adelaide at Ikon Park.

The Blues led by as much as 17 points in the third term before Adelaide matchwinner Stevie-Lee Thompson turned on a blinder, snagging her fourth goal with a clever snap early in the last term.

Crows captain Erin Phillips and Sarah Perkins also nailed clutch set shots from 35m out in the third term to help book the Crows’ 13-point win.

But there were highlights galore, and tension right throughout this one.

Earlier in the third, it was Thompson who ignited the Adelaide comeback slamming home her third major with a blinding run up the middle.

But Carlton excitement machine Darcy Vescio curled one home from deep in the pocket only moments later, and 18-year-old hard-nut Madison Prespakis also shone in attack to keep the Blues in it late.

Carlton’s Brianna Davey tries to shrug off Marijana Rajcic. Picture: AAP

MAGIC TOUCH

This was a major statement from the Blues, who took the wooden spoon last season, but showed they would be a huge threat this year under new coach Daniel Harford.

Harford wanted more flair, more excitement and more goals, and he got it.

Harford said his team outplayed the Crows for a large part of Sunday’s loss, and could seriously mount a challenge in 2019.

“We take that it was a much-improved performance. It’s pleasing with this group where we challenged one of the best teams in the competition,” Harford said.

“We rallied and didn’t give up, I think we were the better team for a two and a half quarters. But it is a four-quarter game.

“We lost our way in the middle of the ground. That’s not a skill-based problem. The challenge is do it consistently over four quarters.

“When we’re developing like we have from last week to this week, I’m confident we’re on the right track with this group.”

Sarah Hosking pulls down Deni Varnhagen off her kick. Picture: Getty Images

Carlton was bold with the footy in hand, even if some turnovers cost his side after half time.

And for the big picture of AFLW, this meant so much more for a game which has been kicked to the curb at times over the past 12 months.

With more space around the contest this year and a vow to play more exciting footy, this was an enthralling battle from the get-go, and the skills clearly went up a notch.

HEAVY HITS

But this was a bruising affair, too, as both teams dished out the big hits.

Blues hard nut Sarah Hosking set the tone with a bone-crushing tackle in the first term. Hosking dialled up the physicality in the second term when she laid out Crow Courtney Cramey with another heavy bump.

Cramey took time to gather herself, as she got to her feet holding her jaw.

Carlton teammate Prespakis then went after Cramey after the halftime siren as tensions flared on the buzzer.

Hosking also needed some medical attention herself after copping a knee to the ribs from Angela Foley on the boundary line.

The two were competing for a ground ball when they tangled.

Lauren Brazzale wraps up Hannah Martin. Picture: AAP

RELIABLE DEFENCE

Got to take your hat off to Kerryn Harrington.

The gun defender stood up in some big moments yesterday taking a swath of strong overhead marks and wining some crucial ground balls.

She’s tough, Harrington, and her work in the backline helped repel Adelaide’s early inside 50m domination, before things clicked for the Crows in the second half.

Originally published as Carlton goes close to shock AFLW upset against Adelaide