First contest sets standard for AFL Women’s game that exceeded expectations, says Mark Robinson

THE AFL wanted groundbreaking from the first ever women’s match for premiership points. It got something even better, writes MARK ROBINSON.

Bianca Jakobsson bursts through a pack. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

BUILD it and they will come.

Still, no one expected a lock out.

When AFL boss Gill McLachlan was contacted in the second quarter and told there were thousands of fans locked out, the last thing he expected to be doing on this historic occasion was going outside and apologising.

What a nice problem to have.

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The league moved the game from Collingwood to Carlton. Maybe the MCG should’ve been considered.

Always, fingers were crossed Friday night would be groundbreaking, but it was more than that.

A lockout for a women’s football match was beyond rational thinking. More than 24,000 fans piled into the old Princes Park to see Collingwood v Carlton in what was good ol’ fashioned scrap.

Carlton and Collingwood players crack in. Picture: George Salpigtidis

That the skill level will be a work in progress was for all to see.

The uncompromising attack on the ball and the opponent was for all to be amazed.

The collision impact instigated by Carlton’s Sarah Hosking at the first bounce set the standard.

Time and again, the women went at the contest when it was their turn. That’s all you can ask in any game of AFL and Friday night’s combatants didn’t allow any critic to point the finger.

Collingwood’s Sophie Casey crashes into Lauren Arnell. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

The Blues were clearly the better team.

Carlton’s ball movement was better, cleaner and faster and they shared the ball, evident in the third quarter when Bri Davey kicked Carton’s fifth goal after a string of handballs.

Overall, the Blues outnumbered Collingwood at the contest and were strong across half-back, where they also outnumbered the Pies.

The star of the show was Darcy Vescio — the modern-day Dominator — and who kicked three goals before halftime and another in the third quarter. Her skill level, sure hands and awareness of space made her the standout performer.

She was part of the momentous build-up to this game, although not as much as others, but her star shines brightest today.

Goals on the run, out of the ruck and on her non-preferred were part of her package.

Others were pivotal. Davey, Bianca Jakobsson, Lauren Arnell and Nat Exon were among the influential players.

AFLW opener: Historic night for footy

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The Pies were hardly dangerous.

Marquee signing Moana Hope had a poor night and was often competing against two defenders. Her fellow key forward Sarah Darcy showed she will be a player of this competition and veteran Meg Hutchins’ booming kick was a standout.

The Blues easily won the encounter, keeping the Magpies to just one goal and 11 points in total.

Some observers will lament the low scoring, but in many aspects, this wasn’t about the extent of scoring.

What was required was fierce competition and uncompromising effort and that was delivered.

At times, it was odd to see the players kick backwards because without the penetration of kicking, rarely did we see a switch and run. This game was played with grunt, mistakes and plenty of highlights, typical of most games of footy.

A packed house at Ikon Park for the first AFLW game. Picture: Rob Leeson

This night was momentous for all sorts of reasons.

Scenes of yesteryear met the pathway to the future as tram after tram rocking up Royal Pde delivered thousands of fans.

The roar after the national anthem played before the start of the game was truly tingly.

“Brilliant,” said Daisy Pearce.

This match mattered immensely for not only the women who played, and who are waiting to play, but for the thousands of young girls who attended and the many more thousands who watched the game on the TV.

Women’s footy is not only alive, it’s thriving after just one game.