AFLW 2021: Collingwood defeats Carlton, Aliesha Newman banned for sling tackle

Collingwood’s Aliesha Newman has been offered a one-match ban for her tackle that left Carlton’s Vaouma Laloifa concussed on Thursday night.

Chloe Molloy is all smiles after a goal that helped the Pies vanquish the Blues. Picture: Michael Klein

Collingwood’s Aliesha Newman has been offered a one-match suspension for an early guilty plea after a sling tackle on Carlton’s Vaomua Laloifi in Thursday night’s season opener.

Newman, who was playing her first game in the Pies colours after four AFLW seasons at Melbourne, was charged with rough conduct (dangerous tackle) on Blues defender Laloifi during the fourth quarter of their Round 1 clash, which Collingwood won by a goal.

Laloifi was treated for concussion after the tackle.

Based on the available evidence, the incident was assessed as careless conduct, medium impact and high contact.

In total, across Round 1, seven charges were laid, including both Pies’ Bri Davey and Blues’ Madison Prespakis were charged with wrestling one another and both were offered a reprimand with an early plea (a first offence for wrestling is a $400 sanction, but an early plea enables the player to accept a reprimand).

PIES, BLUES BRING THE BIFF

It worked that well it felt unfair at times, but Collingwood might have the most potent forward pairing in AFLW when it plays Chloe Molloy and Brianna Davey inside 50 together.

A second-quarter onslaught, in which Molloy kicked two and Davey one, looked like a formula that could take Collingwood deep in season 2021.

While Davey, the former Carlton skipper, eventually moved back into the middle for the Pies, opposition coaches will be scrambling to work out the best method to curtail the two-pronged attack.

Carlton had no answers for Collingwood spearhead Chloe Molloy. Picture: Getty Images

Bri Davey was also a handful for the Blues. Picture: Getty Images

The move wouldn’t have been as effective had Collingwood not gained control around the ball, and the likes of Brittany Bonnici (22 disposals) and Jaimee Lambert (17 disposals) dominated the midfield battle.

Molloy a class above

Chloe Molloy sizzled playing a high half-forward role for Collingwood and took the game away from Carlton in the second quarter with two stellar goals.

The club’s 2018 best and fairest showcased her speed, bursting away and into and open goal before reeling in a strong pack mark and converting from 30 metres out.

Molloy finished with 10 touches and two goals.

Blues’ star Tayla Harris was swamped early by the likes of Pie Ruby Schleicher. Picture: Michael Klein

Harris v Livingstone – The match within the match

Stacey Livingstone said Tayla Harris was no good when the ball hit the ground, and Harris fired back saying a lion doesn’t lose sleep over the opinions of sheep.

After exchanging barbs through the media and on social media after last season’s clash, Stacey Livingstone blanketed Tayla Harris in the first half of the game, keeping the high-profile forward to just one handball.

And after halftime it was much of the same – Harris finishing with six disposals and failing to register a score.

A Brown getting a freekick at Princes Park? Collingwood fans have seen this before. Picture: Michael Klein

Like father, like daughter

A Brown getting a high freekick at Princes Park. It was the perfect script and would’ve felt like a flashback for Collingwood fans.

After coming off the bench in the first quarter it took just two-minutes for father-daughter and debutant Tarni Brown to win a freekick after fearlessly throwing herself at the footy on centre-wing.

Collingwood has found a gem in Brown and she finished with eight disposals and two tackles.

Carlton’s big guns fire blanks

Collingwood managed to keep the Blues’ big guns quiet, which ultimately helped them over the line.

Harris didn’t look threatening, while star goalkicker Darcy Vescio kicked a goal in the third quarter but only had four disposals.

Fans return to the footy in Victoria

Almost a year after fans were locked out of the footy in Victoria, Ikon Park welcomed a sellout crowd to Carlton’s spiritual home of 6712 people.

Only a handful of fans turned up to the ground hoping to buy tickets, which have to be pre-purchased for safety reasons.

Carlton and Collingwood players pay tribute to former Giant Jacinda Barclay before their Round 1 AFLW clash.

PIES, BLUES PAY TRIBUTE TO FORMER GIANT

Collingwood and Carlton have come together to pay tribute to former Greater Western Sydney star Jacinda Barclay before doing battle in the AFLW’s season opener.

The two clubs joined the officiating umpires in a circle in the middle of Ikon Park before the match for a minute’s silence to honour Barclay.

Pies, Blues and umpires stand as one. Picture: Getty Images

A former Australian baseball representative who turned her hand to AFLW, Barclay passed away last October at the age of 29.

She kicked 11 goals from 23 games across four seasons for the Giants and was described by her family after her death as a “shining comet that soared through this world casting her radiant light of love on all she met”.

*For those needing help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

SCOREBOARD

Collingwood 5.3 (33) def Carlton 4.3 (27)

Pies like Brittany Bonnici have led the Blues to the footy in almost every instance. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

Blue Madison Prespakis and Pie Brianna Davey bring back the biff. Picture: Getty Images

Eddie Everywhere in the house. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

AFLW chief executive Nicole Livingstone catches the first game of the new season. Picture: Getty Images

Collinwood and Carlton fans scan their QR tracking codes to enter the ground. Picture: Getty Images

Originally published as AFLW 2021: Collingwood defeats Carlton, Aliesha Newman banned for sling tackle