Darcy Vescio leads Carlton to a big win over the Western Bulldogs in the AFLW
BRIANNA the brave, Vescio shines again and young gun Bella Ayre. There was plenty to like in Carlton’s big win over the Western Bulldogs on Saturday.
CARLTON held on for a six-point win against Western Bulldogs at Ikon Park.
The Blues led by 25 points during the third quarter and managed to just hang on.
But the win was physically costly with Nat Exon (ankle) on crutches while captain Lauren Arnell and star defender Brianna Davey were also hindered.
BRIANNA THE BRAVE
The Carlton play maker has a back injury and missed last week’s loss to Melbourne. She was influential, but was clearly affected. She spent plenty of time on the pine in the first half with physios working on her back. It looked like a big effort to even be playing.
Kicking in, she cleared the ball onto the wing for the Blues and then her tackling was also supreme.
Her presence in the last quarter, where the Dogs came within a goal after being down by 25 points, was crucial.
VESCIO SHINES AGAIN
IT’S hard to say if its skill or smarts that sets Darcy Vescio apart.
As Carlton forward Bella Ayre walked in for a set shot at Ikon Park, Vescio was stalking. The pack had formed on the goal line, but Vescio was prowling wide, closer to the point post, almost hiding. When Ayer kicked Vescio arrived on the scene, her three steps launching her over the back of the pack where she held the mark and then converted.
Later she crunched a pack and landed like a cat, while she left two Bulldogs sprawled on the ground.
Mmm... @marcmurphy3 or @darcyvee ... who is the favorite @CarltonFC No. 3?? #dilemma 😆#AFLWBluesPies
— Daniel Harford (@HarfSerious) February 3, 2017
LAMBERT NOT SO SHEEPISH
Jamie Lambert has been playing hurt and hadn’t started in the past two matches. In fact, she barely played a half in one game. Her return to the midfield was crucial. Gee the Dogs have missed her.
Her snap goal thanks largely to the efforts of Brooke Lochland in the forward pocket was clutch and then moments later she was back in defence, laying a tackle to score a holding the ball decision.
She later won a centre clearance, and raced forward, delivering the ball to a running Ellie Blackburn who converted from 50m
BLACKBURN GETS EVEN BETTER
She stepped up last week and again wearing the captain’s band with Katie Brennan (ankle) still sidelined, Blackburn showed she can be a forward as well as a midfield master.
Blackburn had three goals to half time.
Her third, a running goal booted from 50m. She was great at the contest but it’s her delivery — her pin point kicking — that is her trademark.
BELLA AYRE
The youngest player on the field at 18, Ayre played with the confidence and freedom of youth yesterday.
Her 2.2 included two brilliant goals, a set shot and another on the run where she burned off two opponents.
The couple of behind could have easily been goals and with time on her side, she looks like she could be THE forward of the future.
WHAT NOW?
Carlton is technically still a chance to make the Grand Final, but it’s a massive long shot. The Blues, now third, need to keep winning with games against Fremantle and front runner Brisbane. And others to lose as they have a percentage much less than ladder leaders Adelaide and Brisbane.
The Bulldogs are done
Originally published as Darcy Vescio leads Carlton to a big win over the Western Bulldogs in the AFLW
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