The West Coast Eagles' historic first AFLW finals appearance ended in disappointment as Carlton unleashed a brutal third-quarter onslaught to secure a comprehensive 41-point victory at Ikon Park.
Dream Start Turns Sour for Eagles
After seven seasons of waiting to reach the AFLW finals, West Coast's dream quickly transformed into a nightmare during a devastating 10-minute period after halftime. The Blues kicked four goals in the opening 10 minutes of the third term, completely dismantling West Coast's resistance in wet and windy conditions.
The match ultimately finished Carlton 9.6 (60) to West Coast 2.7 (19), with the third-quarter blitz proving the decisive factor in the elimination final. Carlton's class and composure shone through despite the challenging weather, handling the slippery ball with far greater efficiency than their opponents.
McKay Masterclass Breaks Game Open
The game turned dramatically in the third quarter when Carlton produced five consecutive soccers to gain field position, setting up Sophie McKay for the first of her two goals. McKay delivered a game-breaking performance, collecting eight possessions during the term while also setting up another goal.
Carlton's ability to win contested possession, handle the ball cleanly, and convert opportunities into scoreboard pressure highlighted the gulf between the two teams during the crucial period. The Blues finished with six goals for the quarter, turning an eight-point halftime lead into an unassailable 45-point advantage.
Early Signs and Missed Opportunities
Even during the first term, Carlton's superiority was evident as they moved the ball into space more effectively and capitalized on their scoring chances. Mia Austin shook off a tackle from Zoe Wakfer to find Erone Fitzpatrick for the game's opening goal, while Breann Harrington and Tara Bohanna combined for Carlton's second.
West Coast struggled to convert their opportunities early, with Ella Roberts unable to hold a mark near goal in the opening seconds and Kellie Gibson's shot dribbling out of bounds. Despite leading inside 50s 10-8 in the first quarter, the Eagles failed to score and trailed by 15 points at the first break.
The second quarter showed some promise for West Coast as they tightened their defensive pressure and reduced Carlton's uncontested possession advantage. Roberts finally got the Eagles on the board with a clever snap after Charlotte Riggs' kick hit the mark, but further scoring opportunities went begging.
Final Chapter for Eagles Legend
The loss marked the end of an outstanding career for retiring West Coast star Dana Hooker, who has been instrumental in leading the club through challenging periods. Lucia Painter kicked West Coast's second and final goal with eight minutes remaining in the match, providing a glimpse of the future for the developing Eagles squad.
The match drew a crowd of 3420 spectators to Ikon Park, who witnessed Carlton's dominant display under pressure. While West Coast's season ends in finals disappointment, their young playing group gained valuable experience about the intensity difference between home-and-away matches and finals football.
SCORECARD
Carlton: 2.3, 2.4, 8.6, 9.6 (60)
West Coast: 0.0, 1.2, 1.3, 2.7 (19)
GOALS
Carlton: E Fitzpatrick 2, S McKay 2, D Finn 2, T Bohanna, P Schulz, M Austin
West Coast: E Roberts, L Painter
BEST
Carlton: S McKay, E Fitzpatrick, B Harrington, M Guerin, M Hill, D Vescio
West Coast: E Roberts, C Thomas, J Britton, K Gibson
INJURIES
West Coast: B Smith (hamstring)
