Carlton has seen off Walyalup and the first edition of AFLW 'Wharfie Time' to win a thriller at Cockburn ARC Oval by six points on Sunday afternoon, continuing an undefeated start to the season.
In a thrilling clash that was alive right until the final seconds, the Blues held their nerve defensively, with the ball locked in Walyalup's forward half when the siren sounded to confirm the 7.6 (48) to 6.6 (42) win.
In a bizarre game that saw all scores kicked to one end for more than three quarters, Carlton flipped the script to kick back-to-back goals against the breeze in the final term to set up its win, with Mimi Hill and Erone Fitzpatrick the heroes.
Gabby O'Sullivan snapped a terrific goal to keep Walyalup alive, with the ground coming alive when the button was pushed for 'Wharfie Time' with 90 seconds to play.
Star midfielder Kiara Bowers booted a behind to cut the margin to six points, but Walyalup couldn't find the goal they needed to tie score, slipping to 1-2 after a heartbreaking loss.
As well as Hill (23 disposals and a goal) and Fitzpatrick (23 and one), Poppy Scholz was critical for the Blues in a massive fourth quarter.
Bowers (27 and 11 tackles) was outstanding for Walyalup, while Gabby Newton (28 and seven clearances) was all class when Walyalup mounted their charge. Mim Strom (27 hitouts and eight clearances) was also prominent.
Walyalup had a patient approach with the ball in the opening quarter and struggled to create opportunities, with a series of turnovers at half-forward opening the door for Carlton to pounce.
The Blues didn't miss their chance either, kicking goals through Scholz, Claudia Whitfort, and Fitzpatrick, who converted a brilliant snap from the pocket to give the Blues an early 20-point lead.
Scoreless in the opening term, things looked like getting worse for Walyalup when Aisling McCarthy clutched at her right knee after being tackled at the opening centre ball-up in the second term, leaving the ground slowly with the help of trainers.
Walyalup gathered themselves, however, with Bowers sparking a high-pressure quarter that stunned the Blues and turned the game, with Walyalup laying 20 tackles to 15 and controlling inside 50s (9-5).
Megan Kauffman converted Walyalup's first goal before Newton cruised through traffic to boot a nice goal from 40m on the run. Gabby O'Sullivan added a third, with Strom giving her team the lead when she slotted a fourth on the run from just inside 50.
The match tightened up in the third, with Carlton kicking back-to-back goals to grab a seven-point lead and Walyalup unable to take its chances depite spending plenty of time in attack.
Scores were tied early in the fourth after Hayley Miller converted a tight set shot.
But Hill's class to convert a running banana gave the Blues the advantage before Scholz stood tall on the wing to create Fitzpatrick's match-sealing goal.
Aish Mac revival
Walyalup star Aisling McCarthy looked done for the day when she clutched at her right knee at the start of the second quarter, hobbling slowly from the field with the help of trainers. The midfielder went through plenty of tests on the boundary, however, and was up and completing run-throughs before half-time in promising signs. Still, it came as a massive surprise when the important 30-year-old emerged in the third quarter with her knee strapped, bolting down the wing and linking up with teammates. McCarthy finished with 11 disposals and four tackles.
A true scoring end
Every single score for more than three quarters was registered at the food truck end of Cockburn ARC Oval, or the left-hand side of the screen, as both teams utilised the breeze in different ways. For Carlton, quick movement gave them good looks when kicking with the breeze, while Walyalup was able to lock the ball in its front half with deep entries and tackling pressure when it had the advantage. Bizarrely, Walyalup created more entries against the wind in the third quarter (7-6) but poor kicking cost them scoring chances. With the breeze behind them in the fourth they booted two, but Carlton found a way to break through against the breeze.
Next up
Walyalup hits the road to take on Richmond next Sunday at Ikon Park, with the teams meeting for the first time since Walyalup's commanding 44-point win at Fremantle Oval last season. The Blues will follow them at Ikon Park on Sunday afternoon, taking on Collingwood. Mathew Buck's team won that match-up by 24 points in round one last season.
WALYALUP 0.0. 4.3. 4.3 6.6 (42)
CARLTON 3.2. 3.2 5.4 7.6 (48)
GOALS
Walyalup: O'Sullivan 2, Strom, Newton, Miller, Kauffman
Carlton: Fitzpatrick 2, Whitfort, Scholz, S.McKay, Hill, Finn
BEST
Walyalup: Bowers, Strom, Newton, O'Sullivan, Kauffman, Miller
Carlton: Fitzpatrick, Hill, Scholz, A.McKay, Finn, Whitfort
LATE CHANGES
Walyalup: Nil
Carlton: Darcy Vescio (calf awareness)
INJURIES
Walyalup: McCarthy (knee)
Carlton: Nil
Crowd: 2,752 at Cockburn ARC Oval
