IT was hard to make a definitive statement on Carlton’s year throughout the Victorian Football League (VFL) Women’s season, with the Blues experiencing mixed results. A strong end to the season allowed them to finish in the middle range of the ladder.

Position: 7th
Win-loss: 14-6
Percentage: 105%

Results:

Round 1: Defeated Southern Saints by 22 points
Round 2: Defeated Western Bulldogs by 46 points
Round 3: Lost against Hawthorn by 51 points
Round 4: Lost against Geelong by seven points
Round 5: Lost against Darebin by 49 points
Round 6: Lost against NT Thunder by 36 points
Round 7: Lost against Collingwood by 37 points
Round 8: Lost against Melbourne Uni by six points
Round 9: Bye
Round 10: Defeated Williamstown by 29 points
Round 11: Lost against Collingwood by 17 points
Round 12: Defeated Richmond by 41 points
Round 13: Lost against Casey by 10 points
Round 14: Bye
Round 15: Defeated Darebin by 25 points
Round 16: Defeated Essendon by 75 points

Key players:

#3 Darcy Vescio

Won the VFLW leading goal kicker award (Rohenna Young Medal) with 26 goals from nine games. Averaged 2.89 goals per game due to her liveliness in the forward line and cleverness with the ball in hand. Undoubtedly, her season highlight was when she kicked nine majors against the Bombers in Round 16. Of those nine goals, eight were all of Carlton’s first half goals.

#6 Gabriella Pound

Pound was solid in defence all season, using her run and carry to penetrate the ball out of defensive 50. She gave her opponents trouble with her football smarts and could lock down a key player very convincingly. Despite only playing six games, Pound finished in the top 10 of Carlton’s Best and Fairest count. She played one of her best games in Round 16 when she gathered 25 disposals, took four marks and laid two tackles.

#10 Sarah Hosking

The AFL Women’s midfielder showed her trademark ferocity at the contest during the VFLW season. Hosking was able to find the football in congestion and tackle hard, making her one of the most dangerous players on the field. In her seven matches, she was named best-on-ground three times by her coaches. She played one of her best games against Richmond when she kicked a goal, gathered 21 disposals, took five marks and laid 10 tackles.

#17 Tilly Lucas-Rodd

Finished third in Carlton’s Best and Fairest count after a really consistent season. Lucas-Rodd impressed with her long kicks and football smarts around the ground. Was also a key link-up player for the Blues throughout the season, playing a team role. Despite a 49-point loss to Darebin, Lucas-Rodd stood up with 23 disposals, three marks and three tackles.

#40 Kristi Harvey

The Blues skipper was inspirational this season, with some huge tackling and great goals up forward. Her long, booming kick was a highlight of her game and she used it to effect on plenty of occasions. Harvey was able to move the ball really well through the ground, using her high football IQ to do so. She kicked eight goals from 13 games and played a blinder of a game against the Pies in Round 11. In that game, she kicked three majors, racked up 17 touches and took six marks.

Season summary:

The Blues stormed out of the blocks early with two convincing wins to kick off their VFLW campaign. It then suddenly looked disastrous for Carlton, losing its next six matches before the bye. The bye however seemed to be a blessing in disguise, as the Blues won four of their last six games to finish seventh. In Round 15, Carlton sat eighth on the ladder with a percentage of 90.85. But their Round 16 thrashing of the Bombers allowed them to rise up the ladder, and see their percentage increase by 14 to finish off a promising inaugural season.