DON’T look now, but Carlton may have snuck into the AFLW finals hunt for 2023. After consigning the Western Bulldogs to their worst-ever start (0-6) with a 19-point win at Whitten Oval on Friday night, the Blues have momentarily climbed to fifth place on the ladder.

Riding a 4-2 record over halfway into the home-and-away season, they are likely to remain a game clear inside the top eight come round’s end, as fellow contenders Gold Coast (6th) and Richmond (8th), and Geelong (7th) and Essendon (10th) lock horns on Sunday.

Perhaps most significantly, Carlton’s run home looks favourable. All four of the Blues’ remaining opponents are situated outside the top eight, and only one away trip remains – up to Henson Park to face the 1-5 GWS Giants in Round 8.

That fixture is middled by clashes with tradition rivals Collingwood and Essendon, while Carlton’s final regular season match looms as equally important. St Kilda awaits in a game which could decide the Blues’ finals fate among a competitive field of hopefuls.

Should they get over the line, it would make for a remarkable maiden campaign under new coach Mathew Buck. Carlton last qualified for finals in the incomplete 2020 season, and made the 2019 AFLW Grand Final under Daniel Harford.

While the positive results are mounting, much of Carlton’s messaging this year suggests the club is realistic about being in a rebuilding phase. Though, a focus on high performance and professionalism is quickly bearing fruits for the rising side.

Midfielder Keeley Sherar continued her breakout season with a team-high 27 disposals and eight tackles on Friday, while fellow young gun Keeley Skepper has also had an outstanding campaign, and Daisy Walker has now booted her first goal at senior level.

Elsewhere, the midfield looks settled around mainstays Abbie McKay and Mimi Hill, while Breann Moody has been unleashed up forward on the back of Jess Good‘s work as a primary ruck. There’s even more positive news in that skipper Kerryn Peterson is due back from injury, and knocks to McKay (ankle) and Vaomua Laloifi (knee) don’t look too serious.

With the pieces coming together, Carlton fans can dream of another crack at finals – and anything can happen from there. Though, it’ll be a tall order to crack a breakaway top two of Adelaide and Melbourne, let alone North Melbourne and Brisbane.

THE RUN HOME

ROUND 7:
vs. Collingwood | Sunday October 15 @ IKON Park

ROUND 8:
vs. GWS | Saturday October 21 @ Henson Park

ROUND 9:
vs. Essendon | Saturday October 28 @ Windy Hill

ROUND 10:
vs. St Kilda | Date and time to be confirmed