CARLTON have bounced back onto the AFLW winners list, seeing off a dogged Collingwood outfit by four points at Victoria Park on Sunday afternoon to defeat the Pies for the first time in five years.

Speaking to the media post-game, Carlton coach Mathew Buck shared his reactions after another tight finish.

“We always knew Collingwood were going to bring good heat around the contest,” Buck said.

“We thought we were able to match it. “I thought we showed great grit and determination to score a goal after they hit the front in the last.”

Collingwood gave Carlton a run for its money in the second half, pushing the Blues after Carlton got the better of the starts to the match.

“I wouldn’t say disappointed, we just got locked in there a little bit,” Buck explained. “They had good numbers behind the ball. That can always be a challenge 16 vs 16.

“You want to get in to not give one up, but you want to make sure that you want to get it out, get a stoppage and start playing it in your half. “That’s just an education piece for us that we need to keep getting after.”

The win did see Carlton beat Collingwood for the first time since 2019, and Buck shared how nice it felt to get a win over the old enemy after so long.

“It was terrific to get the win and get over the top of them,” Buck said. “They’ve obviously had some injuries throughout their season. They keep turning up to their credit and they are a tough and hard side to play against, which I’m sure they hang their hat on.”

Buck praised the efforts of midfielder Dayna Finn, who kicked the match winning goal.

“It was a great goal and it was a great reward for Dayna, from Ireland and has taken up the game from last year,” Buck said. “Her growth over the 12 month period has been extraordinary. She’s tough and it was a great reward in the end.”

Buck also praised the efforts of Mia Austin.

“Nobody works harder than Mia,” he said. “She works at her craft really strongly. “It has been a tough year , our inside 50s haven’t supported Mia too much.

“To see her get some reward today. Her work rate across the grounds is incredible and you don’t see it from the telly but when your live and watch her closely, she’s a great person to watch, because her work rate is really strong.”