AFTER a reality check against premiership favourites North Melbourne last week, Carlton was able to bounce back with a “challenging” win over Fremantle at Ikon Park on Sunday. The Blues trailed by a point at half-time and levelled the game in a arm-wrestle third term before kicking the last two goals of the match – and only two of the second half – to defeat the Dockers, 5.2 (32) to 3.5 (23).

Coach Matthew Buck said it was a pleasing result for the club, and particularly so when they had to dig deep during that second half to find something having not capitalise in the first term with a stack of inside 50s.

“Coming off last week’s loss and then the resilience to bounce back and have a solid performance, it was a challenging game right throughout for us,” he said. “But to come out the winner was a really positive result so overall, got to be pleased with it.

“We had a lot of repeat entries in the first quarter and couldn’t quite capitalise which we might have been able to separate the game there, but we weren’t able to do that. “Then it was about Freo are so challenging around the contest so you’ve got to show up there consistently, so proud of our team, they dug in and we got over the line in the last, but in particular I thought we lifted our contest to get it done.”

Father-daughter Blue and Round 7 inclusion Meg Robertson kicked her first AFLW goal in the match midway through the last quarter to boot what was her side’s sealing major.

“Meg’s such a great teammate,” Buck said. “She’s working really hard to get better every week. “Got an opportunity to play this week and it’s all about owning your moments isn’t it? “She managed to do that and I think everyone’s really pleased for her. Great for Meg and hopefully we can build on that from here.”

When asked the difference in the game, Buck noted the ability to hit the scoreboard despite going against the trend, as individuals stood tall in the Round 7 win.

“I think the last quarter in particular, I don’t think there was a lot of goals to go to the football club end, so to actually hit the scoreboard this end was really good and I think that come on the back of our shape and our contest,” Buck said.

“Keeley Sherar and Lily Goss in particular through the middle of the ground really dug in, and then the maturity of Jess Good and Breann Harrington late and the experience they have in tight games got us over the end.”

Carlton sets its sights on Geelong next weekend when the Blues face the Cats at GMHBA Stadium on Sunday.

“We get a few day’s break here which will be great for our squad,” Buck said. “We’ve been pushing really hard to this point in the season. “Now to go down to Geelong and play, they’re a team that have been in great form and had a tight loss last night. “I think it will be a ripping game, that’s for sure and they’ve got some high quality players that we’ll have to put some work into so really looking forward to getting down there and taking them on.”