CARLTON earned an AFL Women’s finals berth for the second year running under Daniel Harford, completing the feat of notching another finals win in the process before the season was cut short. Lauded for their ability to adapt and execute a range of gameplans, the Blues achieved their winningest campaign to date en route to finishing second in Conference B at 5-1. With four All Australian members and three Rising Star nominees littered across a talent-stacked squad, the foundation club is coming into its own and produced some memorable moments to relive in our season review.

RECORD: 2nd (B), 5-1 (1-0 finals), 151.8%

RESULTS:

R1: defeated Richmond by 34 points
R2: lost to Collingwood by 15 points
R3: defeated Western Bulldogs by 21 points
R4: defeated Adelaide by 8 points
R5: defeated St Kilda by 21 points 
R6: defeated Melbourne by 16 points
SF: defeated Brisbane by 29 points

The Blues returned a near-bullet proof record in 2020, dented solely by the old enemy, Collingwood two weeks into the campaign. Dealt a relatively tough draw on the back of its grand final appearance in 2019, Carlton made the ideal start in providing a baptism of fire for the incoming Richmond side. Fast-forward to Round 3 and the young Bulldogs were next to be ticked off the list, with an iconic road win over Adelaide in a grand final rematch arguably the crown on Carlton’s year. Melbourne became the third foundation team to fall victim to the Blues, with Brisbane following come finals time after being outsmarted and outlasted. A team with terrific heart, the Baggers overcame some tricky obstacles along the way.

SEASON HIGH: Redemption in the grand final rematch

An historic 2019 season decider did not go the way of the Blues as they fell 45 points short of Adelaide, but the first meeting between the two sides produced a much different result, and an instant classic. On the road once again, Carlton joined the Crows on a 2-1 record and came in as a slight underdog despite the home side’s crushing injury blows. Behind at half-time, the Blues mustered something special to sneak ahead at the final break, holding on via its rock-solid defence and a game-sealing Darcy Vescio goal. Magic.

SEASON LOW: Going down to the old enemy for the first time

A fortnight before the Blues claimed their first-ever win over Adelaide, they suffered their maiden loss in arguably the most important fixture – against old enemy, Collingwood. Having accounted for the Pies in their previous three meetings, the Blues simply had no answers for Collingwood’s swift transition play and sturdy defence – who could forget Stacey Livingstone‘s job on Tayla Harris? In a bizarre twist, the Magpies pulled off the win even without ace recruit, Bri Davey, who went down with an injury scare in Round 1 after switching allegiances in the off-season.

FIVE KEY PERFORMERS:

Madison Prespakis (21.3 disposals, 2.7 marks, 3 tackles, 4.3 clearances, 3.3 inside 50s, 282 metres gained, 3 goals)

Last year’s Rising Star winner picked up right from where she left off, putting in a scintillating third term of the season opener to set up another outstanding season. The nuggety midfielder is Carlton’s prime mover, winning the ball at will despite heavy opposition attention and standing up in the clutch moments. A game changer among the game changers, and potential league MVP this year having already gained All Australian squad recognition.

Kerryn Harrington (13.7 disposals, 81% efficiency, 4.4 marks, 1.9 tackles, 2.6 rebound 50s)

The co-captain and leader of a solid defensive unit, Harrington’s outstanding reading of the play and sound use on the rebound was again a key feature in her side’s success across 2020. Her astonishing 13-mark effort against the Crows was crucial to the Blues holding on for the win on that day, and exemplary of how Harrington led the club for marks, intercept possessions, rebound 50s, and disposal efficiency in 2020.

Sarah Hosking (11.7 disposals, 70% efficiency, 2.6 marks, 3.1 tackles, 1.4 inside 50s, 2 goals)

Akin to the Energizer bunny in the way she can run all day and get to a wealth of contests, Hosking continued to prove she is all heart in 2020 with phenomenal attack on the ball and a fearless approach. A foundation member of the Blues’ squad alongside twin sister, Jess, the 24-year-old has become a leader in her actions on-field and is a much-loved figure around the club. Doesn’t miss a beat.

Katie Loynes (9.6 disposals, 1.9 marks, 4.6 tackles, 2.9 clearances, 2.7 inside 50s)

Pure numbers may not always stack up in terms of conveying a players’ impact, and Loynes is a competitor whose value is better felt in the immesuarables. A fierce leader who gives it her all each week, the 34-year-old co-captain led her club for tackles in 2020, while also featuring highly in the clearance and contested ball stakes on the back of her tireless work as an inside midfielder. Leading from the front, Loynes was a key part of Carlton’s tough midfield group.

Tayla Harris (10.4 disposals, 3.7 marks, 2.4 tackles, 2.6 inside 50s, 4.4 score involvements, 8 goals)

The spearhead of Carlton’s attack, Harris retuned another solid year from centre half-forward as one of four Blues to earn All Australian squad recognition. In addition to finishing as her side’s equal leading goalkicker, the athletic and aggressive 179cm forward also led the club for score involvements overall. Her work in bringing the ball to ground when unable to mark brought others into the game, and Harris looked as if she had a point to prove post Livingstone’s “useless” jibe.

THE RISING STARS:

Rd 1 – Lucy McEvoy (13 disposals, 1.9 marks, 4.1 tackles, 2.1 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 3 goals)
Rd 4 – Grace Egan (14.3 disposals, 2 marks, 4.6 tackles, 2.9 clearances, 1.1 inside 50s, 2 goals)
Rd 5 – Charlotte Wilson (10.8 disposals, 6 intercept possessions, 4.5 marks, 1.7 tackles, 2 rebound 50s)

Arguably the most fearsome aspect of Carlton’s squad this season was the performance of their Under-21 talents, with McEvoy, Egan, and Wilson joining Prespakis as young guns in the elite category. McEvoy’s debut was one to savour, and the youngster continued to show flashes of her best throughout a season where she seemed unfazed by the step-up in competition. ‘Greg’ Egan also became an instant hit, thrown into the engine room and quickly becoming an asset with her physicality and ability to find the ball. Last, but not least is Wilson, who improved out of sight this season, particularly after her Round 4 return to the side. A strong key defender who marks confidently, Wilson was often the Blues’ last line of defence and made it a hat-trick of Rising Star nominees in Round 5.

THE CROSS-CODER:

Chloe Dalton (14 disposals, 1.6 marks, 3.3 tackles, 2.4 clearances, 1 rebound 50, 2.7 inside 50s)

After impressing in her debut season last year with her ability to find the goals, Dalton made another significant step with her run-and-carry from midfield in 2020. The former Rugby Sevens player has transitioned seamlessly into life at Princes Park, improving each week and having a real impact on games. While she is still somewhat raw, Dalton’s rate of development has been exceptional thus far.

THE GOALSNEAK:

Georgia Gee (10.1 disposals, 1.1 marks, 3.6 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 3.1 score involvements, 8 goals)

Another Under-21 prospect who continues to excel at the highest level, Gee came up clutch for Carlton a number of times in 2020 – most notably in its semi final win against Brisbane where she booted three second half majors. That haul helped the 20-year-old finish equal with Harris as the Blues’ leading goalkicker, and the energy Gee brought to the side just when they needed it helped her earn All Australian squad honours.

VERDICT:

There is a lot to like about this Carlton side going forward, with its experienced foundation members aiding the development of some of the league’s most exciting young talents. The three-pronged tall attack up forward was exceptional, with the inside midfield grunt protecting a more-than-capable defensive unit. The flexibility of the side will hold it in good stead, with more finals victories surely again the goal going forward.