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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Should they get over the line, it would make for a remarkable maiden campaign under new coach Mathew Buck<\/em><\/strong>. Carlton last qualified for finals in the incomplete 2020 season, and made the 2019 AFLW Grand Final under Daniel Harford<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Midfielder Keeley Sherar<\/a> continued her breakout season with a team-high 27 disposals and eight tackles on Friday, while fellow young gun Keeley Skepper<\/a> has also had an outstanding campaign, and Daisy Walker<\/a> has now booted her first goal at senior level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Elsewhere, the midfield looks settled around mainstays Abbie McKay<\/a> and Mimi Hill<\/a>, while Breann Moody<\/a> has been unleashed up forward on the back of Jess Good<\/a>‘s work as a primary ruck. There’s even more positive news in that skipper Kerryn Peterson<\/a> is due back from injury, and knocks to McKay (ankle) and Vaomua Laloifi<\/a> (knee) don’t look too serious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n ROUND 7:<\/strong> ROUND 8:<\/strong> ROUND 9:<\/strong> ROUND 10:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\nTHE RUN HOME<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
vs. Collingwood | Sunday October 15 @ IKON Park<\/p>\n\n\n\n
vs. GWS | Saturday October 21 @ Henson Park<\/p>\n\n\n\n
vs. Essendon | Saturday October 28 @ Windy Hill<\/p>\n\n\n\n
vs. St Kilda | Date and time to be confirmed<\/p>\n\n\n\n