AFLW Round 8 Review | Carlton v Gold Coast

Written by Helena Petrou

Carlton have walked away 60-point victors over the Gold Coast Suns to keep their slim finals hopes alive with one round remaining. An absolutely dominant performance by the Blues saw them break individual and team records. Carlton’s 87-27 victory over the Suns saw them kick their highest score as a club, as well as the highest ever score in AFLW. Inaugural Blue Darcy Vescio lit the game on fire, kicking a bag of goals 5 goals to make her the quickest AFLW player to reach 40 career goals. Vescio now also sits first on the AFLW goal kicking leader board for 2021 with 12 goals from 8 games. A solid team performance from the Blues saw players from all around the ground such as Harrington, Moody and McEvoy have great games. 

The Game at a Glance

First Quarter

A slow start to the game saw Gold Coast kick the first 3 goals of the game within eight minutes. The Blues were slow to the contest and often didn’t have enough players around the ball, whereas the Suns were playing with a desire to have the ball in their hands. Carlton’s lack of physicality in the first term saw them behind in every important statistic. With 5 minutes remaining in the term, a great team passage of play set up by Georgia Gee’s tireless running saw Darcy Vescio kick her first of the game. 

Second Quarter

Three minutes into the second term Darcy Vescio snapped on her left to become the equal all time AFLW leading goal kicker. The goal was yet again set up by Georgia Gee, who took a strong intercept mark to sway the momentum Carlton’s way. Some bad fumbles from Tayla Harris and Charlotte Hammans prevented Carlton’s forward momentum although it wasn’t long till Vescio kicked another major.  The Suns had their moments, with a great solo effort from youngster Lucy Single kicking a fantastic goal to put the suns in front by 3 points. A quick response out of the centre saw Blue Nat Plane snag a goal to give Carlton a slim lead heading into half time. 

Third Quarter

It was goal kicking galore for the Blues in the third, with Vescio yet again kicking off the scoring for the quarter. Lucy McEvoy followed with a spectacular running goal from 40m out. Fellow midfield accomplice Grace Egan had only 7 touches coming into the third, but a great second half saw her end with 19. Nicola Stevens, who had been quiet, took a courageous mark and kicked a goal to give Carlton 7 of the last 8 goals of the game. Brooke Walker’s first game of the season since recovering from a foot injury she sustained in the pre-season saw her return to form. Great body work one on one in the forward 50 saw Walker kick a goal, Carlton’s fourth for the quarter. The Blues weren’t done yet and with one-minute remaining Lauren Brazalle kicked a goal to add to her 5 score involvements, giving a 33-point lead to Carlton heading into the final term. The Blues didn’t concede a single point for the quarter, thanks to Harrington and Laloifi’s impressive rebound work down back. 

Fourth Quarter

What better way to begin the last quarter than with a hanger and goal from Vescio? The strong play marked the beginning of a siege on the Gold Coast defence, with Elise O’Dea kicking a goal just two minutes later. The Blues were playing a team centred style of play, always looking for the best opportunity at goal when attacking. A strong mark forward followed by her second goal, Plane had broken Carlton’s highest ever AFLW score with 7 minutes remaining. Incredible efforts from Carlton’s defenders saw any attack from Gold Coast shut down immediately, only conceding one point in the second half. A reward for her extraordinary ruck efforts on the day, Brean Moody kicked a goal with 40 seconds reaming to help Carlton achieve the highest score in the history of the AFLW competition.  

The Darcy Vesci-show! 

With 15 touches, 13 of them kicks, 6 marks and 5 goals, Vescio was easily the Best on Ground. Her 5 goal haul made her the first AFLW player to reach 40 career goals, as well as being the competitions current leading goal kicker for 2021. Vescio had the opportunity to kick more goals, although handed them off to the likes of Elise O’Dea doing the team thing. Speaking on her selflessness post-match, coach Daniel Harford stated, “She has no interest in being a record breaker, she wants to be a great team and premiership player… I think this has been her best season to date."

Vescio has been a barometer for Carlton this season, typically the one to kick start Carlton’s attack and bring the forward heat. She has been in All-Australian form so far and we look forward to what the remainder of the season brings for Darc. 

Moody’s Ruck dominance

Continuing to impress game after game, Brean Moody has now established herself as one of the competitions elite rucks. She battled it out against Lauren Bella who received a NAB rising star nomination in the previous round. Moody’s ability to lift when her team needs her service most, her long clearing kick and clever tap work makes her a threat to opposing teams. Winning the hit-out battle 22 to 13, her victory over Bella is likely to secure her a place in the All-Australian team.

Carlton’s dominant performance over the Gold Coast Suns leaves them with a mathematical chance of playing finals in 2021. The Blues now turn their attention to their upcoming game, where a victory of similar calibre will be needed when they face GWS away. A win in their last home and away game of the season is required to give themselves the best chance of making the top 6.