CARLTON beat Collingwood for the first time in more than five years in a hard-fought contest at Victoria Park on Sunday afternoon.

It is the first time the Blues have beaten the Pies in the NAB AFLW competition since 2019 or 2066 days ago, winning by four points, 5.2 (32) to 4.4 (28) in front of a home crowd of 2,800 people.

It was a close game with several lead changes, particularly last season when the Magpies came back from 15 points down to regain the lead six minutes into the quarter.

But a goal from winger Dayna Finn put the Blues back in front and victory out of reach for the Pies, with Carlton limping beyond the four-point line.

Carlton, who came into play after a 10-day break, came out with the energy and intensity that was missing in their loss to the Western Bulldogs the previous week.

In the first half alone, the Blues matched the number of shots inside 50 they had for the entire game against the Bulldogs and converted their set shots with forwards Amelia Velardo, Breann Moody and Mia Austin all hitting the scoreboard.

The Magpies, on the other hand, struggled to advance, with their only goal of the first half coming from Jordyn Allen, who was awarded a goal-line goal after a 50-yard penalty.

Keeley Sherar (24 disposals, 10 contested possessions) continues to improve and she was rewarded for her efforts when she kicked an open goal for the first half.

Despite Sherar’s goal, the Magpies lifted after the main break and eventually scored their first since five minutes into the first quarter with a goal for Imogen Barnett keeping her team in the game.

The Pies scored three times in a row when Mikala Cann and Lauren Butler scored a goal each to start the final season.

Butler took a tight angle on the goal line in an NAB AFLW Goal of the Year candidate that also gave the Magpies the lead for the first time since the 17th minute of the first quarter.

With the advantage now in favor of the Magpies, Carlton realized it was now or never and it was an unlikely hero in Finn who had saved the day.

Finn found himself free in Carlton’s forward line and the Irishwoman truly kicked, giving her the first goal of her career and Carlton regained the lead.

Carlton managed to hold on for the final minutes of the match, securing a fourth victory of the season.

To be continued
Collingwood and Carlton play their final matches of the season next Saturday at Ikon Park. With finals out of the picture, these two teams have one last hit in Week 10. Collingwood play at Narrm at 1:05 p.m. AEDT, followed by Carlton v Essendon at 7:15 p.m. AEDT.

COLLINGWOOD 1.1 1.3 2.4 4.4 (28)
CARLTON 2.0 3.0 4.1 5.2 (32)

GOALS
Collingwood: Cann, Butler, Barnett, Allen
Carlton: Velardo, Sherar, B. Moody, Finn, Austin

INJURIES
Collingwood: None
Carlton: None

Reports: None

Crowd: 2,800 at Victoria Park