Carlton have weathered wet and wild conditions to leap into the AFLW’s top four with a 12-point win over Hawthorn.
On a day when profiting from key moments defined the Princes Park clash, four minutes of first-quarter magic set the Blues up for a 5.6 (36) to 3.6 (24) victory on Thursday.
Carlton fired three scintillating goals in unrelenting rain while keeping the Hawks scoreless until midway through the second term.
But the visitors suddenly found themselves firmly in the contest when forward Poppy Stockwell and midfielder Kaitlyn Ashmore kicked back-to-back third-quarter majors to level the scores.
Carlton slotted two goals either side of three-quarter time to put themselves in the box seat for victory.
Midfielder Abbie McKay (33 disposals, six clearances) was typically inspirational for Carlton while Irish star Erone Fitzpatrick posted 26 disposals and two goals to help last season’s preliminary finalists (6-2) go third on the ladder.
“[It was] great Irish weather, so the Irish are used to this,” Fitzpatrick told Channel 7.
“It was just the kind of game that you just need to keep getting the ball forward, whether it’s a handball, a kick on the ground, or just a surge kick.”
For the Hawks (4-4), the loss keeps them out of the congested top eight with four games remaining as they struggled to capitalise on their 52 inside 50s.
Regardless, star ruck Lucy Wales shone with 20 disposals and nine hitouts, while midfielder Eliza West registered 22 disposals.
Hawthorn had the first seven inside-50s of the match, but it was Carlton who drew first blood when Sophie McKay scooped up a loose ball and kicked a goal.
Moments later, Blues midfielder Dayna Finn capitalised on a rogue handball from defender Lavinia Cox before Fitzpatrick added another major.
Trailing 19-0 at the first break, the Hawks were finally rewarded when Stockwell kicked a goal to close the deficit to 12 points at halftime.
Hawthorn upped the ante again, giving the Blues barely any attacking ball as they scored two majors before Fitzpatrick grabbed her second of the evening to re-establish the home team’s advantage.
With the game in the balance, Carlton’s Keeley Sherar poked the ball through the centre sticks and the home team emerged victorious.
AAP
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