Season over for Blues as Dockers steal win with three goals in three minutes

Three goals in the space of as many minutes ended Carlton’s AFLW season as Fremantle stole a thrilling victory at Ikon Park on Sunday.

Needing to win to keep their season alive, the Blues burst from the blocks and still led by 14 points at the 11-minute mark of the final quarter only for the Dockers to come from the clouds.

Jasmin Stewart celebrates a Dockers goal in their come-from-behind victory.Credit:Getty Images

A pair of goals from Sabreena Duffy – the second a long-range effort that rolled through a vacant goal square – was followed by the match-winner from Gemma Houghton, who got on the end of a neat Tiah Haynes pass. Star foward Houghton had been quiet until that point but kicked truly to put her side in front for the first time inside the final four minutes.

The Dockers held on for a four-point win, spelling the end of the Blues’ finals chances with two rounds to play in the AFLW season, a hugely disappointing result for a side that made the grand final two years ago and was one of the four sides left when the 2020 season was prematurely ended by the coronavirus pandemic.

Daniel Harford’s women had started like a team acutely aware of the ramifications of a loss. The Dockers had lost just once since the start of last season but they were monstered early by the Blues in somewhat chilly but clear conditions.

The quarter-time numbers were stark: 35 contested possessions to 16, 16 inside 50s to two, and a 21-point lead to the Blues, who had been led by the stellar inside work of Madison Prespakis, the hard work and smarts of Nicola Stevens and the brilliance of Darcy Vescio, who snapped a sublime banana goal after marking on the lead in the pocket.

Like the quality side they are, Freo hit back in the second term, reducing the margin to just eight points at the long break, and creeping to within a goal midway through the third term. Carlton weathered the storm though, surging forward where Serena Gibbs kicked an important goal.

Serena Gibbs was congratulated by her teammates after kicking an important goal, but the Blues could not get the win.Credit:Getty Images

The Dockers persisted, with Jasmin Stewart kicking her second after Blues co-captain Kerryn Harrington ran too far from a kick-in. Carlton looked to have the answers, establishing a 15-point final quarter lead, but Fremantle would not be denied.

Blues key foward Tayla Harris will demand match review officer scrutiny for a third quarter high hit on Docker Ebony Antonio, but it will matter little in the grand scheme of the season.

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