Ten seasons on from the inaugural AFLW game, Carlton has once again reigned supreme over Collingwood, recording a 24-point win to open the season.

It was a mature performance from the developing Carlton side, steadying after some early nerves to set up the 6.9 (45) to 3.3 (21) victory at Ikon Park in front of a crowd of 8,042.

Blues vice-captain Mimi Hill drove the victory, recording 18 disposals in the first half and 32 for the match.

Sabrina Frederick – an inaugural player in her own right – converted the first goal of the game from a fairly similar spot to where Jasmine Garner did 10 seasons ago.

It was a more composed Carlton which took to the field in the second term, running in waves and sending the ball into attack with more purpose.

Defender Poppy Scholz – the younger sister of Port Adelaide star Matilda – settled into her first AFLW game nicely, using the ball well and even kicking her first goal in the second term, after an undisciplined shove and 50m penalty from senior Pie Brit Bonnici.

It helped Carlton to a nine-point lead at the major break, with new recruit Tara Bohanna also kicking truly to secure her first major for her childhood club.

Both teams struggled at times to keep their structure in place forward of the footy, but it was a much-improved effort year-on-year by the teams that finished 18th and 14th last season.

It was just accuracy in front of goal that eluded the Blues, until the returning Erone Fitzpatrick completed a scintillating one-two at full speed to kick her second, with Lily Goss' quick snap taking it out to a four-goal margin at three-quarter time.

A fully fit Ruby Schleicher made a big difference to the Pies, particularly in the first half through the midfield, while Bonnici ran her heart out as always.

Darcy Vescio played a full game at half-back and showed some nice composure, while Breann Harrington (nee Moody) was a key conduit into attack.

Collingwood's Irish recruit Kellyann Hogan's debut game finished in the third term with a shoulder injury and arm in a sling. 

First pick, first pick, first goal
All eyes were on No.1 pick Ash Centra for her first game of AFLW. Playing off the bench, her first rotation onto the field – decked in long sleeves – was met with a big round of applause, although it took until the second term for her first disposal. Technically, Centra did give away a free kick before she touched the footy, but a flying contested mark and accurate set shot introduced the new Pie to the football world properly.

Generational handover
Carlton and Collingwood invited along the former players who took to the park for the first AFLW game, 10 seasons ago, and they graced the field before the first bounce. But after "Razor" Ray Chamberlain's opening whistle, it was time for the kids, the first iteration of the first fully national draft. Scholz looked as far from a debutant as you can get, Pies father-daughter Violet Patterson showed plenty of dash on the wing, and Carlton's own father-daughter Sophie McKay worked her way into the game beautifully in attack.

Up next
Collingwood hosts Greater Western Sydney at Victoria Park on Saturday August 23 from 1:05pm!

CARLTON                       1.1    4.4     6.7     6.9     (45)
COLLINGWOOD     2.0    3.1     3.1     3.3     (21)

GOALS
Carlton: Fitzpatrick 2, Austin, Bohanna, Scholz, Goss
Collingwood: Frederick, Porter, Centra 

INJURIES
Carlton: Nil
Collingwood: Hogan (shoulder)

Crowd: 8,042 at Ikon Park

Get your tickets to Collingwood's first home game of 2025 on Saturday August 23 at Victoria Park!