Star rookie Sophie McKay’s scintillating third-quarter burst has powered Carlton to a commanding 41-point AFLW elimination final win over West Coast.
In wet and cold conditions at Princes Park on Saturday, the Blues led for the duration to prevail 9.6 (60) to 2.7 (19) in their first finals appearance since 2020.
Leading by just seven points at half-time, Carlton slammed through four goals in the first 10 minutes of the third term to stun the Eagles, who were in the club’s first AFLW final.
McKay, the younger sister of Carlton captain Abbie and the daughter of club great Andrew, booted two of the third-quarter goals to inject serious energy into the Blues’ team.
A contender for the AFLW Rising Star, the 19-year-old celebrated in style after slotting her important goals.
Fellow Blues young gun Poppy Scholz got in on the act, booting Carlton’s fifth goal of the third quarter.
Mia Austin topped off a perfect term, kicking Carlton’s sixth goal after the three-quarter-time siren.
The 21-year-old was mobbed by teammates after the goal and became emotional.
Austin has been dealing with the pain of losing her young cousin Ben, who tragically died after being struck by a ball at his local cricket club last week.
She didn’t travel with Carlton to Perth when the Blues ended the home-and-away season last Friday night with a win over the Eagles.
Irishwoman Erone Fitzpatrick got Carlton going, producing a classy finish on the run, and went to the main break as the game’s leading disposal winner with 14.
West Coast failed to score in the first quarter, but hit back hard in the second term, mainly thanks to young superstar Ella Roberts.
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The midfielder pounced on a loose ball, effortlessly snapping through the Eagles’ first goal.
But it was all Carlton from there as Dayna Finn and Fitzpatrick joined Sophie McKay in being a multiple goal-kicker.
Lucia Painter, who appeared to have badly hurt her knee in the first quarter, kicked West Coast’s second goal of the match during the last quarter.
West Coast farewelled dual All-Australian Dana Hooker, who retires from the AFLW after 67 games.
The Blues will meet injury-hit Hawthorn next week in a semi-final.
After going goal-less in their qualifying final against rampaging North Melbourne on Friday night, the Hawks will need to recover while dealing with a host of injuries to key players.
AAP
