Collingwood has opened the AFLW season with a solid 18-point win over arch rival Carlton at Princes Park.
Key points:
- The Magpies had five individual goal kickers
- Ruby Schleicher posted 20 disposals for the Magpies
- Mimi Hill impressed for the Blues with 26 disposals
The Magpies triumphed 5.6 (36) to 3.0 (18) in front of 4,128 spectators.
Jordyn Allen, Tarni Brown, Eloise Chaston, Imogen Evans and Jordan Membrey — who was making her comeback from an ACL injury — kicked the Magpies’ goals.
The Blues had endured a difficult off-season after losing Madison Prespakis and Georgia Gee to Essendon, but they stuck with the more-fancied Magpies in the first quarter on Thursday night.
However, Collingwood’s stars came to the fore after quarter-time, taking command to run out comfortable winners against the Blues.
The Magpies experienced a scare early in the last quarter when Jaimee Lambert went down clutching her left ankle.
Lambert initially appeared in significant pain but was able to jog off the ground in her 50th AFLW match.
The 29-year-old came back on the ground only a few minutes later, much to the relief of Magpies coach Steve Symonds.
The Magpies are already without co-captain Bri Davey, who injured her knee in the club’s opening match of last season.
Blues youngster Daisy Walker was assessed for concussion after being on the end of a fierce tackle from Collingwood debutant Evans.
Walker appeared to hit the ground during the tackle and Evans is expected to face scrutiny from the match review officer.
Carlton was served best by Mimi Hill, who looks set to take over as Prespakis as the Blues’ most prolific ball winner.
Hill collected 26 disposals, despite playing the match out with a huge bandage on her left thigh.
All-Australian defender Ruby Schleicher made an immediate impact in her new role in the midfield, picking up 20 disposals for the Magpies.
Collingwood will host expansion team the Sydney Swans in round two, while the Blues will take on another newcomer Essendon on September 4.
Hawthorn and Port Adelaide have joined the Bombers and Swans as the new teams in the expanded 18-team competition this season.
AAP/ABC
