Semi Finals: Witness the Blues battle it out with the Lions in semi final on their home ground
The last of the 2020 NAB AFL Women’s Semi Finals closes out a fantastic weekend of footy on Sunday arvo at Carlton’s home ground of Ikon Park. Can the Blues continue their run of impressive form against the proud Lions? It’s all on the line for these incredible athletes as they battle for the chance to progress.
The footy is sure to be fierce between the Blues, who finished second in Conference B and the Lions, who finished third in Conference A.
Matches will be closed to the public and will be broadcast live on both the Seven Network and FOX SPORTS. You can also stream it for free on the AFLW Offical app or catch it on womens.afl.
Tune in on Sunday, March 22!
Report to star mars Blues' powerful semi-final win
Tayla Harris goes into the umpire's book for a sling tackle, which could have severe repercussions for Carlton
CARLTON'S convincing 29-point semi-final win over Brisbane was marred by the report of Tayla Harris and an injury to rising star Maddie Prespakis at IKON Park on Sunday afternoon.
Harris was reported for a sling tackle on Brisbane's Emily Bates in the third term after playing a crucial part in the 6.8 (44) to 2.3 (15) win, crashing packs all afternoon to open the game up for the small forwards.
00:21
The Lions dominated the game in the early stages, but it was Darcy Vescio who stepped up for the Blues with seven disposals and a goal in the second quarter, providing a spark to shift the momentum of the game.
05:20
Carlton speedster Georgia Gee registered just three disposals in the first half, but the forward came to life with two third-quarter goals to give Carlton a comfortable lead.
Blues defender Kerryn Harrington was the best player on the ground for most of the afternoon, but the 27-year-old gave away a silly kick which allowed Jesse Wardlaw to kick a goal and give the Lions some hope heading into the final quarter.
Kerryn Harrington gets a handball away. Picture: AFL Photos
Gee iced the game with her third goal in the final term, dashing any hopes the Lions had of a comeback.
00:29
Carlton midfielder Maddy Prespakis was electric early with eight disposals in the first term, but the young gun limped off with an ankle injury at the end of the third term and struggled to hit top speed when she returned in the fourth quarter.
Phantom touch? Maddy Prespakis might have been robbed of a goal in the third term after the umpires adjudicated her shot was touched off the boot. It looked to be the wrong call after multiple replays showed that the goal should have stood.
00:24
Gee whiz Georgia Gee simply does not miss. The electric small forward has taken her tally to eight goals in the 2020 NAB AFL Women's Competition, but she's yet to kick a behind. The third-year player equalled her career best with three goals, with the other hat trick coming in round three this year against the Bulldogs.
Georgia Gee rides home her shot for goal. Picture: AFL Photos
A tough cookie to crack Carlton's defence looked impenetrable at times, conceding just two goals for the whole match. Brisbane bombed it long and high to Jesse Wardlaw often, but with Dakota Davidson missing through injury, the Blues were able to quell the advances with ease. Coach Daniel Harford has found a line-up that trusts each other and maintains its structure at all costs.
Say what? "Every competition wants to have some closure and work out who was the best team in that particular year. This year might have to have the asterisk next to it," Brisbane coach Craig Starcevich said on whether we need a premier for the 2020 NAB AFL Women's Competition.
"We wouldn't have put her back out there if there was any risk with a player of her quality. She's fine, she'll be red hot whatever happens," Carlton coach Daniel Harford said of Maddy Prespakis' ankle injury.
Maddie Prespakis is helped from the ground. Picture: AFL Photos
