CARLTON went on a goal rampage at IKON Park on Grand Final eve.

After two weeks on the wrong side of the result, the Blues returned to winning ways in convincing fashion, running away with a 55-point victory over Richmond on Friday.

BLUES v TIGERS Full match coverage and stats

Carlton finished 11.10 (76) to 3.3 (21), with the Tigers managing just one behind after half-time as they were completely shut out of the contest. 

From the opening minutes, the Blues took control and gave the visitors little opportunity to build sustained pressure.

Erone Fitzpatrick was at the heart of Carlton's attack, with the 2023 Irish recruit producing an impressive performance with three goals, 16 disposals, 10 kicks and five tackles.

Fitzpatrick was the only player on the ground to finish with three goals and emerged as one of Carlton's most damaging players.

She had plenty of support, with Nell Morris-Dalton kicking two goals from 14 disposals, while Mimi Hill, Tayla McMillan, Sophie McKay and Keeley Sherar were also among the Blues to find the scoreboard.

Hill was another major influence around the ground, finishing with 26 disposals (13 kicks, 13 handballs) and six tackles, while Abbie McKay also accumulated 27 disposals. 

It was also a memorable afternoon for debutant Tayla McMillan. The lifelong Carlton supporter kicked a goal and finished with 13 disposals, six marks and five tackles in her first AFLW appearance. 

For Richmond, Olivia Wolmarans provided one of the few bright spots up forward, kicking two of the Tigers' three goals in the first half as Richmond struggled to find other avenues to goal.

Already without star midfielder Monique Conti due to an Achilles injury, Richmond's problems worsened when Baia Pugh was ruled out with a collarbone injury, while forward Aoibhin Cleary was sidelined with an ankle injury during the first half.

Richmond midfielders Ellie McKenzie (26 disposals, 19 handballs) and Isabel Bacon (18 disposals, 11 handballs) provided plenty of effort around the ball.

Tigers searching for answers forward
Richmond struggled to turn its opportunities into scoreboard impact, finishing with just 3.3 for the afternoon. Olivia Wolmarans provided the main threat with two goals, while Paige Scott kicked the Tigers’ only other major. Despite players such as Ellie McKenzie and Isabel Bacon continuing to find the ball, Richmond could not convert its possession into goals, failing to kick a major after half-time and adding just one behind as Carlton pulled further away. 

A debut to remember for McMillan
Lifelong Carlton supporter Tayla McMillan had a debut to remember, kicking her first AFLW goal as the Blues returned to the winners’ list.  McMillan had plenty of friends and family in the stands to witness her debut, making the occasion even more special. After the game, the Blues coach was full of praise for the youngster, saying the coaching group had been excited by what they had seen from her despite a lower-leg injury delaying the start of her season. "We've loved Tayla since the moment she stepped in. She had a really great pre-season, but unfortunately a lower-leg injury kept her out of the first few games of the year," the coach said. "She's a really good footballer. She never wastes possession, and she's tough inside the contest."

Up next
Carlton will look to build on the result when it hosts Hawthorn at IKON Park on Thursday night, while Richmond will return to the same venue the following night to take on Geelong.

Carlton       5.3    8.4    9.5   11.10 (76)
Richmond   1.1    3.2    3.3    3.3 (21)

GOALS
Carlton: Fitzpatrick 3, Morris-Dalton 2, S.McKay, Sherar, McMillan, Hill, A.McKay, Poppy Scholz
Richmond: Wolmarans 2, Scott

BEST
Carlton: Fitzpatrick, Finn, Hill
Richmond: Wolmarans, McKenzie, Graham  

INJURIES
Carlton: Nil
Richmond: Pugh (Collarbone), Cleary (ankle)

Reports: Nil

Crowd: TBC AT IKON Park