Sunday, March 11: Carlton v Melbourne, AFLW, Ikon Park, 4.35pm

First quarter: Melbourne 6.3 (39) to Carlton 0.1 (1)

Melbourne produced a stunning opening term, booting six goals to zip.

The Blues managed just one behind and at quarter-time, Melbourne led by 38 points.  

Elise O’Dea got the ball rolling, and had a phenomenal first term, booting three goals and winning 11 disposals by the first break, while Tegan Cunningham was also dangerous with a couple of goals and six disposals.

Incredibly, Melbourne finished with 73 possessions to 20 by quarter-time.

Jas Grierson, who brilliantly set-up O’Dea’s third goal with a beautiful pass, chipped in with one, as Kate Hore kicked truly after the siren.

Second quarter: Melbourne 7.5 (47) to Carlton 2.1 (13)

After producing the highest score kicked in an AFLW quarter, Melbourne managed just one goal in the second quarter.

Again, it was Cunningham, who bobbed up, notching up her third by half-time.

The Blues finally opened their account and although they posted the first two for the term, Melbourne still led by 34 points at the long change

Tayla Harris and Darcy Vescio were the goalkickers for Carlton.

And although O’Dea only had one touch in the second term, she still had the most on the ground with 12 touches entering the second half.

Third quarter: Melbourne 7.8 (50) to Carlton 2.2 (14)

It was a much quieter second half. Just four behinds were registered in the third term – three by the Demons and one by the Blues.

And entering the final quarter, Melbourne led by 36 points.

Although the red and blue was well and truly in command, it suffered a blow, when star Mel Hickey left the field with what appeared to be a serious knee injury.

She left in the arms of the club’s medicos and reappeared at the final huddle with ice heavily bandaged around her knee.

It remains to be seen how serious the injury is, but she is set for scans post-match.

Final quarter: Melbourne 8.9 (57) d Carlton 3.4 (22)

After a goalless third term, Carlton landed the first of the last via Georgia Gee.

But it mattered little in the overall result, as the margin was too much for the Blues to claw back.

And when Hore booted her second for the match – Melbourne’s only major in the last quarter – the Demons won by 35 points.

On top of Hickey’s injury, Aliesha Newman also hobbled from the field in the final term. 

O’Dea and Shelley Scott finished with a game-high 19 disposals each, while Daisy Pearce and Lauren Pearce had 17 touches apiece. For the Blues, Katherine Gillespie-Jones had 12 possessions to be her team's highest ball-winner.