The Southern Saints have narrowly dipped out on two consecutive wins to open the 2022 VFLW Season, falling short in their final-quarter comeback against Carlton at Ikon Park on Saturday afternoon.        

Dale Robinson’s side trailed by 13 points at the final charge, before a Tayla Kearns major brought them back within striking distance with 12 minutes left on the clock.

The Saints struggled to maintain momentum however, with a sturdy counterattack from the Blues seeing them run out eight-point winners 3.7 (25) to 5.3 (33).

Despite losing Olivia Flannigan to an ankle injury in the opening term, the Saints remained in distance of their opposition through their speed and pressure.      

Hannah Stuart (15 disposals) and Melanie Bertuna (12 disposals, nine tackles) impressed through the centre, while skipper Deanna Jolliffe (18 disposals, 11 tackles) and Winnie Laing (15 disposals, five marks) battled hard in the defensive end.     

But Carlton – led by ruck Jorja Borg (35 hit-outs) and Lily Goss (17 disposals, nine clearances) – dominated the run of play, setting up behind stoppages well to make the most of its opportunities up front.   

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A brilliant shot on goal from Amelia Peck eventually broke the Blues’ early run to kick off what was an arm-wrestle of a second quarter, putting the Saints behind by two points at half-time.         

Nicki Wallace (six tackles) Grace Buchan (14 disposals) applied solid pressure across the morning, particularly across half-back, while Kearns (two goals) had a strong impact on the contest alongside Kayla Ripari (five tackles).   

A dangerous Blues outfit continued to kick away, with back-to-back goals from Poppy Schaap and Amelia Kingbeil leaving the Saints to chase a seven-point lead after a goalless third term.       

The Saints had their opportunities, winning the inside-50s 10-7 for the term, but wayward kicking throughout the day (3.7) proved costly as the Blues’ tidy scoreline (5.3) won out.   

The Southern Saints will face the Western Bulldogs at Victoria University Whitten Oval on Sunday 27 February, with the match beginning at 9:45am.

SOUTHERN SAINTS   0.4      2.4    2.6     3.7 (25)
CARLTON          1.0      3.0     4.1     5.3 (33)

GOALS
Southern Saints: Kearns 2, Peck
Carlton: Schaap 2, Hammans 2, Klingbeil

BEST
Southern Saints: Laing, Wallace, Buchan, Stuart, Jolliffe, Bertuna, Peck
Carlton: Borg, Klingbeil, Goss, Murphy, Schaap, Honybun, Lee