3 minute read

Fremantle's top-four AFLW hopes have been dealt a massive blow after they suffered an upset four-point home loss to Carlton.

Keeley Sherar has kicked a goal with less than a minute remaining to lift Carlton to a shock four-point AFLW victory over Fremantle at Fremantle Oval.

The Blues trailed by 10 points at three-quarter time of Saturday's match, and Fremantle were still clinging to a three-point lead with a minute remaining.

But amidst a mad scramble in Carlton's forward line, the ball dribbled out to Sherar, who scooped it up and threw it on her boot for the match-winner with 50 seconds remaining.

The 5.4 (34) to 4.6 (30) win marked Carlton's third of the season, keeping their slim finals hopes alive.

Fremantle (5-3) now face an uphill battle to snare a top-four berth following consecutive home defeats.

Carlton's Breann Moody, in her 75-game milestone match, revealed she wasn't sure whether her team had actually beaten Fremantle or not.

"I was looking at the scoreboard and I couldn't tell we were in front. But so glad we could get it done," Moody told the Seven Network.

"It feels unreal. So much belief in this group. We knew it was going to be a contested game.

"It went right down to the wire. A win while we're travelling is always special."

The win came at a cost, with Carlton's Lily Goss carried off in the third quarter and taken to hospital after suffering a badly rolled right ankle.

Stand-in Fremantle captain Hayley Miller was a late withdrawal with calf tightness.

Fremantle ruck Mim Strom tallied 47 hitouts in the heavily congested game, but Carlton won the clearances 33-27, including 7-3 at centre clearances.

Madeleine Guerin (24 disposals, six clearances, 454m gained) led the way for Carlton, with Sherar (17 disposals, six clearances, one goal) also crucial.

Gabrielle Newton racked up 23 disposals and six clearances for the Dockers.

Fremantle entered the match having scored just two goals in their seven first quarters this year.

Ebony Antonio doubled that tally with two early goals as Fremantle registered nine of the first 10 inside 50s with the aid of the breeze.

But a 50m penalty against Ash Brazill for overstepping the mark gifted Carlton's Lila Keck a goal from point-blank range.

The moment seemed to energise the Blues, with Keeley Skepper kicking two late goals to give Carlton a shock five-point lead at quarter time.

The second term featured only a single behind - to Carlton's Taylor Ortlepp in the final minute of the half - as Fremantle's defence held firm against the breeze.

The Dockers made their move in the third with two unanswered goals, including a beautiful 40m goal on the run from Brazill.

But the Blues dug deep to get over the line in the last, with goals to Moody and Sherar proving to be just enough.