Eagles ROCKED! First-ever finals match one to forget

Eagles ROCKED! First-Ever Finals Match One to Forget

West Coast's seven-season wait for an AFLW finals breakthrough ended harshly in a devastating 10-minute Carlton surge, closing their season in the elimination final.

Carlton's Dominant Second Half Turnaround

The Blues exploded with four goals within 10 minutes at the start of the second half and scored six for the term, turning an eight-point halftime deficit into a commanding 45-point victory. Carlton won 9.6 (60) to 2.7 (19) in challenging wet and windy conditions at Ikon Park.

Game-Changing Moments

Carlton gained field position through five consecutive soccers early in the third quarter before Sophie McKay scored the first goal of the half.
McKay added another goal and assisted one more, finishing with eight possessions in a pivotal performance.
Carlton's clean ball handling and scoring precision clearly set them apart from West Coast.

Notable Performances and Impact

The loss marked the end of an era as it concluded the distinguished career of West Coast star Dana Hooker, who led the club through challenging times and helped nurture the young squad facing their first harsh finals experience.

"Even in the first term it was clear that the Blues had more class as they got the ball into space easier and seized their half chances."

Mia Austin broke free from a tackle by Zoe Wakfer and assisted Erone Fitzpatrick, who converted the game's opening goal.

Match Summary

Final score: Carlton 9.6 (60) defeated West Coast 2.7 (19)
Conditions were wet, windy, and wintry
Carlton dominated the second half with relentless pressure and skill

Author's Summary: Carlton’s decisive second-half surge at Ikon Park ended West Coast's season and the career of Dana Hooker, highlighting the clear gap in finals experience and class.

The West Australian — 2025-11-08