Carlton vs West Coast AFLW LIVE: Blues find goals despite heavy rain; Eagles gun returns after knee scare

The rain hasn’t dulled the Blues ability to attack as they worked it into attack and then fed All-Australian Erone Fitzpatrick who slammed home the goal.

The Blues fans loved that. Her teammates loved it more.

Blues 6, Eagles 0 with 13 mins to go in Q1.

UPDATED: These two sides won’t need any more inspiration for today’s match but I’m pretty inspired by the efforts of today’s national anthem singer Shannen Wick.

Despite the wind and rain, she still nailed Advance Australia Fair while in a ballgown and with a staff member holding an umbrella over her head.

She hit the notes pretty well too.

The game is minutes away.

Tara Bohanna of the Blues gives the thumbs up pregame.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

Oh dear.

Melbourne weather takes no prisoners and West Coast’s banner has unfortunately copped the brunt of the rain and torrential wind here at Ikon Park.

Fans take cover before the AFLW elimination final between Carlton and West Coast. Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

The bright yellow and blue banner has fallen apart before the team has a chance to run out. The fireworks proceed regardless, and the team runs out to celebrate their maiden finals berth.

Carlton doesn’t fair much better as an army of umbrella-clad supporters rush to hold the banner up, as Dua Lipa’s Training Season blares across the speakers.

The weather is awful, but that hasn’t stopped dedicated Blues supporters from coming out this afternoon. Most of the crowd is huddled up high in the stands and I spy a few Eagles’ fans as well.

Dana Hooker never typically screams at her television, but last Saturday was an exception.

The West Coast midfielder sat on the couch with her daughters, nails digging into her hands as she anxiously watched the AFLW match between Sydney and Essendon.

Dana Hooker runs out during the Round 12 match against Carlton.Credit: AFL Photos

The Eagles had lost to Carlton 24 hours earlier and needed the injury-hit Bombers to triumph against the Swans to sneak in for a maiden finals appearance.

Other Eagles players gathered at Amy Franklin’s home to watch the game, but Hooker opted to stay at home with her family.

“I’m usually very calm, but it was such a close contest, I was hanging on very possession,” Hooker said. “Zara, my 10-month-old was sitting on the floor, jumping every time I screamed.”

Hooker’s excitement had an extra edge – the 34-year-old midfielder recently announced her retirement, after playing 10 seasons in AFLW across two clubs.

Click here to read the story.

An opening goal on debut, a rising star nomination and a long-awaited AFLW elimination final. Is this how Carlton rookie Poppy Scholz envisaged her year?

“Not at all,” Scholz laughed. “I was talking to Dad before round one, and I wasn’t sure I was even going to play.”

Carlton rookie Poppy Scholz.Credit: Simon Schluter

“I definitely did not think this is how my season was going to go at all,” she continued. “I thought I’d play the whole year in the back line. Didn’t think I was gonna kick a goal. At Glenelg, I only kicked one goal in my three years playing there.

“So I definitely didn’t think it was going to come in round one. It’s been unreal.”

It’s been a sensational year for Scholz and even better season for Carlton, who will head into finals this weekend after a five-year drought.

Click here to read the story.

The ground should be very wet today as rain has been falling on and off since late in last night’s qualifying final which North Melbourne won over Hawthorn.

I was covering that game as well, and it was raining forcefully while the post-match press conferences were going on.

Goals and clean possessions will be at a premium today. There has been a bit of wind around today but we will see if it is strong enough to penetrate the stands at Ikon Park.

G’day everyone and welcome to a soggy, chilly Ikon Park for today’s AFLW elimination final between Carlton and West Coast.

It promises to be a compelling game. I’m Roy Ward, and I’ll be tapping the keys on our live blog while my esteemed colleague Hannah Kennelly will provide her insights and reporting.

We’ll have updates from the game and then coverage from the post-game press conferences.

First bounce is set for 3.05pm with Seven and Fox Footy showing the game live.

Enjoy the game.