The Blues secured a dominant 41-point elimination final victory over the Eagles in wet and wild conditions at Ikon Park on Saturday afternoon, with Carlton forward Mia Austin providing an emotional moment.
Austin scored a goal in the third term and pointed skyward in a tearful tribute to her late cousin, Ben Austin.
Speaking post-match, Austin dedicated her performance to Ben, who died last week after being struck by a cricket ball during a training session.
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Mia Austin, cousin of the young cricketer Ben Austin who died in a training accident, points to the sky in tribute after her goal. Fox Footy
“Early last week, my little cousin Ben, he passed away, unfortunately in a cricket incident,” she told Fox Footy.
“My family is here, my uncle is here, my cousins are here today, so to honour him.
“I know if he were here, he would absolutely love it. So, a little tribute to him.”
All-Australian squad member Erone Fitzpatrick delivered the first blow for the Blues, after Austin found her on the outside for the finish.
Early drama struck as the ball entered the Eagles’ forward 50, as young gun Lucia Painter went down in a marking contest.
The round one Rising Star nominee immediately clutched her left knee and appeared in distress.
After an assessment by trainers, Painter got to her feet and was able to run off, but received further attention on the bench. She later returned to the field.
Forward Tara Bohanna slotted the Blues’ second goal from a set shot, though she was unable to add another late after the quarter-time siren.
After Charlotte Riggs kicked a set shot into the mark, Ella Roberts gathered the loose ball and slotted West Coast’s first-ever AFLW finals goal.
Kayley Kavanagh and Ella Roberts of the Eagles celebrate during the 2025 AFLW first elimination final match. Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images
Yasmin Duursma was able to get to her feet after Roxanne Roux gave away a free kick for diving at the knees.
After keeping the Eagles scoreless in the first quarter, the Blues nearly faced the same fate in the second. However, a late behind from Breann Harrington ensured Carlton avoided its first scoreless quarter of the year.
At the main break, the Blues held an eight-point advantage.
Sophie McKay started the third quarter with a bang, sparking a quick strike from Carlton. Dayna Finn immediately capitalised, making it two goals from three entries to open the second half.
McKay and Fitzpatrick each added their second goal as Carlton blasted four majors in a 10-minute surge.
As the Blues ran away with the match, Poppy Scholz attempted to find a teammate inside 50 but instead found the middle of the big sticks. Her kick sailed over the pack and bounced through for an unintended goal.
Mia Austin, Erone Fitzpatrick, and Sophie McKay of the Blues celebrate a goal during the 2025 AFLW first elimination final against the West Coast Eagles. Michael Willson via AFL Photos/ Getty Images
Austin completed the breakaway term with a goal, then poignantly pointed to the sky in tribute to her cousin.
She was immediately mobbed by her teammates in celebration and emerged looking emotional.
Finn sealed her second major of the contest in the third term.
While Painter managed to peg a goal back, it was ultimately futile as the dominant Blues cruised to a 9.6 (60) to 2.7 (19) victory.
Carlton will now set its sights on Hawthorn next week after the Hawks succumbed to the Roos on Friday night.