Darcy Vescio celebrates a goal with teammates during the semi-final between Carlton and Hawthorn at Ikon Park on November 14, 2026. Picture: Getty Images

A MILESTONE game they’ll never forget.

And who better for it to happen to? In game 100, face of the competition Darcy Vescio has put Carlton on their back, kicking a vital goal to win a pulsating semi-final over Hawthorn on Saturday night.

BLUES v HAWKS Full match coverage and stats

Some 4,701 fans at Ikon Park were privy to yet another close final for the season, as the Blues won by five points in a seesawing final term to reah their second preliminary final in a row.

The 6.7 (43) to 6.2 (38) win was soured by a late injury to Amelia Velardo who valiantly stayed on the field in the final minutes. The defender fell to her knees at the final siren.

Similarly, a midfield masterclass by acting Hawthorn captain Eliza West (31 disposals with 17 contested and 11 tackles) was dampened when she went down to the rooms in the final term with a left knee concern. 

Blues captain Abbie McKay (28 disposals, nine clearances, four tackles) shook off a shaky start to lead her side to victory and Harriet Cordner (11 intercepts, 335 metres gained) grew into the game after a difficult first term.

The Hawks flew out of the blocks with an overwhelmingly dominant first term, neutralising Carlton by leading clearances 12-2 and tackles 33-18 and capitalising with three goals.

Carlton was forced to rely on opportunistic forays forward, managing to camp in its forward 50 for the final minutes of the quarter. A free kick and goal to Tara Bohanna, back for her first game since round six, momentarily relieved the pressure on the Blues, particularly after a long wait for a major in their qualifying final last week.

Hawthorn midfielder Mikayla Williamson was helped from the field by trainers in tears in the first term with a right ankle issue before returning in the second term and running out the match.

Jacqui Dupuy opened proceedings in the second term with a huge second goal, lining up from over 40m out, before a stalemate between the two sides emerged.

Carlton was able to cut the half-time deficit to just four points after some ill-discipline by Hawthorn. A high contact free kick awarded to Lila Keck produced an incredible banana on a difficult angle to get the home crowd on its feet, before Lily Goss won a 50m penalty after Casey Sherriff stepped over her mark following a juggled mark to take her to the goalline.

The Blues midfield lifted in the third term, and were duly given space to get their kick-mark game going before Vescio gave them the lead for the first time.

Their defenders camped just outside the Carlton forward 50, repeatedly repelling Hawthorn’s entries again and again after a relatively quiet first half from interceptor Cordner.

A frenetic final term saw Hawthorn score its first goal since the opening moments of the second term, with Mackenzie Eardley booting two.

Sophie McKay snapped over the shoulder before Irishwoman Dayna Finn found Vescio with a pinpoint kick to the chest, and they converted for the final goal.

A quarter to forget – but there’s always three more
Irishwoman Siofra O’Connell had a tough opening term. The defender gave away a front-on contact free kick and then a 50m penalty to take Aine McDonagh to the goalsquare before giving up a holding-the-ball free kick to Mikaylah Antony who also converted. However, it’s a reminder that it’s a game of four quarters, growing into her game and playing her role in Carlton’s defence.

Ikon Park blues continue
Saturday evening also marked the continuation of an unwanted statistic for Hawthorn. The Hawks are yet to win a match at Ikon Park from seven attempts since their entry into the competition in season seven, 2022. In particular, the ground has now been the location of five finals losses, including two straight sets exits, bringing extra pain.

Up next
While it marks the end of Hawthorn’s season, Carlton will return to Ikon Park to face Melbourne in the second part of a double-header preliminary final on Saturday at 4.05pm AEDT.

CARLTON                    1.2       3.3       4.6     6.7 (43)
HAWTHORN               3.1       4.1       4.2     6.2 (38)

GOALS
Carlton: Vescio 2, Bohanna, Keck, Goss, S. McKay
Hawthorn: Dupuy 2, Eardley 2, McDonagh, Antony

BEST 
Carlton: Cordner, A. McKay, Vescio, Hill, Fitzpatrick
Hawthorn: West, Wales, Dupuy, Coyne

INJURIES
Carlton: Velardo (ankle)
Hawthorn: Williamson (ankle), West (left knee)

LATE CHANGES 
Carlton: Ciara Fitzgerald (shin) replaced in selected side by Gab Pound 
Hawthorn: Nil

Reports: Nil

Crowd: 4,701 at Ikon Park

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