Blues start AFLW season with 26-point win over Saints
Carlton has held off a St Kilda fightback to claim the opening win of the new AFLW season by 26 points in an entertaining game that made a case for more double header fixtures.
In a thrilling opening match of the 2026 AFLW season, Carlton defeated St Kilda by 26 points. Carlton took an early lead and extended the margin as they led by 31 points at a certain point. St Kilda attempted a comeback, but Carlton managed to seal the victory with late goals. Despite injuries to key players like Sophie McKay, Keeley Sherar, and Lauren Bella, Carlton dominated the game with their midfield and clever execution.
The Saints put up a fight, with standout performances from Tyanna Smith and Georgia Patrikios, but Carlton's relentless running power and tactical play secured the win. The game took place at Docklands Stadium, with the attendance reaching over 20,000 fans. Carlton will next take on Adelaide, while St Kilda faces Geelong.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.