Down by more than 10 goals during the third quarter, the last thing the GIANTS wanted during their trip to face Carlton at Ikon Park was a lightning delay. But that's what they got.
Midway through the third term, with the GIANTS yet to kick a goal, both teams were sent to their rooms for the storm to pass the precinct.
Carlton, however, did the work early, and consolidated its hopes of returning to finals with the 12.9 (81) to 5.5 (35) victory. It was the side's second-highest score in its AFLW history.
But the break proved valuable for the GIANTS, coming out with more dash and attack than the Blues as Eilish O'Dowd (19 disposals, 360 metres gained) got busy with her run and repeat involvements, helping the visitors get some reward for effort on the scoreboard.
The GIANTS kicked four straight goals upon the resumption of play, asking questions of Carlton's defensive structures for the first time all afternoon.
The late surge was soured by a right ankle injury to star midfielder Zarlie Goldsworthy.
Despite losing captain Abbie McKay before the bounce due to a quad concern, Carlton got the ball rolling with early territory dominance, and just maintained control from there.
Lily Goss, Maddy Guerin, and Dayna Finn became the first-choice midfield, offering neat balance between the physical contest, and breakaway power, which allowed the home side to dominate stoppage. Carlton ultimately won the clearance count 27-20, going a long way toward it controlling the game.
The Blues owned territory early, keeping the GIANTS to just three inside 50s for the first half.
The structure Tara Bohanna offered the Blues on her return from a foot injury could not be overstated, adding organisation inside 50 and hitting the scoreboard in the process. Bohanna finished with three goals, while first-year duo Sophie McKay (two goals, 19 disposals) and Poppy Scholz (three goals, five marks) also starred on the line.
In an attempt to quell Carlton's scoring power, the GIANTS moved Isabel Huntington into defence to offer another tall, one-on-one option, while Georgia Garnett moved to become a spare close to goal.
Following the lightning delay, Jess Doyle – originally drafted as a forward but largely a defender this year – returned to her home in attack and gave GIANTS fans something to cheer for, with two goals in the quarter, and ultimately finishing with three.
Doyle spent much of the second quarter on the bench getting a potential groin injury assessed, but she returned to the field in the third, while young GIANTS Kaitlyn Srhoj may draw the attention of the Match Review Officer for a dangerous tackle on Finn in the third term, whereby the Blue's head slammed into the deck.
CARLTON 2.5 6.7 10.8 12.9 (81)
GIANTS 0.0 0.2 2.3 5.5 (35)
GOALS
Carlton: Scholz 3, Bohanna 3, McKay 2, Harrington, Goss, Fitzpatrick, Finn
GIANTS: Doyle 3, Srhoj, Howley
BEST
Carlton: Finn, McKay, Bohanna, Scholz, Goss, Cordner
GIANTS: O'Dowd, Doyle, Martin, Beeson, Mowbray
INJURIES
Carlton: Nil
GIANTS: Goldsworthy (right ankle)
LATE CHANGES
Carlton: Abbie McKay (quad tightness) replaced in selected side by Brooke Vickers
GIANTS: Nil
Reports: Nil
Crowd: TBC at Ikon Park
