Collingwood's 19-point AFLW win over Carlton at Princes Park on Sunday has been overshadowed by a suspected ACL injury to superstar Magpies midfielder Bri Davey.
With less than four minutes remaining in the contest, and the result well in Collingwood's keeping, the reigning AFLW best-and-fairest's right knee appeared to buckle underneath her while attempting a tackle.
The concern is it was a non-contact injury, and the tears streaming down Davey's face as she left the field with the help of trainers told an ominous story.
"A little bit of mixed emotions for everyone at the moment," Collingwood coach Stephen Symonds said post-match.
"Fingers crossed it's positive news for her, but at this stage, it's still a little bit too early to say.
Aided by superior forward efficiency, and some lamentable Carlton discipline, the Magpies ran out 6.8.44 to 3.7.25 victors.
Three of those six Collingwood goals came in a clump either side of halftime as a result of 50-metre penalties, an unforgivable fact given the final score.
In the end, the Magpies had 14 scoring shots from 26 inside 50s (53.8 per cent) compared to the Blues' 10 from 24 (41.7 per cent). At halftime, Collingwood had nine from 10.
While Carlton attempted to get the ball forward at all costs, Collingwood were content playing possession footy and it proved an effective strategy as they finished with far more disposals (217-152) and marks (57-27).
Sarah Rowe was outstanding for Collingwood with 21 disposals and a goal, as was Jaimee Lambert who had 22 touches (11 contested) and seven clearances.
Abbie McKay put in a good performance for Carlton with 13 touches (nine contested), four clearances and a goal, while Madison Prespakis gathered 16 possessions (10 contested).
The result was further soured for Carlton with Grace Egan suffering a suspected back injury after a heavy collision with Ruby Schleicher in the second quarter. She took no further part in the game.
Collingwood composed themselves after the early onslaught and after kicking five behinds in a row, finally hit the front in the second term.
Three goals in a row from Rowe, Schleicher and Alison Downie (on the siren), the last two courtesy of 50-metre penalties, helped the Magpies grab a commanding 16-point lead at halftime.
The Blues rediscovered their spark in the third term and majors from debutant Courtney Jones and McKay got them back into the contest, but yet another goal conceded from a 50-metre penalty, this time to Collingwood's Aishling Sheridan, ensured the Pies a nine-point buffer at three-quarter time.
And when Collingwood's Jordyn Allen kicked a sensational set-shot goal from the boundary early in the final term, after Carlton first-gamer Paige Trudgeon kicked across goal and out of bounds on the full, the result was sealed.
Australian Associated Press
