What’s On | Elimination Final
Carlton v West Coast Eagles
Saturday, November 8 | 3:05pm (AEDT)
ikon Park, Carlton

The team has made history in the AFLW, and we need you to fill the stands with blue and gold at our first-ever NAB AFLW Finals appearance!

Be there when we take on Carlton at Ikon Park on Saturday, November 8 in a must win Elimination Final. Gates will open at 1.30pm.

Please note, AFLW members must purchase tickets for all finals series matches. Adult tickets are only $15, and juniors under 18 years are FREE!

Eagles fans attending the match can pick up a FREE scarf or beanie from outside Ikon Park. We’ll be set up near the main entry (Gate 6), and items will be available on a first-come, first-served basis – get in early and don't miss out!

Captain's Run

Due to venue requirements, our elimination final captain's run is closed to the public.

Getting to Ikon Park

We recommend using public transport when getting to Ikon Park – plan your journey here.

TRAIN

• Metro Trains operate services near Ikon Park via the Upfield train line
• Jewell Station is a 16-minute walk to Ikon Park
• Royal Park Station is a 15-minute walk to Ikon Park

TRAM

• Yarra Trams operate services to Ikon Park via line 19
• Take the tram to stop 16 (Walker Street/Royal Parade) and walk three minutes to Ikon Park

Alternatively, limited parking is available on the Northern Lawn at Princes Park; enter via Royal Parade from 12:30pm. There is a council fee associated with parking on the Northern Lawn.

Additional parking is available in surrounding streets, including free parking at Garton Street and Bowen Crescent. There is free parking available for three hours at Barkley Square, a 14-minute walk from Ikon Park.

Last time we met: Carlton 6.6 (42) defeated West Coast 3.4 (22), round 12, 2025

In a high-stakes clash to close out the regular season last Friday evening, West Coast fell to Carlton by 20 points in wet and windy conditions at Sullivan Logistics Stadium. Despite leading early in the final term, the Eagles couldn’t hold off a late surge from the Blues, who kicked four unanswered goals to seal the win. Ella Roberts starred with a game-high 27 disposals, while Charlotte Riggs and Lucia Painter hit the scoreboard. Fortunately for West Coast, Essendon’s upset win over Sydney later that weekend secured the Eagles a spot in the finals. Setting up a rematch with Carlton in Saturday’s elimination final.

What it means for the Eagles: This Saturday marks a historic moment for West Coast, as the club prepares to play in its first-ever AFLW finals match. After a hard-fought end to the regular season, the Eagles have earned their place in the top eight and now face a familiar opponent in Carlton for a spot in the preliminary final. A win would not only extend their finals journey but also solidify their rise as a genuine contender in the competition. It’s a chance to turn heartbreak into triumph, reward the belief of their fans, and take another bold step forward in the club’s AFLW evolution.

The stat: West Coast won the clearance battle in last week’s clash, recording 26 clearances to Carlton’s 24, including six centre clearances. Their ability to win the ball at the source will be key again in Saturday’s rematch.

Oppo in focus: Abbie McKay

Co-captain Abbie McKay has been influential since her debut in 2019. Her natural ball-winning ability with sharp decision-making under pressure make her a constant threat. McKay played a pivotal role in last week’s win over the Eagles, collecting 24 disposals and six clearances. Her ability to intercept and launch counterattacks will be a key weapon for the Blues in the elimination final. West Coast will need to be mindful of her positioning and apply forward pressure to limit her impact and disrupt Carlton’s ball movement.

It's a big week for: Belinda Smith

Saturday’s elimination final against Carlton will be a milestone moment for veteran defender Belinda Smith, who is set to play her 75th AFLW game, and her first-ever finals appearance. A foundation player for West Coast’s AFLW program, Smith has been a steady presence in the backline since joining the club in 2020. Known for her leadership, composure and ability to mentor younger teammates, Smith’s experience will be invaluable as the Eagles step onto the finals stage for the first time.

Big call: Lucia Painter will kick the match-winning goal in the final minutes, etching her name into club history.

The West Coast Eagles' maiden finals campaign has come to an end, falling to Carlton by 41 points at IKON Park on Saturday.

In wild and wet Melbourne weather, Carlton were able to apply dominant scoreboard pressure on their home turf, while the Eagles struggled to get on top of the Blues in the 9.6 (60) to 2.7 (19) loss.

For the Eagles, it was their young stars who stood up in their club's biggest game in its short history.

Ella Roberts battled hard all day, finishing with a game-high 30 touches, and a game-high 12 tackles, and also kicked the team’s first finials goal.

First-year Eagles Charlotte Riggs and Kayla Dalgleish both played their roles well in the wet, while defenders Charlie Thomas and Jess Rentsch were vital down back.

The game was the last for inaugural AFLW player Dana Hooker, who announced her retirement in round 12, bringing an end to an incredible 10-year career.

Carlton started well, keeping the Eagles scoreless in the first term, before Roberts was able to get West Coast on the scoreboard in the second quarter.

The Blues' young players lifted in the third quarter, piling on three goals, Sophie McKay booting two goals to go with her eight disposals in the third.

Carlton's Irish duo, Erone Fitzpatrick and Dayna Finn, looked right at home in the cold and wet conditions, providing run and carry as they sent the Blues into attack.

The two Irish recruits, who were both named in the All-Australian squad during the week, kicked two goals each, while Fitzpatrick had 23 disposals.

Though the Eagles will be disappointed that their season has come to an end, the young side has taken another step forward under coach Daisy Pearce. 

Pearce will no doubt be proud of her side's efforts in 2025, and even though they were down by 45 points at three-quarter time, the Eagles fought hard and outscored the Blues in the final term. 

Veteran Belinda Smith was the only injury for the day, hurting her hamstring in the first quarter, prematurely ending her 75th game.


CARLTON                2.3     2.4     8.6     9.6 (60)
WEST COAST          0.0     1.2     1.3     2.7 (19)

GOALS
Carlton: S.McKay 2, Fitzpatrick 2, Finn 2, Scholz, Bohanna, Austin
West Coast: Roberts, Painter

BEST 
Carlton: Fitzpatrick, S.McKay, Harrington, Guerin, Finn
West Coast: Roberts, Britton, Thomas, Painter, Swanson

INJURIES 
Carlton: Nil
West Coast: Smith (hamstring)

Reports: Nil

Crowd: 3,420 at Ikon Park