The West Coast Eagles have been left devastated, potentially now bundled out of the top eight, after their tough 3.4 (22) to 6.6 (42) loss to Carlton on Friday night at Sullivan Logistics Stadium.
In wet and windy conditions, West Coast held strong for a lot of the match, but Carlton stepped up in the final term and played with more poise than their young opponents to take the highly sort-after four points.
The Eagles, who needed one win from its final two games to guarantee a maiden finals campaign, must now hope for an upset Essendon win against Sydney on Saturday night.
The importance of West Coast star Ella Roberts was clear from the opening minutes as she racked up a handful of early possessions, finishing with game-high 27 touches, and quickly established herself as one of the dominant players on the ground.
Influential youngster Charlotte Riggs was also involved early and set up the only goal of the first quarter to Lauren Wakfer as heavy rain started to fall, making conditions difficult for two teams that were keen to move the ball quickly.
Carlton got on top through the second term, with Harriet Cordner strong in defence and kickstarting the Blues ball-movement. Their ability to link up through the middle created several chances in an open forward line, with Tara Bohanna able to capitalise.
Riggs hit back for West Coast with a late goal against the flow of play, giving the Eagles a five-point lead at the main break.
That was quickly erased in the opening minute of the third when Keeley Sherar kicked a crafty goal for the Blues in traffic, setting up a pulsating quarter that saw the pressure go to another level in the slippery conditions.
West Coast built momentum by getting on top in the contest but continued to come unstuck when kicking inside 50, with scores level at the final change.
West Coast led by six points after Lucia Painter kicked a brilliant long-range goal to open the fourth quarter, but the Blues responded to kick the next four as Abbie McKay, Bohanna and Erone Fitzpatrick sealed the result.
Star Darcy Vescio put the finishing touches on the win with a long-range torpedo goal after the siren, sparking wild celebrations from the visitors.
Abbie McKay (23 disposals and six clearances) and Mimi Hill (23) excelled for the Blues, with forward Bohanna a constant threat in the second half with two goals.
WEST COAST 1.0 2.3 2.4 3.4 (22)
CARLTON 0.1 1.3 2.4 6.6 (42)
GOALS
West Coast: Riggs, Painter, L.Wakfer
Carlton: Bohana 2, Fitzpatrick, McKay, Sherar, Vescio
BEST
West Coast: Roberts, Lewis, Thomas, Cleaver, Britton
Carlton: Bohanna, Harrington, McKay, Hill, Sherar, Fitzpatrick
INJURIES
West Coast: Gibson (illness)
Carlton: Nil
LATE CHANGES
West Coast: None
Carlton: Amelia Velardo (hamstring awareness) replaced in selected side by Síofra O'Connell
Crowd: 2,365 at Sullivan Logistics Stadium
