Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Forward Nell Morris-Dalton has shown Carlton selectors that they made a worthwhile decision to salvage her AFLW career, as she dazzled in a 27-point victory over Adelaide.
Morris-Dalton booted three goals for the Blues (2-0) at Ikon Park to help last year’s preliminary finalists remain undefeated with a 7.8 (50) to 3.5 (23) win.
The performance comes after she was delisted by Collingwood at the end of last season and missed the initial cut for Carlton’s top-flight team after moving to their VFLW side.
But the 25-year-old was handed a lifeline when midfielder Maddy Guerin ruptured her ACL and on Sunday the injury replacement showed coach Mathew Buck that she deserves to be a mainstay.
Morris-Dalton also tallied 18 disposals, and alongside midfielders Erone Fitzpatrick (30 disposals) and Dayna Finn (28 disposals) the trio were instrumental in helping the Blues keep their seven-year winning streak against the Crows intact.
Carlton started hot, and their efforts were rewarded when midfielder Claudia Whitford booted the opening goal from 45 metres.
The Blues held their opponents to just one major at halftime, but Adelaide flicked a switch in the third quarter to close the deficit to 13 points at the final break.
Carlton forward Darcy Vescio slotted a crucial goal early in the fourth quarter, before Morris-Dalton scored her third major to ice the victory.
Adelaide midfielders Ebony Marinoff (30 disposals, four clearances) and Madison Newman (30 disposals, one goal) were busy, but it wasn’t enough as the Crows (0-2) remained winless.
At Alberton Oval, Hawthorn shrugged off a sluggish start by storming home to claim a 5.3 (33) to 10.5 (65) win over Port Adelaide.
After finishing in the top-four at the end of the home-and-away season last year, the Hawks were on the precipice of starting their season 0-2 as they trailed by 19 points late in the second period.
But forward Laura Stone notched a double and Aine McDonagh slotted her own major to spark the visitors into life.
Hawthorn then kicked six of the next seven goals to complete the comeback, leaving Port – who conceded just two majors last round – utterly stunned.
Ruck Lucy Wales was typically inspirational for the Hawks (1-1), registering 23 disposals, 19 hitouts and a goal, while Poppy Stockwell and McDonagh posted three majors each.
Midfielder Maria Moloney (20 disposals, 14 tackles) and young ruck Matilda Scholz (24 disposals, 35 hitouts) were standouts for the Power (1-1).
