Listen Live
FIVE goals by Darcy Vescio has sparked Carlton's record-breaking 60-point thrashing of Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Friday and kept its slim finals hopes alive.
The Blues registered the AFLW's biggest-ever total in the 13.9 (87) to 4.3 (27) club-record win after Vescio kicked a personal best 5.1 to become the first AFLW player to boot 40 career goals.
SUNS v BLUES Full match coverage and stats
The previous biggest AFLW total was 12.14 (86) by the Western Bulldogs in 2018.
Vescio became just the third player in AFLW history to kick more than four goals in a match, leapfrogging Adelaide's Erin Phillips (39) to top the all-time goalkickers list on 44 majors.
Her impressive bag also took her to the top of the 2021 AFLW goal count with 14.
She nailed her fifth goal early in the fourth term after converting a spectacular mark.
However, she sabotaged her chance of threatening Bulldogs star Brooke Lochland's all-time AFLW record of seven majors in a match by selflessly dishing off to teammates in the second half.
"She has no interest in being a record breaker, she wants to be a great team and premiership player," Carlton AFLW coach Daniel Harford said.
"I think this has been her best season to date."
Carlton began the game in eighth spot after a four-point last round loss to Fremantle that seemed to sum up their frustrating season.
But their percentage boosting victory in their maiden game against Gold Coast, and first in Queensland since 2017, has ensured the Blues remain a mathematical chance to make the top six and play finals footy with one game remaining.
Carlton (4-4 record) has won four of its past six games, while the Suns slumped to a 0-8 record despite a promising start on Friday.
Gold Coast kicked the first three goals of the game to jump to a 19-7 lead at the opening interval.
But Vescio came alive, kicking three straight to give Carlton a 28-26 half-time lead.
The visitors led 59-26 at the final break, running away with it as the Suns registered a solitary behind in the second half.
Suns coach David Lake could still find positives, namely Lucy Single's solo second-quarter goal that gave the hosts a brief 25-22 lead.
"She couldn't do that eight weeks ago ... they are things that are hard not to get excited about," he said.
For the Blues, Natalie Plane kicked two goals while Grace Egan had 20 touches.
Alison Drennan had one goal and 19 disposals for the Suns.
GOLD COAST 3.1 4.2 4.2 4.3 (27)
CARLTON 1.1 4.4 9.5 13.9 (87)
GOALS
Gold Coast: Virgo, Levi, Drennan, Single
Carlton: Vescio 5, Plane 2, McEvoy, Stevens, Walker, Brazzale, O'Dea, Moody
BEST
Gold Coast: Drennan, Ahrens, Howarth, Surman, Watson
Carlton: Vescio, Moody, Harrington, Brazzale, McEvoy
INJURIES
Gold Coast: Nil
Carlton: Nil
Reports: Nil
Did you head to the footy over the weekend? Tell us your thoughts! Take the survey now
