Windy Hill has hosted its first VFLW game of the season as Essendon claimed a commanding 53-point win over Carlton on Saturday.

The returns of captain Georgia Nanscawen and Ruby Svarc, who played the 2021 AFLW season with the Brisbane Lions, helped the Bombers return to the winners list with a 10.12 (72) to 3.1 (19) victory.

The Blues started quickly with the opening goal, but after some back and forth, the Bombers hit the board with Federica Frew converting from a set shot.

A strong contested mark from Simone Nalder turned momentum the Bombers’ way, resulting in Frew snapping her second goal.

Nanscawen, who returned to the side after suffering a calf injury against Hawthorn in round six, quickly resumed her role in the midfield with a best-on-ground performance, fighting hard to extract the ball from contests.

The Bombers continued to control the play in the second quarter and extended their lead with a goal from Natalie MacDonald.

Soon after, defender Tamsin Crook was awarded a 50-metre penalty and converted for her first goal as a Bomber.

The Blues fought hard to end the Bombers’ run of goals with their second major, but Frew quickly answered, snapping her third major with the Bombers regaining control.

It was a day for defenders kicking goals, with Kendra Heil floating forward to snap her first goal of the season, giving the Bombers a 33-point lead at half-time.

After the half-time break, the Blues’ spirit lifted and the Bombers had to work hard to keep possession of the ball.

Svarc’s speed on the wing helped the Bombers transition the ball from defence, but they struggled to capitalise on their forward entries.

After a goalless third term, the Blues opened the final quarter with intent, hitting the board in the opening minute, only for the Bombers to reply with Mia-Rae Clifford converting from a free-kick.

The goals kept coming for the Bombers through Svarc and Jessie Davies, but Lori Stepnell sealed the 53-point win for the Bombers with a late major.

Svarc, who returned to the side for the first time since 2019, was rapt with the standard of football the Bombers played and the club’s team-first attitude.

“The girls were pretty amazing today. We set up really well, held our structures and our forwards were amazing with their leads,” Svarc said.

“They all play for each other really well, so everyone plays their role and that’s how we got the win today.”

The Bombers’ forward line impressed the Brisbane Lions player, with Frew’s three-goal haul a standout.

“‘Fede’ (Federica) Frew, how good was she today? A couple of her marks were spectacular and she’s really strong on the body. But there’s also a lot of younger girls coming through as well, so it’s really great to see them out there,” Svarc said.

“Same as Mia (Clifford), I haven’t played with her before so to see her play was amazing.”

Saturday’s warm weather helped Svarc feel at home with the 27-year-old embracing the opportunity to use the VFLW season to work on personal goals ahead of the next AFLW season.

“I’ll just be working on the same goals I had up in Brisbane, so it’s amazing to get more game time to just work on those things,” Svarc said.

“I’m working on just being really clean with the ball and driving out of the contest using my speed.”

The Bombers will hope to carry their winning form into round 10 when they head down the highway to face Geelong at Deakin University Oval on Saturday.

ESSENDON 2.4 6.9 6.11 10.12 (72)
CARLTON 1.0 2.0 2.1 3.1 (19)

Goals: Frew 3, MacDonald, Crook, Heil, Clifford, Svarc, Davies, Stepnell

Best: Nanscawen, Hosking, Frew, Svarc, Davies, Nalder