Brisbane has outclassed Carlton to keep its 2018 NAB AFL Women's campaign alive in a ferocious clash at Ikon Park.

Teenager Sophie Conway kicked two final-quarter goals to secure a 22-point victory for the visitors and end Carlton’s stint at the top of the ladder.

Carlton had rallied through Darcy Vescio to draw within a goal early in the last term but former Blue Nat Exon took the fixture away from the home side when she landed her first AFLW major.

The game opened up in the second term after Brisbane's running game had been stunted by a gritty Carlton defence in the opening stanza.

And while the Lions dominated the inside 50s all night, it was not until the third quarter that they finally unlocked the Blues.

Brisbane’s small forwards got on top of the Carlton defence, with Kate McCarthy often providing the impetus.

Leah Kaslar kept former Lion Tayla Harris quiet, aided by the lack of clean ball to Carlton's key forwards throughout the night.

“We were more composed in the second half which allowed us to find a way through,” said Brisbane coach Craig Starcevich.

“When you keep bombing it into an outnumbered zone, the players will get frustrated but if you move the ball quickly enough, you can find a way through."

Carlton assistant coach Nick Rutley conceded his side struggled all night against last year's runners-up.

“I don’t think we had control of the game at any point,” he said. “The absence of (injured skipper) Bri Davey had a big impact, but we failed to execute.

"(Senior coach) Damien (Keeping) will be back to work next week so I will go back to my position as forwards coach and the day job.”

What's next?

Carlton play Western Bulldogs in AFLW’s inaugural Pride Game at the VU Whitten Oval to promote inclusion and show support for the LGBTI community, from 7.05pm AEDT on Friday. Brisbane hosts Fremantle on Saturday from 3.35pm AEST. 

CARLTON                   0.0     0.2     1.3     2.6 (18)
BRISBANE                 0.1     1.2     3.2     6.4 (40)            

Goals

Carlton: Gay, Vescio
Brisbane: Ashmore, Wuetschner, Gibson, Conway 2, Exon

Best

Carlton:  Moody, Gay, Harrington, J Hosking, Loynes, Audley
Brisbane: McCarthy, Wuetschner, Frederick-Traub, Stanton, Exon, Conway

Injuries 


Carlton:  Gee, Brazzale
Brisbane: Hildebrand

Reports: Nil
Umpires: Leighton Rowe, Cameron Dore, Nic McGinness
Official crowd: 6,200