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Crowds flood in and Blues take the honours

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By late in the first quarter, security had stopped letting people into Princes Park.

Full to capacity, the old Carlton stadium heaved with about 24,500 supporters at the first AFLW match, watching two new teams playing in the colours of the Blues and Pies.

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Fans crowd Princes Park for AFLW

Crowds fill Princes Park to maximum capacity for the historic first game of the AFLW competition. (RAW VISION)

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan apologised for the lockout, saying the decision had been made to ensure the safety and security of fans.

"We were a little overwhelmed by the turnout tonight," he said.

A good problem for the AFL to have, although frustrating for more than 1000 fans who missed out on entry, some of whom complained that a big screen had not been set up for them to watch the match outside.

Public transport providers, too, seemed to have underestimated the public enthusiasm for the match.

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There were tram delays along Elizabeth Street and Royal Parade and those that did run were crowded.

But inside the ground, the atmosphere was electric.

Dynamic Carlton marquee player Darcy Vescio was the star of the night, booting four goals to help the home-town team to a healthy 35-point win.

By day a graphic designer at the Blues, Vescio was a class above the rest, showing off her silky skills and ability to find the goals.

After the match, Vescio wore a wide smile and said the crowd had been so loud the players had barely been able to hear each other.

Blues captain Lauren Arnell will hold the honour of AFLW's first winning captain.

"It's a great day for women's footy, and AFL in general," she said.

Defender Brianna Davey was force in the back half for the Blues, ending the game with 26 disposals.

For the Pies, headline player Moana Hope had a relatively quiet night, unable to lift a Collingwood team that was beaten all over the ground.

Magpie forward Jasmine Garner kicked the first goal of the competition and her team's only major score of the night.

The women played shortened quarters, a controversial decision by the AFL, but it ensured the game moved along at a fast pace.

There could barely have been a more perfect evening for the historic game.

Golden sunlight bathed supporters as they walked through Princes Park.

Some were die-hard fans of these grand old clubs, dressed in their colours, but there were also members of other clubs, and people who simply cared  about sport, or opportunities for women.

In the lead-up to the first ball-up, the crowd cheered it all – every announcement, both teams, the playing of the national anthem.

By the time play got under way, many fans remained standing, unable to get a seat or not yet ready to sit down.

"Collingwood men and women, standing side by side for 125 years," the Collingwood banner read.

Fans lingered after the match on a memorable night, as the players spread out across the ground thanking them and signing autographs.