Carlton have won an AFLW arm-wrestle with Sydney with a five-point victory keeping the Blues in touch with the top eight.
With three wins to their name at the halfway mark of the season, the Blues posted a 6.8 (44) to 6.3 (39) victory in the teams' first-ever AFLW meeting to close out a double-header at Ikon Park on Friday.
The Swans won in the stoppages with stars Laura Gardiner (one goal, 33 disposals, seven clearances) and Ally Morphett (27 hitouts, 25 disposals) but it was the Blues who found success where it really mattered on the scoreboard.
"I like winning, don't get me wrong, but those tight ones - they take a few years off your life," Blues coach Mathew Buck said.
"But proud of the team, they hung in. We needed to be brave in that last quarter.
"Win, lose or draw, it was probably more important how we played, than the result."
Dominating territory early with four inside 50s to none in the opening five minutes, Breann Moody kicked the first goal for the Blues.
The Swans then locked play in their forward half but were unable to break through an impenetrable Carlton defence led by Vaomua Laloifi and Irish debutant Dayna Finn.
With 30 seconds left in the first quarter, a quick handball from Cynthia Hamilton gave Rebecca Privitelli the opportunity to kick the first goal for the Swans.
Returning from a foot complaint, Montana Ham intercepted the ball in the Swans' defensive 50 and kick-started a chain that gave Privitelli her second major.
Young Blues Phoebe McWilliams, Mia Austin and Erone Fitzpatrick put an end to the visitor's party, slotting three goals in quick succession to put the Blues ahead by 12 points.
After an inaccurate handball from Keeley Sherar landed in the hands of Morphett, Bella Smith kicked off the second half with a goal as the Swans attempted to stay in the contest.
Privitelli brought scores level with her third major while Blues midfielder Amelia Velardo hobbled off the field with a rib injury sustained from a marking contest.
Three points separated the two sides by three quarter-time.
A goal by Mimi Hill have Carlton some breathing space despite Privitelli dragging her side back into the game with her fourth major.
"We did a lot right. It was just that last little piece of the puzzle, which is that contested side of it when a really experienced, well-drilled side just puts their foot down," Swans coach Scott Gowans said.
"You really do have to park and just remember we're a season-and-a-half in and we've improved a lot. It's just being patient."
Carlton (3-2), who are ninth on the ladder on percentage, will look for another win when they face off with the Western Bulldogs next round while Sydney (2-3) make their second trip to Alberton to meet Port Adelaide.
