There was no lockout at Ikon Park this year but a shutdown happened on the field in a tight encounter with just five goals kicked in the opening game of the AFLW season.

This second coming of AFLW began in almost identical fashion as last year when Collingwood's Jasmine Garner kicked the opening goal for the second year running under summer skies at Ikon Park.

It was not the only similarity on the night either, with Carlton winning again, hanging on by eight points after neither team kicked a goal in the second half.

The lack of scoring dampened the thrills to some extent but the tightness of the game kept the crowd enthralled. When the Carlton chant found voice deep into the last quarter as the ball sat inside Collingwood's forward line in front of the Blues' social club, it was clear the supporters cared.