Darcy Vescio kicking the winning goal in her 100th AFLW game to steer Carlton to a five-point win over Hawthorn and into a preliminary final was pure poetry, says coach Mathew Buck.
Hawthorn reeled off the first three goals of Saturday night's Ikon Park semi-final.
But Carlton fought back, with AFLW icon Vescio (two goals) slotting the winner to deliver a 6.7 (43) to 6.2 (38) win and a final-four clash with Melbourne.
"I was having some flashbacks to my junior footy and thinking 'you've done this so many times, just trust your kick, go back' - and I was happy to see it through," Vescio, Carlton's first AFLW 100-gamer, told Fox Footy.
A delighted Buck added: "It's poetry, isn't it?
"So it's a great story, and Darcy Vescio has a great story from game one to this game.
"And to be able to take your moment and do that with all that experience that 100 games gives you is really special. And that'll be a moment Darcy will cherish, and our team will cherish.
"And I just said, 'geez, I love being along for the ride with you. It's so fun to be there' ... so written in the stars, I'm happy with that."
Star Hawk Aine McDonagh could have kicked the winner with two minutes left but missed everything from close range as Hawthorn made a third-straight semi-final exit.
"100 per cent (it's tough to take), especially when you're a competitor like what she is and have a will to win like what she does," coach Daniel Webster said.
"But she's been amazing for us all year, and it's hard in those scenarios for the player because you want to finish. But again, I could look at 100 examples of basic skill areas that we get wrong throughout the game.
"Her work rate, her fight to win - it's unparalleled. We'll put our arms around her, and you always take lessons from it."
Carlton face Melbourne, who beat them by 34 in round 6, next Saturday at Ikon Park.
Defender Ciara Fitzgerald (shin) was a late withdrawal but Buck hoped she and Amelia Velardo (ankle) would be fit.
Hawthorn were without Eliza West (left knee) for the final minutes and Webster said the star midfielder would have scans.
West had 25 disposals, 10 tackles and 14 contested possessions in the first half, before finishing with 31 touches.
Carlton skipper Abbie McKay had 29 disposals and nine clearances.
Hawk Jac Dupuy kicked two goals and had an entertaining duel with Carlton's Harriet Cordner (six marks, 11 intercepts.)
During the first quarter, Hawthorn had 10 clearances to Carlton's one and stormed to a game-high 19-point lead.
Carlton cut the half-time deficit to four, then in the third quarter, Vescio put the Blues in front for the first time.
Mackenzie Eardley twice restored Hawthorn's lead in the final term before Vescio took a strong contested mark then snatched victory.
