Geelong have gone a game clear atop the AFLW Conference B standings after hanging on for a scrappy five-point win over Carlton at GMHBA Stadium.

The Cats were held to just three points in the second half but they did just enough to down the Blues 2.7 (19) to 1.8 (14).

Carlton spearhead Tayla Harris had a dirty day, kicking 0.4 including three posters and missing several sitters.

Geelong full-forward Phoebe McWilliams clearly outshone the more-celebrated Harris, kicking the first goal of the game and marking strongly throughout the day.

Carlton midfielder Sarah Hosking made an inauspicious start to the match when she was reported in the opening minutes for making high front-on contact to Cats player Jordan Ivey.

McWilliams kicked the only goal of the first quarter, slotting home from 35m out after marking on the lead.

She missed a golden chance to double her goal tally in the second term, when she pushed her shot wide after another mark inside the 50m arc.

Harris’s only possession of the first half came when she ran into an open goal, only to see her shot slew to the left for a point.

The impressive Sophie van de Heuvel kicked the Cats’ second goal after winning a holding the ball decision against Chloe Dalton.

Richelle Cranston had the chance to further extend the Cats’ lead with a long-range set shot after the siren but she had to settle for a behind as the home side headed to the long break leading by 14 points.

The Blues had much the better of the third term but only had one goal to show for their efforts from Katie Loynes.

Harris missed two easy shots from close range.

The full-forward was only freed to play in the match after having a one-match ban for rough conduct downgraded to a reprimand earlier in the week.

Both teams spurned spurned several scoring chances in a goalless final term.

The Cats’ improved their win -loss record to 2-2 ahead of a trip to Brisbane next week.

The Blues slipped to 1-3.