The Blues, who endured a difficult off-season after losing superstar Madison Prespakis and Georgia Gee to Essendon, stuck with the more-fancied Magpies in the first quarter.
But Collingwood’s stars came to the fore after quarter-time, grinding the Blues into submission to win 5.6 (36) to 3.0 (18) in front of 4128 fans on Thursday night.
The Magpies suffered a scare early in the last quarter when star Jaimee Lambert went down clutching her left ankle.
Lambert initially appeared devastated and in significant pain but was able to jog off the ground in her 50th AFLW game.
The 29-year-old came back on the ground only a few minutes later, much to the relief of Magpies coach Steve Symonds.
Collingwood are already without superstar co-captain Bri Davey, who injured her knee in the Magpies’ opening game of last season.
Blues youngster Daisy Walker was assessed for concussion after being on the end of a fierce tackle from Collingwood debutant Imogen Evans.
Walker appeared to hit the ground during the tackle and Evans is sure to face scrutiny from the match review officer.
Carlton were served best by Mimi Hill, who looks set to take over as Prespakis as the Blues’ most prolific ball-winner.
Despite playing the game out with a huge bandage on her left thigh, Hill collected 26 disposals to be Carlton’s best.
All-Australian defender Ruby Schleicher made an immediate impact in her new role in the midfield, picking up 20 possessions for Collingwood.
The Magpies have five individual goal-kickers, with Jordan Membrey making a successful comeback from an ACL injury by slotting Collingwood’s first of the game.
Collingwood will host expansion team the Sydney Swans in round two, while the Blues will take on another newcomer Essendon on September 4.
© AAP
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