Umpires: James, Nicholls, Chamberlain

Goalkickers: Betts 3, Fevola, Koutoufides, Waite, Simpson, Bryan 2, Camporeale, Fisher, Wiggins, French, Chambers, Morrell 1

Reports: Nil

Injuries: Nil

Game Review

This late season win was built on the back of a number of strong performances from our younger players, particularly Adam Bentick- who would win the Rising Star nomination, as well as the 3 Brownlow votes, with 34 possessions. A multi-prong forward line always threatened and with a groin injury continuing to impede spearhead Fevola- who still managed 2 goals- 12 individual goalkickers, led by Eddie Betts with 3 spectacular goals, enabled the Blues to came away with the points. Jarrad Waite and Kade Simpson continued to give Carlton fans hope for the future with two goals each. Nick Stevens had 31 disposals, while Anthony Koutoufides (25), Scott Camporeale (24) and Heath Scotland (23) were also prominent. Cory McGrath was given the job of quietening Buckley.

The Blues started the better, doubling the Magpies' score by quarter time, though with the help of far greater accuracy. Collingwood fought back in the second, kicking 4 unanswered goals, to get within a point, before the Blues responded with their only 2 goals of the quarter, to go to the main break 13 points up. They extended this margin to 56 points, with a further 7 unanswered goals in the third term, until 2 late goals by the Pies brought the 3/4 time margin back to 7 goals. They outscored the Blues in the final quarter 5 goals to 3, to end up going down by 35 points.

Collingwood by that stage of the season did have a number of injuries and seemed more focussed on 2006. Perhaps a truer test would come in Round 21.

Team

-*Late change Walker for Longmuir

Milestones

Rising Star Nomination: Adam Bentick

Brownlow Votes

3: Adam Bentick (CARL)
2: Nick Stevens (CARL)
1: Lance Whitnall (CARL)

Best & Fairest Votes

Adam Bentick (45), Anthony Koutoufides, Nick Stevens (40), Scott Camporeale, Lance Whitnall (37), Eddie Betts, Kade Simpson (33), Cory McGrath, Heath Scotland (32), Barnaby French (18), Andrew Carrazzo (7), Chris Bryan (5)