Goalkickers: Andrew Walker 5, Eddie Betts 3, Marc Murphy, Jeffrey Garlett, David Ellard 2, Jordan Russell, Shaun Hampson, Lachlan Henderson, Zach Tuohy, Andrew Carrazzo

Reports: Nil

Umpires: H. Kennedy, D. Margetts, B. Ryan

Injuries: Nil

Ladder: 3rd

Game Review

The Brisbane Lions were the Blues’ first opponent in a series of three Sunday afternoon fixtures at Etihad Stadium during the month of June. Despite Brisbane’s form being on the improve since the return of leader Jonathon Brown Carlton were red hot favourites with the bookies and rightly so. Two major milestones for the Blues on the day were the 100th game for Bryce Gibbs and the long awaited return of Matthew Kreuzer.

Injuries to Jarrad Waite and Setanta O’hAilpin meant at least two of the chasing pack of contenders in the VFL would get the chance to show their wares. In the wash-up Dennis Armfield’s omission meant three new faces appeared. The biggest inclusion was Kreuzer, returning for his first game in almost a year since injuring his knee. Also in for his first hit-out of 2011 was Paul Bower, back after a frustrating run with injury. Lachlan Henderson was the other new face in the side after regaining some much needed touch in the VFL.

With the roof of the stadium wide open and the sun streaming in you’d be hard pressed to find a better way to spend a Sunday arvo, particularly after the Blues kicked the first couple, through the metamorphosised Andrew Walker, and eased away to an 11 point lead. Lachie Henderson was marking everything that came near him and covering plenty of ground whilst in the process of presenting for his midfielders. Carlton was dominating all over the field, pressing hard and forcing several turnovers and appeared to be doing things a little bit too easily at times, though the scoreboard didn’t quite mirror that domination. An indication of just how the well the Blues were travelling was Shaun Hampson’s sky scraping leap resulting in a spectacular mark in his outstretched hands. The Lions got their first midway through the term, but David Ellard responded soon after with a clinical set shot from just inside 50. Eddie Betts conjured the Blues fourth for the quarter with a special little something out of nothing and by the break the Blues held a 13 point lead which probably should have been more with gettable shots missed by Judd, Henderson and Hampson.

The Blues continued to dominate during the second quarter with Andrew Carrazzo bending one through nicely from a tight angle on the run to get the ball rolling. Carlton’s strength was its midfield domination due to some wonderful efforts from Kade Simpson, Marc Murphy and Chris Judd all seemingly clearing at will. Walker’s deadly accuracy continued with his third a beautiful set shot from just outside 50 before Jordan Russell and the sneaky Jeff Garlett kicked goals either side of Brisbane’s solitary major for the term. Michael Jamison was leading the defensive unit beautifully, reading the play superbly and running off Brown whenever opportunity knocked. Jamison was ably assisted by the classy looking second gamer Zach Tuohy getting his first full run after making his debut as the substitute. His fluent kicking looking oh so natural for someone late to the game. The lead had extended to 33 points by the main break and it looked like a case of how far Carlton?

How far Carlton indeed. With five consecutive goals to start the half the Blues snuffed out any thoughts of a Brisbane revival as the lead ballooned out to 61 points. Goals to Henderson, Ellard, Betts, Walker and Garlett left no doubt about the result while Mitch Robinson continued his stellar form from last week throwing himself around recklessly and setting a magnificent example for his teammates. Brisbane managed a late goal, somewhat against the flow, before Betts rounded out the quarter with his third after the three quarter time siren had sounded. Sub Paul Bower replaced Michael Jamison at 3rd quarter time.

The final quarter was something of a let down as the Blues eased their collective foot off the gas. Brisbane got a fast start with the first three goals, perhaps coinciding with the timing of Jamison’s substitution, before the response came. Hampson just happened to be in the right place at the right time as Simpson’s long bombed bounced into his arms in the unguarded goal square. Walker then took flight for the most spectacular of uncontested marks, as all those around him appeared planted to the turf like statues. His clinical finish brought up his fifth straight for the game and eleventh straight from the past fortnight - a veritable dead-eye dick. One of the biggest cheers for the day was reserved for Zach Tuohy when he bombed through a ripper from well outside 50 for his first goal in the AFL. Murphy chimed in with a couple of late ones to round out a great game for him personally and a very comfortable victory collectively for the team.

Team

Milestones

100 Games: Bryce Gibbs
Youngest to hit the century: By making it to 100 games, Gibbs will also displace Marc Murphy as the third youngest Blue in history to play 100 games
First Goal: Zach Tuohy
Interesting Fact: With this win, Brett Ratten's AFL coaching Record is now at 50% for the first time.

Brownlow Votes

3. Heath Scotland, Carlton
2. Kade Simpson, Carlton
1. Mitch Robinson, Carlton

Best & Fairest Votes

Kade Simpson 38, Marc Murphy 37, Andrew Walker 36, Mitch Robinson 28, Michael Jamison 27, Eddie Betts 25, Bryce Gibbs 20, David Ellard 16, Heath Scotland 12, Andrew Carrazzo 11, Lachie Henderson 6, Zach Tuohy 6, Chris Judd 4

Ladder