Goalkickers: E. Betts 4, Z. Tuohy, A. Collins, D. Armfield, B. Gibbs, M. Kreuzer, K. Simpson & C. Judd 1.

Umpires: S. McBurney, B. Rosebury, S. Wenn

Ladder: TBD

Game Review

Six days after their heavily-criticised capitulation to Port Adelaide, the Navy Blues arrived at Etihad Stadium for this vital Friday night clash against reigning premiers Geelong with no illusions about what was required. A season that had started full of promise and optimism was in danger of turning into a train wreck, and only a victory could halt the slide.

On selection night, the welcome inclusion of Matthew Kreuzer, Lachie Henderson and Nick Duigan added height and class to the team. Heath Scotland couldn’t be considered because of a calf injury, while Paul Bower and Ed Curnow were omitted. Chris Yarran was designated as the substitute, and Carlton’s prospects improved when Geelong full-forward James Podsiadly was a late withdrawal.

Blues captain Chris Judd won the toss, and as the teams sorted themselves out under the closed roof, Carlton’s game plan was revealed. Henderson joined Kreuzer and Shaun Hampson in attack to stretch the Cats’ defence, Bryce Gibbs picked up Geelong’s maestro Steve Johnson in their forward 50 arc and David Ellard latched onto their captain and playmaker Joel Sellwood. A vibrant crowd of 47,000 roared into voice at the first bounce, and the match opened in frantic fashion. Mitch Robinson’s smashing tackle on Joel Corey set the standard for his team, but Geelong drew first blood with a lucky goal to Duncan. Eddie Betts then replied brilliantly for the Blues, before Zach Tuohy lifted the fans out of their seats with another of his trademark bombs that split the middle and gave the Blueboys real momentum. Betts was electric from the first bounce, and his third goal for the term – after he evaded three opponents while hemmed in on the boundary, then snapped truly – set up a 14 point advantage to the Blues at quarter time. It could have been more, however – three of Carlton’s four behinds came from missed set shots.

Geelong struck back hard in the second stanza, kicking 3.5 to 2.2 through their emerging star Steven Motlop. He booted all of the Cats’ majors for the term, and almost single-handedly cut Carlton’s advantage to only five points at half-time. Still, Matthew Kreuzer’s big pack mark (despite the resulting bad miss) and goals to Dennis Armfield and Andy Collins (his first for Carlton) kept every Blue heart pumping.

The third quarter was a somewhat scrappy affair as both sides threw themselves into the contest. After Betts kicked his fourth goal from a free kick, and Geelong replied twice to even the score, Warnock limped off the ground with what appeared to be a hip injury. Meanwhile, Kade Simpson was racking up the possessions in a welcome return to form, and Duigan’s steadiness across half-back was holding the defence together. Andrew Walker provided another highlight with a trademark screamer at half-back late in the quarter, and at the final break Carlton trailed the Cats by one straight kick.

Chris Yarran had replaced Warnock shortly before three-quarter time, and Yazz was quickly into the action as the last term began. In the first minute, he exploded off the wing on a bouncing run, only for his shot to hit the post. A few minutes later, he flashed into play again with a clever mark and his deft pass found Betts – whose shot from the right forward pocket also drifted wide. In the meantime, Sellwood goaled from a free kick to stretch the Cats lead to 10 points, and although Carlton attacked relentlessly for the rest of the match, they continued to spray their attempts. Kade Simpson bombed one through at the 8-minute mark, and Chris Judd’s bloody-minded persistence brought up another (number 200 of his career) with two minutes left on the clock. But in between, the wayward Blues missed too many gettable attempts at goal - kicking 2.9 to 4.3 in the last quarter to be beaten by 12 points.

Once more, Carlton’s supporter base was left frustrated and bemused. For much of the game, their side had outplayed Geelong to register more contested possessions (147-138) more effective hit-outs (54-26) more clearances (40-37) and of course, more scoring shots. Yet in an era when AFL players are bigger, faster, fitter and more athletic than ever before, set shot goal-kicking - a core skill of the game – seems to have regressed.

And for that reason alone, by Sunday night, Carlton was out of the eight.

Best for the Blues on another forgettable night at Docklands were Simpson, Betts, McLean, Judd and Duigan.

Subs : Chris Yarran replaced Robert Warnock during the third quarter.

Team

Milestones

200 Goals (AFL): Chris Judd
1st Carlton Goal: Andrew Collins

Brownlow Votes

3. Joel Selwood, Geelong
2. Brock McLean, Carlton
1. Kade Simpson, Carlton

Best & Fairest Votes

Kade Simpson 38, Eddie Betts 36, Brock McLean 29, Andrew Walker 25, Robert Warnock 20, Zach Tuohy 18, Bryce Gibbs 12, Chris Judd 12, Dennis Armfield 5, Lachie Henderson 5, Mitch Robinson 5, Andrew Collins 3

Ladder