Goalkickers: D. Armfield 2, E. Betts 2, D. Ellard, S. Hampson, C. Judd, M. Robinson, K. Simpson, C. Yarran 1.

Reports: B. Guerra (Hawthorn) for high contact against E. Betts in the first quarter.

Umpires: S. Meredith, J. Schmitt, M. Stevic

Injuries: M. Jamison (right shoulder)

Ladder: 10th

Game Review

Sitting 5-1 after six weeks of the season the Blues couldn't be blamed for thinking it was all going to plan, but when the following six weeks only generated the solitary victory the claims that the round 14 clash with the Hawks was essentially an elimination final were not without a hint of truth. The Blues, desperate to get back on the winning track, faced an in-form Hawthorn who hadn't skipped a beat since a shock loss to the Tigers in round 9.

The odds were stacked against the Blues, particularly when the hard-luck injury story continued through Lachie Henderson whose groin injury kept him from taking his place. The inclusions were Shaun Hampson and Josh Bootsma with Andrew Collins the other to make way.

The MCG surface was in solid knick given the dumping of rain it received earlier in the day, another icy Melbourne day at that. Despite the night air having a distinct chill to it, the game started at a busy tempo and appropriate heat levels for a round 14 elimination. The Hawks had the best of the opening minutes posting the first two goals to skip away to an early lead. It wasn't until the tenth minute that the Blues finally got on the board through David Ellard. He made the most of a loose ball about 30 metres out courtesy of some nice defensive work from Dennis Armfield earlier in the play. It was Armfield featuring again after swooping on the spoils of a marking contest and using his dash to create an opening before finishing truly from 40 on a tight angle. That goal brought the Blues within two points, but that was about as close as they would be for the rest of the night. Hawthorn piled on five of the six goals for the remainder of the term with Eddie Betts grabbing one against the tide from a free kick after nearly getting his block knocked off. Whist Chris Judd and Andrew Carrazzo were the Carlton standouts too few others offered resistance and the 26 point quarter deficit reflected that.

When the Hawks grabbed an early goal to extend their lead it was looking like it would be more of the same in the second quarter, but initially at least the Blues knuckled down and offered something of a response. Their first for the term came through Kade Simpson who marked courageously about 35m out after a decisive inside 50 from Bryce Gibbs. The Blues struggled to find the next goal but were pressuring the Hawks and the game had a step up an intensity for a ten minute period without any goals to show for it. Hawthorn broke the goal drought but the Blues answered with consecutive majors through Shaun Hampson and Chris Yarran to reduce the deficit to 22 points. The Blues desperately needed another to finish the half and further close the gap, but it never came and late in the quarter the Hawks grabbed their third for the term to restore their lead to almost five goals.

The momentary respite offered by the change rooms at half time was shattered soon after the resumption when for the third consecutive quarter the Hawks grabbed an early goal. Judd responded for Carlton to keep the lead under five goals, but the writing was on the wall. At half time Brett Ratten attempted to pull a rabbit out of his hat thrusting substitute Jeff Garlett into the play in hope of changing the momentum, but alas that too was in vain. The Hawks dominated the rest of the term, unleasing another five consecutive goals, to blow any minute Carlton hope out of the water with a 58 point lead at three quarter time.

With the result a foregone conclusion the final term was largely academic. The Blues managed to outscore the Hawks three goals to two and won their only quarter for the match. That said, the goals to Armfield, Mitch Robinson and Betts did little to diminish Hawthorn's resounding victory and the final result was utterly disappointing for Carlton, a 50 point loss. There were simply far too many passengers on the Carlton cruise ship. With the prospect of Michael Jamison being added to the injury list and a red-hot Collingwood on the horizon in round 15 it's difficult to see from where the next victory might be conjured.

Subs: Jeffrey Garlett replaced Josh Bootsma at half time.

Team

Milestones

100th Carlton Game & 100th Game as Carlton Captain: Chris Judd
Losing streak: The Blues extended their 8 game losing streak against the Hawks to 9 in this match... We hadn't beaten them since 2005!

Brownlow Votes

3. Lance Franklin, Hawthorn
2. Sam Mitchell, Hawthorn
1. Grant Birchall, Hawthorn

Best & Fairest Votes

Chris Judd 37, Aaron Joseph 27, Mitch Robinson 23, Shaun Hampson 13, Andrew Carrazzo 8, Brock McLean 5, Kade Simpson 4, Eddie Betts 3, Matthew Watson 3

Ladder