Goalkickers: J. Waite 3, D. Armfield 2, J. Garlett 2, L. Casboult, B. Gibbs, M. Murphy 1.

Umpires: J. Bannister*, M. Leppard, M. Stevic (*Bannister replaced J. Mollison before the game)

Injuries: M. Jamison (hamstring)

Ladder: 11th

Game Review

Carlton's season 2012 aspirations were still alive, if only barely, as they entered their round 19 clash with top of the ladder Sydney Swans. As gritty and hard-fought as Carlton's consecutive wins have been, their "run" pales against that of the Swans' on a red (and white) hot streak of eight. To have any realistic chance of playing beyond round 23 the Blues desperately needed a victory over the Swans, but despite some recent good form against them it was going to be quite a test given the absence of some key personnel.

Aiming to break that winning streak and keep their slim finals hopes alive the Blues welcomed back two front-liners in Kade Simpson and Jarrad Waite. Simpson's jaw was given the all-clear by the medicos and having made it through the final training session unscathed was made available for selection. His inclusion, albeit with most unfashionable headwear, was a big plus for the Blues depleted midfield. Waite's season has been dogged by injury (again) so much so that his last appearance was way back in round seven. Sitting on 149 career games for the duration of the season since, this would be a well earned 150th - a victory for persistence. The other inclusion was Simon White, not seen for quite some time and making his first appearance for 2012. Making way for the return of the big names were youngster Frazer Dale, veteran Bret Thornton and the out of sorts Nick Duigan.

In the gloomy confines of a closed-roof Etihad Stadium the game got underway something akin to a bout of boxing with the teams seemingly circling, sparring and feeling each other out. The Swans landed the first blow in the fifth minute but it wasn't long before the Blues responded thru Waite. A strong mark drifting across the front of the pack followed by a well-executed set shot underlined one of the major ingredients Carlton had been missing in his three month absence. That was about as close as the Blues got for some time as Sydney started to dominate the stoppages with clearance after clearance coming from fast, precise handball in close until their runners could be found. The Blues had little answer to the Swans' strong midfield and quickly found themselves 20 points behind as Sydney kicked three in a row. The response finally came when Levi Casboult found himself in the domain of the small forward as he crumbed a lovely front and centre ball from the pack's spillage before hacking through on his left. Dennis Armfield provided one of the highlights of the term with a blistering run-down of Sydney speedster Lewis Jetta that prevented a near certain goal. The Blues finished the term on a high when Armfield featured again late in time-on. His bullet pass inside 50 found Jeff Garlett about five metres in the from the boundary. Garlett made no mistake with a composed and well taken finish to narrow the gap to nine points by quarter's end.

The Carlton resurgence at the end of the first term seemed a distant memory after the Swans added four on the trot in first half of the second quarter. The Sydney dominance at the stoppages continued and their forward 50 entries were that of a well organised and disciplined unit in stark contrast to Carlton's hap-hazard bomb it long approach inside 50. Carlton finally stopped the Sydney run when Andrew Carrazzo found Waite open out the back of the Swans' defence after a wonderful tackle from the quiet Eddie Betts created the turnover. That man Armfield was in the action again producing the highlight of the term for the Blues with a stunning run from the wing that involved a couple of give 'n go moves with Aaron Joseph and Marc Murphy before finishing truly on the run from about 45. It was a rare treat that reduced the Swans' lead to 21 points at the half.

With the margin not really reflecting Sydney's dominance of the first half Carlton were well and truly in the game but made little of their opportunities during the premiership quarter. The Swans opened the third as they had the first two quarters with a couple of goals to add some breathing space with a five goal lead. Carlton's only goal for the quarter came from Armfield after he was cleaned-up in a marking contest about 40m out directly in front. After dusting himself off and getting all his faculties together, Armfield calmly slotted through his second to keep the Blues in touch. The goal came against the flow and when the Swans booted their response a couple of minutes later normal service had resumed. To rub salt into the wound the Blues then lost Michael Jamison to what looked like a hamstring strain which saw him substituted from the game and perhaps the next couple as well. Sydney's goal gave them a 32 point break at the final change and the Blues were going to need a major form reversal (and minor miracle) to have any chance in the last.

Some wondered how Waite might run the game out, but when he guided through his third from a tight angle inside two minutes of the resumption it was clear he'd held up well in his return. Though Carlton hopes were kept alive momentarily they were dashed soon after when the Swans answered with two in a row. Carlton fought on doggedly for the remainder of the term, never getting blown away, but never looking like winning either. With Bryce Gibbs, Garlett and Murphy all chipping in with goals as the clock ran down the final margin was respectable, yet quite flattering, at 22 points when the final siren sounded. It effectively signalled the end of Carlton's 2012 campaign with only mathematical possibilities left to ponder during the final four rounds of the season.

Interesting Fact: Carlton used the 6 numbers between 40 and 45.

Subs: Marcus Davies replaced Michael Jamison late during the third quarter.

Team

Milestones

150 Games: Jarrad Waite
Last Game: Andrew Collins
Guernsey Games Record: Eddie Betts broke Ian Collins' record of 161 games in guernsey 19.

Brownlow Votes

3. Daniel Hannebery, Sydney
2. Kieren Jack, Sydney
1. Jarrad McVeigh, Sydney

Best & Fairest Votes

Dennis Armfield 32, Michael Jamison 25, Jarrad Waite 25, Tom Bell 14, Ed Curnow 13, Bryce Gibbs 13, Brock McLean 10, Andrew McInnes 7, Marc Murphy 7, Simon White 6, Heath Scotland 4

Ladder