Goalkickers: L. Henderson (4), E. Betts (3), C. Yarran, D. Armfield, B. McLean (2), J. Garlett, M. Watson,C. Judd (1).

Reports: Nil

Umpires: L. Farmer, S. McBurney, T. Pannell

Injuries: J. Bootsma (illness) replaced in the selected side by J. Cachia

Ladder: 9th

Game Review

With the horror of our previous game at Metricon Stadium still fresh in our memories – that awful Saturday night in August 2012 when Carlton’s faltering season was given the coup de grace by the emerging Gold Coast Suns - the Blues returned to the killing ground with plenty to play for. Finals were not yet out of the question, and revenge was a powerful motivator.

In Melbourne, the football press had banging on all week about who was the best Gary Ablett; junior or senior – while every Blues fan’s mind was focussed on whether we could contain junior on his march to yet another All Australian and Brownlow Medal double. Prior to boarding their flight to the Gold Coast, Carlton’s match committee made two changes to the side that had beaten North Melbourne in round 17, recalling Mitch Robinson and Josh Bootsma for Andrew McInnes and Jaryd Cachia. However, Bootsma withdrew on the morning of the match, and Cachia was given a late reprieve as the Blues’ substitute.

The game began with a burst of Carlton goals, the first four in fact, on the back of a dominant midfield, and an open, cohesive forward line. The Suns’ ruck stocks had been decimated by injury, and they were forced to call on an inexperienced youngster in Tom Nicholls – who tried hard, but was clearly eclipsed by Matthew Kreuzer. Still, while he was fresh, Nicholls won the odd tap, and the Suns worked hard to kick the last three goals of the term to trail by only 8 points at the first break.

Both sides kicked four goals in an even second quarter, although Carlton spent more time forward and should have capitalised on their many chances. Highlights of the term included two goals to Eddie Betts and the 50th major in his career to Lachie Henderson. Meanwhile, Ed Curnow was playing a disciplined role on Gary Ablett, and had the star Sun on a tight rein. The lowlight for Gold Coast fans was a knee injury to Nicholls, who limped off the field in the last few minutes of the quarter and was substituted out of the match early in the second half.

Carlton brought up their ninth goal of the game four minutes into the third quarter, when Marc Murphy and Jeff Garlett combined to get the ball to Matthew Watson. The hefty youngster let fly from 45 metres and split the middle of the big sticks, sparking a wild celebration of his first career goal. Midway through the term, Cachia was subbed on for Kane Lucas, before Brock McLean kicked the Blues only other major for the quarter during time-on. At the last break, Carlton was on top all over the field and led by 17 points, but it should have been much more. Nine shots on goal had produced 2.7 for the quarter, and the Suns were not yet spent.

Perhaps reminded of their capitulation in similar circumstances in 2012, Carlton came out with real intent in the last stanza, and Mitch Robinson set the tone by crashing through Ablett at the first centre bounce. Two majors to Lachie Henderson in quick succession then gave the Blues a handy buffer, but it wasn’t until Dennis Armfield took a handpass from the livewire Eddie Betts and strolled into an open goal after 23 minutes that Blues fans at last breathed easy.

Two more majors during time-on added icing to the cake, and the final margin was 43 points. Seven Blues had 25 possessions or more, headed by Heath Scotland (33) Kade Simpson (28) and Brock McLean (27). The intense midfield battle between Ablett and Curnow finished even, despite Ablett managing to break away on occasions during the second half to notch up 32 disposals at 69% efficiency. Curnow stuck to his task throughout, and finished with 22 disposals at 86%.

Subs: Jaryd Cachia replaced Kane Lucas during the 3rd quarter.

Team

-* Jaryd Cachia replaced Joshua Bootsma in the selected side

Milestones

50 Goals (AFL): Lachlan Henderson
First Goal: Matthew Watson
Interesting Fact: This was the 100th VFL/AFL game at Carrara, as well as Carlton's 8th game at this venue - for only our third victory. We even played a 'home' game here (against Fremantle) in 2009
Winning streaks: This 'threepeat' would be the last time the Blues would win 3 in a row until 2016

Brownlow Votes

3. Matthew Kreuzer, Carlton
2. Lachie Henderson, Carlton
1. Gary Ablett, Gold Coast

Best & Fairest Votes

Kade Simpson 7, Matthew Kreuzer 6, Ed Curnow 5, Lachie Henderson 5, Brock McLean 5, Andrew Walker 5, Dennis Armfield 4, Eddie Betts 4, Bryce Gibbs 4, Heath Scotland 4, Zach Tuohy 4, Chris Judd 3, Jeffery Garlett 2, Marc Murphy 2, Chris Yarran 1

Footnote

The Carlton players each wore two black armbands in this match, to honour to the recent passing of 1938 Premiership player Don McIntyre, and Grethe Mathieson - wife of Carlton life member Don Mathieson, and mother of club Director Craig Mathieson.

Ladder