Goalkickers: H. McKay 3, C. Polson 2, A. Mullett, S. Kerridge, K. Simpson 1.

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Leigh Fisher, Breadan Hoskins, Andrew Stephens

Injuries: J. Weitering (concussive symptoms), C. Curnow (left knee)

Ladder: 18th

Game Review

The Blues were smashed in this sad season closer for 2018. With the defence shot and key players struggling bar man mountain Patrick Cripps, the Blues limped to the season ending and began dreaming of a resurgence in 2019. Other highlights for the game were 3 goals early from McKay and a breakthrough game from Cam Polson with 2 majors.

Best for the Blues were Cripps, McKay, O'Brien, Murphy

Crows too good for Blues
Adelaide ensured a nightmare campaign would finish on a positive note, resigning Carlton to its worst season in 117 years in the process with a ruthless victory on Saturday night. With neither side able to play finals, the Crows turned their Round 23 encounter at Etihad Stadium into a training drill, running out emphatic 104-point winners. Their comprehensive 26.9 (165) to 8.13 (61) victory meant the Blues will end the year with just two victories to their name, their lowest win tally across an entire season since 1901. In a match that was indicative of Carlton's sorry season, the Blues conceded 13 goals in the first half as the Crows stamped their authority on the contest from the outset. Josh Jenkins and Jordan Gallucci were integral to their early burst, kicking three goals each to half-time as the visitors cruised to a 49-point buffer at the main break. The precession continued after the interval, with Adelaide adding the first six goals of the second half on its way to a resounding victory – its 12th of the year. Jenkins finished with seven goals from 19 disposals and nine marks, with Gallucci (four goals), Eddie Betts (three) and Rory Atkins (three) also getting in on the action. With star midfielder Rory Sloane a late withdrawal due to a private family matter, the Crows were still able to dominate the game out of the middle. Sloane's replacement, Cam Ellis-Yolmen, finished with 24 disposals, seven clearances and eight tackles, while Rory Laird (34 disposals) and Matt Crouch (29 disposals) were also prolific in the side's convincing victory.

For the Blues, a year to forget was closed in the manner in which the majority of it was played – plagued by fundamental mistakes and a host of injuries. Unforced errors by foot compounded dropped marks, while missed shots in front of goal were punished by costly defensive slip-ups at the other end of the field. It came as Jacob Weitering (concussion) and Charlie Curnow (knee) both failed to play out the match, having left the ground within minutes of each other early in the third term. Yet, amid it all and typical of his year as a whole, Patrick Cripps fought valiantly to the very end. Playing virtually on one leg after suffering a series of knocks both throughout the game and the year, Cripps finished with 37 disposals, 24 contested possessions, 18 clearances and seven tackles – breaking the all-time contested possession record in the process. But his performance was a rare bright spot on a dark night, and a dark season, for the Blues. Jacob Weitering came from the field with a concussion after he was clattered into by teammate Sam Rowe, while Charlie Curnow also left the game with an apparent knee injury after falling awkwardly in a marking contest. Neither returned to the game. Patrick Cripps did play out the match, but did so virtually on one leg, having been banged up throughout the season. - Riley Beveridge afl.com.

Team

Milestones

Last Game: Aaron Mullett, Sam Rowe, Jed Lamb, Sam Kerridge
Last Game - retirement: Ciaran Byrne, Matthew Wright

AFLCA Votes

8 - Patrick Cripps (CARL)
8 - Josh Jenkins (ADEL)
6 - Rory Laird (ADEL)
4 - Wayne Milera (ADEL)
3 - Rory Atkins (ADEL)
1 - Jordan Galluci (ADEL)

Brownlow Votes

3 - J. Jenkins (ADEL)
2 - Patrick Cripps (Carl)
1 - R. Atkins (ADEL)

Best & Fairest Votes

Patrick Cripps 10, Harry McKay 5, Cameron Polson 3, Dale Thomas 3, Sam Kerridge 2, Aaron Mullett 2, Marc Murphy 2, Lochie O'Brien 2, Ciaran 'Casey' Byrne 1, Sam Petrevski-Seton 1, Jack Silvagni 1, Kade Simpson 1.