Game Review

Blistering Blues start seals WA win

Carlton has recorded its second consecutive win with a 34-point triumph over West Coast. - By Cristian Filippo, Carlton Media.

Carlton has recorded its second consecutive win with a 34-point triumph over West Coast. Bursting out of the blocks and then recording a resolute defensive showing, the Blues led from start to finish in the 12.14 (86) to 7.10 (52) victory. George Hewett was once again prolific with 35 disposals, but it was a team showing that saw the Blues come away from Western Australia with the four points - particularly without key targets Charlie Curnow (calf tightness) and Hudson O’Keeffe (hamstring) in the second half. Once again playing up forward after his move last week, pressure from Mitch McGovern ultimately saw Tom De Koning register the opening goal of the game. It was a consistent theme in the opening term, with McGovern and Alex Cincotta recording three goal assists each in the opening term - ending in six of the Blues’ seven goals.

Three of those came off the boot of Lachie Fogarty, with the small forward equalling his career-high on the scoreboard inside the opening 10 minutes. George Hewett had a typically strong start with 12 first-quarter disposals, well-supported by Patrick Cripps with 10, as the Blues dominated possession and territory to see differentials of +53 disposals and +14 inside 50s in the opening term. Young defenders Matthew Carroll and Ollie Hollands both had great moments behind the ball, as explosive run and selflessness defined a second consecutive outstanding opening quarter for the Blues which saw them open up a 39-point gap. The game tightened up as a contest in the second term, but Cincotta continued his dynamic start, spending plenty of time on danger man Liam Baker while contributing nine score involvements of his own.

Four of those were direct goal assists, one of only three Blues to achieve that since the stat was recorded, while his second-quarter goal was as classy as they come. The Blues had to change the way they attacked with Charlie Curnow (calf tightness) spending extended periods on the interchange, with McGovern continuing to provide a target. Adam Saad bobbed up in important moments defensively, as the Eagles started to get their offence going after falling behind by as much as 57 points during the second term. Opportunities went begging in the late stages of the term for the Blues, but they still managed to take in a 46-point lead at the main break. Persistent rain meant conditions made for a much more physical affair in the third term, with scoring drying up and the Blues officially a key target down with Curnow subbed out for Corey Durdin at half time.

It was that man who kicked the Blues’ solitary goal of the term, on the back of an assist by Adam Cerra, who shone in tricky conditions with both his classy ball use as well as his defensive coverage from midfield. The Eagles had more territory with 15-9 inside 50s for the quarter, yet the Blues conceded only two goals as their backline stood up - Jacob Weitering had six intercepts alone for the quarter, while Saad and Jaxon Binns got busy with 11 disposals apiece. The Blues maintained a 40-point lead at the final change, but lost Hudson O’Keeffe (hamstring) in the latter stages of the third term, meaning Mitch McGovern was the Blues’ sole key target forward of the ball. That mattered not in the opening minute of the final term, when Cripps surged out of the middle for McGovern to register his third goal. The Blues were unable to sustain the run and gun which typified their play in the opening term, but after conceding only seven goals for the game, it ensured the Blues came away with a 34-point win at Optus Stadium - their fifth consecutive win at the venue.

Star forward's injury scare sours Blues' win over Eagles

A fast start has set up the Blues' win over the Eagles - By Nathan Schmook at Optus Stadium.

A calf scare for star forward Charlie Curnow has overshadowed Carlton's 34-point win against West Coast at Optus Stadium, with the Blues cruising to victory on Sunday night but assessing the potential cost. The Eagles will also face a nervous wait on their co-captain Oscar Allen's fitness after the key forward went down innocuously behind play in the final quarter and had to be helped from the ground by trainers with an apparent left leg issue. Carlton set up Sunday night's win with a dominant first quarter, kicking seven of their 12 goals before quarter-time and then keeping West Coast at arm's length to win 12.14 (86) to 7.10 (52). The Blues were fierce with their pressure and clinical with their handball chains early but lost a lot of the flow from their game for the final two-and-a-half quarters as the Eagles kicked six of the last eight goals of the game to add a little respectability to the scoreboard. Curnow was substituted at half-time after coming to the bench during the second quarter for assessment, with the gun goalkicker declaring post-match that it was "a bit of awareness" and he expected to be available next week. The visitors also lost Hudson O'Keeffe to a hamstring injury, while West Coast key defender Harry Edwards finished his 50th game with ice on his hamstring having earlier nursed an arm injury.

With Curnow sidelined after two first-half goals, tall forward Mitch McGovern stood up to boot three goals, while Lachie Fogarty also added three. Midfielder George Hewett was central to the early charge and motored on to finish with a game-high 35 disposals and seven clearances. Adam Cerra (30 and nine marks) and star ruck Tom De Koning (21, five clearances and six inside 50s) were also prominent, with the Blues doing all of their hard work early and then slowing the game down when injuries stifled them. There were alarms going off everywhere for West Coast early as it succumbed to the Blues' fierce pressure, with Allen forced to move behind the ball after four straight goals from the Blues to open the game. Some stern words from coach Andrew McQualter drew a response, and the team lifted to a more competitive standard, with young star Harley Reid (28 disposals and five clearances) leading the charge in a combative performance. Forward/ruck Bailey Williams was dangerous with a team-high three goals, benefiting from the Eagles' increased intensity and ability to turn the ball over and counter-attack. Mid-season recruit Tom McCarthy was outstanding, finishing with a club-record 31 disposals on debut, with half-back/wingman Tyrell Dewar (27 and seven rebounds) also prominent.

Nervous wait on fitness of tall duo
The Blues are no certainties to have either of their Coleman medallists available for next Saturday's clash against North Melbourne, with Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay both now under injury clouds. Curnow was substituted at half-time with what the club declared was calf tightness, while McKay's lingering knee soreness needs "more investigation" after the key forward was left in Melbourne and failed to train as much this week as the club had hoped. Mitch McGovern stood up on Sunday night, booting three goals, but the Blues have their share of injury concerns.

Best: G. Hewett, M. McGovern, T. De Koning, A. Cerra, L. Fogarty, J. Binns.

Team

B:	4 Oliver Hollands	23 Jacob Weitering	1 Jack Silvagni
HB:	32 Matt Carroll	26 Nick Haynes	42 Adam Saad
C:	13 Blake Acres	9 Patrick Cripps (c)	25 Jaxon Binns
HF:	6 Zac Williams	11 Mitch McGovern	14 Orazio Fantasia
F:	29 George Hewett	30 Charlie Curnow	3 Jesse Motlop
Ruck:	12 Tom De Koning	5 Adam Cerra	39 Alex Cincotta
Interchange:	15 Sam Docherty	36 Cooper Lord	8 Lachie Fogarty
	40 Hudson O'Keeffe
Substitute:	19 Corey Durdin
Coach:	Michael Voss
Emergencies:	38 Will White	33 Lewis Young	37 Jordan Boyd

In: Jaxon Binns, Corey Durdin
Out: Will White (omitted), Sam Walsh (foot)

Substitute: Corey Durdin replaced Charlie Curnow (calf) at half-time.

Free Kicks

Carlton 18
West Coast 19

Front Runners

Jaxon Binns 15.8km
George Hewett 14.8km
Blake Acres 14.8km

Interesting Facts

1. Lachie Fogarty best return was 3 goals in one game; in this match, he kicked 3 in the opening quarter.
2. Carlton has pushed ahead in the head to head meeting with 27 wins from their 53 games.

AFLCA Votes

9 - Adam Cerra (CARL)
9 - George Hewett (CARL)
3 - Jaxon Binns (CARL)
3 - Mitch McGovern (CARL)
2 - Harley Reid (WCE)
2 - Alex Cincotta (CARL)
1 - Tom McCarthy (WCE)
1 - Jacob Weitering (CARL)

Brownlow Votes

3 - Patrick Cripps (CARL)
2 - Adam Cerra (CARL)
1 - Tom De Koning (CARL)