Game Review

Resurgent Blues make it six straight with commanding Eagles win.
Carlton continues its surge to a Wildcard spot with an emphatic win over West Coast - By Sarah Black

It's full steam ahead for the Fraser freight ship, as Carlton made it six wins on the trot under its interim coach in defeating West Coast by 53 points at Marvel Stadium. Aside from a third-quarter mini-wobble when the Eagles managed the first two goals, the Blues did it fairly easily, and Josh Fraser must surely be wondering what's so difficult about this coaching caper with the 17.15 (117) to 9.10 (64) result under his belt. It's comfortably the Blues' highest score of the year, as well as their biggest win, while West Coast has been consigned to its 11th loss for the season. Carlton burst out of the blocks in the first term, kicking the first three goals and recording the opening five clearances as they set up the game-winning break nice and early in the piece. All eyes were on Harley Reid and Patrick Cripps in the middle of the ground, the young buck v the old bull, and while they had plenty of skirmishes with slightly manic grins plastered on their faces throughout, it wasn't a head-to-head battle. The Blues were finding space all over the field in the opening term, transitioning the footy with ease as Sam Walsh and Jagga Smith got busy; one particular chain ending up in a Mitch McGovern hanger on an unsuspecting Elliot Yeo, only for the forward's shot to drift right. West Coast tried to work its way back into the game in the second term, evening up the contest around the stoppage and throttling the Blues' run and spread. Brady Hough ran down Smith exiting 50, and Bo Allan kicked a superb spoil-and-burn effort, but it was 18-year-old Talor Byrne who countered both marks on the scoreboard, converting a second-term brace.

Not only did the Eagles enter the third term 32 points adrift, they'd recorded 100 disposals fewer in an uncontested possession thumping, with Reid having done all he could with eight clearances in two quarters of footy. West Coast's delivery into attack left much to be desired, with key forwards Jobe Shanahan, Jake Waterman and Willem Duursma battling against both the Carlton key backs and messy delivery. At one point in the third term, the Blues – led by Harry Dean and Lachie Cowan – had more marks in defensive 50 than the Eagles had in its own 50. Duursma was thrown on the ball to start the fourth term, but the No.1 pick (somewhat understandably) couldn't single-handedly turn the tide of the 36-point deficit. Eagles ruck Bailey Williams (34 hitouts, two goals) was excellent across all four quarters, while it was one of Blues recruit Ben Ainsworth's better games for his new club with 28 touches, five clearances and a goal. George Hewett did well to limit Reid's influence around the ground, clearance count (12 and 23 disposals) aside.

Cripps v Reid
For two players who – aside from the opening few minutes – didn't directly play on each other, the Carlton skipper and West Coast star sure ran into each other a lot. Both a fan of the contested ball, a bit of chat and out-muscling their opponent in a contest, Cripps made sure Reid knew all about it when he kicked a goal against the Eagle in the opening term. There were a few high-spirited wrestles along the way in the entertaining contest, and the veteran will be more than happy to have come away with 31 disposals, nine clearances and a goal.

McKay the back-up ruck
It's certainly not the first time that key forward Harry McKay has been employed as back-up ruck, but the freedom he was afforded and the smarts he showed around the ground was a key part in Carlton building out its match-winning lead. While it should be acknowledged he was often partnered against first-year Cooper Duff-Tytler (until a three-quarter time calf injury), McKay's smart ball use and ability to get on the run appeared to free him from the mental demons which occasionally haunt, although he did cop a poke in the eye late in the final term.

Best: P. Cripps, S. Walsh, B. Ainsworth, H. McKay, H. Dean, G. Hewett.

The Blues showed how to minimise Harley's influence
We only got a five-minute glimpse of Patrick Cripps v Harley Reid, and it was the much more unheralded work of George Hewett that helped Carlton to the comfortable 53-point win against West Coast, and provided a guide for future sides. The hard-working Hewett kicked two goals going the other way in the first quarter, taking advantage of Reid's want to move on the attacking side of the contest. The Blue - who found himself out of the 23 earlier this year, but was a key contributor on Saturday - also recorded 26 disposals and four clearances. The young Eagles star finished with an impressive 12 clearances and 23 disposals, and again had much of the midfield weight on his young shoulders compared to the more even spread of the Blues mids. But his ability to impact the contest on the outside was much more muted, thanks to Hewett getting busy - Sarah Black

Fraser flags 'growing pains' despite Blues' resurgence
By Sarah Black

Carlton interim coach Josh Fraser continued to hose down the hype around him potentially taking on the permanent role, having now jumped to a 6-0 record. "Not a bigger itch. I've had the ambition for a long time, and like I said earlier in the week, you never quite know when you're ready. This is giving me quite a unique opportunity to learn and grow in the chair. It is an interim role, I'm acutely aware of that, but really my focus is on making sure the club is in a better place at the end of the season," Fraser said. "The only thing I'd like right now is to go and review the game really well and make sure we're set up well on Monday. I understand the questioning, I really do, but I'd love to think this is less about me and more about our football club, our coaching group, our footy department, but most importantly, our players. "There are a lot of good things happening at the moment, and that's not just based on results, that's based on the process in what we're doing. I'm a part of that, but I'm not the whole thing. That's probably where I'll leave that." Fraser wasn't getting carried away with the result, despite it being both Carlton's highest score and biggest win of the year. "I thought it was a step forward, in terms of what the game presented in terms of a challenge. Watching West Coast a little bit, I really like what they're building, so that presented a challenge around the way they're trying to play," he said. "I think teams who are trying to build an identity can become dangerous – the way we were able to manage some of their strengths was pleasing, defending the ground largely pretty well. "There were some moments in the game I wasn't thrilled with, but that's part of our learning and I just said to the boys, if I'm to surmise where we're at, I think we're still going through some growing pains, and we're getting results, but there are still parts of our game we've got to get to work on."

"Not perfect", but Blues continue winning form
Josh Fraser's post-Round 16 press conference. - By Carlton Media

Winning while learning. For Josh Fraser and the Blues, it wasn't perfect, but the team's biggest score and winning margin of the season was cause for celebration following the triumph over West Coast. Here's what the Interim Coach had to say.

On the performance as a whole:
“I thought it was a step forward, with what the game presented in terms of a challenge. Watching West Coast a little bit, I really like what they’re building. They presented a challenge around the way they’re trying to play: I think teams trying to build an identity can become dangerous, so the way we were able to manage some of their strengths I thought was pleasing. “We defended the ground largely pretty well, there were some moments in the game which I wasn’t thrilled with but that’s part of our learning. I said to the boys, if I’m to surmise where we’re at, I think we’re still going through some growing pains. We’re doing it while getting results, but there are still parts of our game which we need to get to work on.”

On the Blues’ defensive solidity:
“It’s coming on the back of pressure, defence and winning contest. We’re trying to link our phases together and make sure that our defensive game is in order, which allows us to attack in offence. That’s been something we’ve grown. “It’s not perfect, I thought at times West Coast got through us a little bit too easily. The game will always give you things to work on. But on the whole, really pleasing. We leave here with some areas to get better at, but it’s pleasing we were able to transition the ball and score a little bit better than what we have.”

On George Hewett’s game against Harley Reid:
“I’ve really enjoyed George’s form. He’s a guy we can send to someone and get a job done for the team. He spent a bit of time at half-forward and he’s such a team-oriented player, with the ability to find the ball. I really enjoyed what George did today, along with our midfield. George has given us an asset to send to a player at any given stage during the game. ‘Can you believe he was out of the side?’ “I can [believe it]. When you’re trying to find out about your list and where the game is going, you need to have a look at what that mix can look like. When we spoke about the challenge of individuals getting better six weeks ago, George was in that boat too. “He doesn’t play exclusively midfield, Adam Cerra has gone out to a wing, Benny Ainsworth is spending more time inside. Our players have to grow their games in different parts of the ground which gives us flexibility on game day, and we’ll keep considering what that looks like.”

On the Blues’ backline group:
“They’ve been terrific. Nick Haynes, Nic Newman and Ollie Florent, that experience and the way they’re leading allows Wade Derksen to come in and play a role. He looks like he belongs at AFL level, which I’m so happy for him. Lachie Cowan, he’s a young player. We’ve got youth in the team that’s standing up really well. Billy Wilson has come in and given something different to our backs. I’m probably missing someone… “That’s what we’re trying to build, we’re building stability in roles. That doesn’t necessarily mean personnel can’t change, but it means that roles need to continue to grow and we’re building that from VFL level through to the way we train through to performances like today.”

On the player he forgot to mention...:
“Harry Dean, I can’t believe I overlooked Harry Dean! “You saw pretty early on how competitive he was. When young players come in, you want them to play to their strengths, but I think he’s got a unique set of strengths in that he’s the ultimate competitor. “He looks like a Carlton footballer. He brings an edge, he’s demanding of his teammates. I’ve loved what he’s added to where we’re going, for a player in his first season.”

On winning the disposal count while also winning the tackle count:
“There’s an appetite to apply pressure, that’s been something we’ve trained. We’re not turning up on game day hoping it’s what we’ll produce, we’re deliberately training what that method looks like. “The pressure part of the game is still a real thing. It’s a transition game more than it’s ever been, but your ability to force turnover and then what that looks like around the contest itself, they’ve been parts of the game we’ve gone after. “Those acts energise our fans. We had over 40,000 fans here today and yes, the goals get them out of their seats, but I think they’re enjoying the pressure we’re applying to the opposition. “They feel the energy that our supporters give us. We’ve got an incredible supporter base. Over 40,000 here today, I think they’re energised by the style of football that we’re playing. Clearly the wins are important, but our players enjoy playing in front of our supporters.”

On continued attention around his prospects:
“The only thing I’d like to do right now is review the game really well and make sure we’re set up well on Monday! “I understand the questioning, I really do. But I’d love to think this is less about me and more about our football club, our coaching group, our footy department and most importantly, our players. “There’s a lot of good things happening at the moment, and that’s not just based on results: that’s based on the process in what we’re doing. I’m part of it, I’m not the whole thing. That’s where I’ll leave that.”

On Jacob Weitering’s availability:
“There’s been a slight reoccurrence: I can’t give you more than that, because I don’t know at this point in time. We’ll dig into that early in the week. Our priority for Jacob, as it is with any player, is to set them up really well to return with a clean bill of health, to come in and play a role for us.”

On players putting their hand up:
“Our VFL team played today, I was really impressed with what I saw from them. I don’t think they got the result, but it looked like a Carlton game. I’m assuming there’ll be a number of players pushing for selection off the back of that.”

In:
Out:

Milestones

Interesting Facts

Free Kicks

In: No Changes
Out:

Milestones

Talor Byrne kicked a career-high 3 goals in this game.

Interesting Facts

1. This is the first time in season 2026 that Carlton has scored 100 points or more.
2. Record breaking Carlton home game crowd (41,861) against West Coast Eagles.
3. First time since Round 7, 2010 that all Carlton players had at least 10 disposals.
4. When Carlton played WCE Round 14, 2025 in Perth, this Carlton team on Saturday had 16 player changes to that game in 2025.

Free Kicks

Carlton 22
West Coast Eagles 21

According to Radio SEN's AFL Free Kick Ladder after Round 16 Carlton is 16th with 287 Frees For, 304 Against, a differential of -17.

Umpires

Nicholas Brown, Martin Rodger, Eleni Tee, Harrison Birch.

Front Runners

1. Blake Acres 14.7km
2. Liam Baker (WCE) 14.6km
3. Tom Cole (WCE) 14.3km
3. Marcus Herbert (WCE) 14.3km
3. Jake Waterman (WCE) 14.3km

Disposal Efficiency

1.- Harry Dean 100%
2.- Talor Byrne 91%
2.- Sam Walsh 91%
3.- George Hewett 89%
3.- Will Hayward 89%

AFLCA Votes

9 - Patrick Cripps (CARL)
8 - Sam Walsh (CARL)
7 - Ben Ainsworth (CARL)
4 - George Hewett (CARL)
1 - Lachlan Cowan (CARL)
1 - Harley Reid (WCE)

Brownlow Votes

3 Patrick Cripps
2 George Hewett
1 Harry Dean

Best and Fairest Votes

Video