Blues get job done to return to winner’s list.
All the action coming out of the Round 20 win. - By Cristian Filippo, Carlton Media

Carlton has produced a gritty performance to come away with a 13-point win at Marvel Stadium. Leading at every change, the Blues won every quarter - albeit by a narrow margin - as they needed to come from behind in each term to come away with the win. When all was said and done, it was a Carlton victory under the roof, prevailing 16.14 (110) to 15.7 (97). Patrick Cripps led brilliantly with 15 clearances, while Talor Byrne had what was well and truly a breakout game with 12 score involvements and three goals. The Blues opened the game on the back foot, conceding the first three goals of the game as the Suns dictated the start of the contest. Overcoming its early funk, Carlton was in need of a fire starter, and it came in the form of Byrne. The first-year Blue used his physicality and pace to worry the Gold Coast defence, assisting a Will Hayward goal and kicking one of his own to see the Blues wrestle their way into the game. Carlton’s clearance game started to get going, seeing the Blues dominate forward territory in the second half of the term as a Francis Evans goal gave the Blues the lead at the first change. Nick Haynes had some crucial efforts on the last line to repel Gold Coast early, with a holding-the-ball tackle on Jed Walter lifting a vocal Carlton crowd at Marvel Stadium.

The Blues had to deal with an early blow, with milestone man Nic Newman injuring his hamstring and playing no further part in the game after the opening five minutes. The first quarter was an indication of how the rest of the game was to play out, with both sides trading momentum and while they never really got their most polished game going, it was a game defined by fiery pressure. While turnovers crept into Carlton’s game, the team’s willingness to get after the opposition allowed them to make up for their errors and respond whenever it looked like the Suns were getting on top. Returning to the senior line-up, Lewis Young produced a brilliant quarter across all three lines, producing some telling defensive moments, pinch-hitting in the ruck and converting a set shot. Byrne continued his brilliant showing while Jagga Smith got more and more involved, with a passage of play where he ran off half-back and then ultimately assisted Will Hayward coincided with a run of four straight goals. Just as they did at the start of each term, the Suns started strongly to open up a lead, which saw Francis Evans inspire his team with a chasedown tackle to send the Blues on their way. Byrne made it a career-high three goals (ending with a game-high 12 score involvements) while George Hewett continued his good goalkicking form with a left-footed snap. Carlton’s three-quarter-time lead of 12 points should’ve been greater after some missed chances late in the term, and it was wiped out almost immediately when the Suns kicked the first three to hit the front once more. Former Sun Ben Ainsworth produced a telling moment to level the scores on the back of an overhead mark, while Harry Dean sent the Carlton crowd into raptures with a telling spoil when the game was at its hottest. The Blues once more started to surge, with every Patrick Cripps (seven centre clearances) and Jagga Smith (six) breakaway from the middle matched by the resplendent Carlton roar. Carlton’s leaders stood up from there in the forward half, with Hewett (career-high three goals), McGovern - benefiting from some outstanding work from Brodie Kemp - and Hayward all kicking truly to seal a ninth win of the season. The Blues return to Marvel Stadium next Saturday night to take on the Brisbane Lions.

Fraser spotlights maturity, grit in return to winning form
Josh Fraser's post-Round 20 press conference. - Carlton Media.

A Mature showing.
It wasn’t always on Carlton’s terms, but the way in which the Blues managed to craft a big 14-point win against the Gold Coast Suns drew the praise of AFL Interim Coach Josh Fraser. Trailing in each quarter, the Blues kept finding a way to respond, with some of their youngsters leading the way in a return to winning form. Here’s what Fraser had to say.

On the game as a whole:
“I loved a lot of what that game presented. Structurally, we couldn’t really play a different way today because we didn’t have Harry in front of the ball, so that limited the levers we could pull. It forced us to continue to play the way we set out to in the face of being challenged at different times. It was a great opportunity for the group to manage the momentum shifts, a couple of goals in a row. “We’re still very much finding out about how we stay connected on the field, how we double down on our roles and execute. Over the course of four quarters, to persist and continue to play our way - our pressure game was strong, we owned the ball at the right times, we took the game on at the right times. “It wasn’t perfect, I thought some of our fundamentals were quite poor at different stages. We know we’ve got this work in front of us, and this will be ongoing. It’s not a quick fix, but to persist with our method is really pleasing.”

On the impact of a young Blue up forward:
“We should take a second to talk about Talor Byrne. He’ll get more spotlight because of the numbers and the goals, but consistently over the course of the year, he’s applied pressure we just haven’t had in our front half. His aerial craft for a smaller player is elite, his ground-level pressure is elite, he makes good decisions with the ball. “He’s really exciting: Carlton supporters should be excited about being part of our footy club moving forward. Then you throw in the Jagga Smiths, the Harry Deans, the Lachie Cowans, the Billy Wilsons, Cooper Lord plays today - there’s a really exciting core group of young players coming through that Carlton fans should be excited by.”

On Patrick Cripps’ continued impact:
“I’ve spoken a little bit about ‘Crippa’ - the on-field form is one thing, but the leadership attached to it is just as important. He has led this group incredibly well. In some ways, we’ve taken some of the burden off him and allowed him to spread some of the leadership load. Whether that has changed his approach to the game or not, I’m not sure. “But I love how he’s doing things on-field that are helping others, and he doesn’t feel as though he has to do everything which maybe in the past he has. He’s such a team-first guy and a Carlton person, he’s leading the group incredibly well.”

On Nic Newman’s 150th ending early for the milestone man:
“Naturally you’d be disappointed, milestone game and a hamstring injury early. It’s part of footy unfortunately. He’s a great character with great support. We’ll get more information early in the week and see where it sits, but he’s been an important player for us.”

On how the team navigated an early injury:
“I think that adds to the performance today: even when you look at last week, we lost a couple of players throughout the game, but the grit and fight from the playing group was still there. The intent to play our way was still there. “Today, again, we had to persevere and find a way. It was a high transition game and when you lose a player it spreads the load through others, so I thought our resilience was quite strong.”

On Harry McKay’s potential availability next week:
“Hopeful. He came into the Club last week with the intent to get up and going, but it didn’t quite happen for him. I’d imagine because of that process, he’d be better placed coming into next week. We have to map out what the week looks like for him, but he has to train well to put his hand up for selection.”

Suns' freefall continues as Blues rally late to keep wildcard hopes alive.
Carlton snuffs out Gold Coast's finals hopes with a 13-point win. - By Phoebe McWilliams at Marvel Stadium.

Carlton is back on the winners list after inflicting a ninth straight loss on Gold Coast at Marvel Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Blues young stars Jagga Smith and Talor Byrne were instrumental to their side's ninth win of the season, Carlton coming from behind in the final quarter to win by 13 points. Smith finished with 31 disposals and six clearances, while young forward Byrne kicked an equal career-high three goals and had a game-high 12 score involvements. Carlton was able to handle the momentum shifting match that had nine lead changes, kicking 16.14 (110) to 15.7 (97) to win in front of a crowd of 26,945. Gold Coast took the lead at the start of the fourth quarter thanks to three quick goals to Bailey Humphrey, Jed Walter then Beau Addinsall, but the Blues kicked five of the last seven goals to seal the victory.

Smith's dancing feet through the middle of the ground showed composure and class, the 20-year-old finishing the match with 90 per cent disposal efficiency. The Rising Star favourite was well supported by club leaders and fellow midfielders Patrick Cripps (30 disposals, 15 clearances) and Sam Walsh (31 disposals). Up forward, Byrne was a class above the rest, looking dangerous with every disposal. George Hewett continued his return to form kicking three of his own, while recruit Will Hayward also kicked a hat-trick. The Suns were more accurate in front of the big sticks, led by Joel Jeffrey, Humphrey and Ben King who all kicked three apiece. King was relatively well-held by Carlton youngster Harry Dean, King finishing the game with slight ascendency over the Blues' father-son. Suns skipper Noah Anderson did his best to keep his side in it, gathering 30 disposals, 22 of which came in the first half. Carlton's win puts it back in contention for a wildcard position, the Blues currently sitting in 10th position on the ladder with four rounds remaining. However, the loss all but ends the Suns' hopes of a finals spot - currently sitting two games adrift of the top 10 - after an incredibly disappointing campaign in which they were the early premiership favourites. The Blues scored 6.2 to 0.0 from 12-0 forward-50 stoppages this afternoon - their best differential of the season. Patrick Cripps recorded a game-high five clearances from this zone for a return of five score involvements.

Anderson's stunning goal
The Suns' skipper won Goal of the Year last year, could he go back-to-back? In the second quarter, Anderson did it all himself when he took on four Carlton opponents to take a shot on goal. Anderson shrugged a tackle, faked a handball, evaded another, then shrugged a second tackle before kicking for goal on the outside of his foot. Even Anderson was shocked at his own achievement, celebrating with a hand over his mouth in a look of disbelief.

Newman's short-lived milestone
Carlton favourite Nic Newman today celebrated game No.150. But it was a short and not so sweet appearance for the defender who lasted less than a quarter in his milestone match. Newman took a flying swing on a loose ball and missed connection, injuring his hamstring in the process. The injury-prone Blue was ruled out of the match at quarter-time.

Best: J. Smith, P. Cripps, T. Byrne, S. Walsh, G. Hewett.

We're no closer to knowing who will win the Rising Star
Two of the most exciting young players, Harry Dean and Jagga Smith, are making life difficult for those selecting this year's Telstra AFL Rising Star winner. The young Blues continue to put together impressive performances early on in their careers, playing with maturity far beyond their years. On Saturday against the Suns, Smith finished with an equal game-high 31 disposals at an incredible 90 per cent efficiency, while Dean took it up to the Suns' best forward Ben King. King finished with three goals, but wasn't overly dominant against the competitive youngster. Good luck to those trying to split the two. - Phoebe McWilliams

In: Marc Pittonet, Lewis Young.
Out: Harry McKay (knee), Liam Reidy (omitted).

Milestones

150 Games (AFL): Nic Newman
150 Goals (AFL): Mitch McGovern
Rising Star Nominee: - Talor Byrne

Interesting Facts

1. Both teams wore their home game uniforms.
2. The lead changed 9 times throughout the match.
3. Carlton had 52 tackles to Gold Coast's 34.
4. Eight Gold Coast players had 0 tackles, compared to Carlton's two.
5. Talor Byrne is the youngest player ever to record 3-plus goals and 4-plus score assists in a game, according to Champion Data.
6. George Hewett equalled a career high 3 goals in a game; the previous occasion was in 2016 as a Swan.

Free Kicks

Carlton 25
Gold Coast Suns 14

Umpires

Daniel Johanson, Curtis Deboy, Andre Gianfagna, Peter Bailes.

Front Runners

1. Blake Acres 15.1km
2. Noah Anderson (GCS) 14.4km
3. Adam Cerra 14.2km
4. Cooper Lord 14.0km
5. Matt Cottrell 13.9km

Disposal Efficiency

1. Jagga Smith 90%
2. Oliver Florent 88%
2. Marc Pittonet 88%
3. Harry Dean 85%
4. Sam Walsh 84%

AFLCA Votes

9 - Patrick Cripps (CARL)
8 - Talor Byrne (CARL)
5 - Jagga Smith (CARL)
4 - Noah Anderson (GCFC)
2 - Mac Andrew (GCFC)
2 - George Hewett (CARL)

Brownlow Votes

3 Patrick Cripps
2 George Hewett

Best and Fairest Votes

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