Goalkickers: B.Kemp 3.3, B. Ainsworth 2.1, M.McGovern 1.2, F.Evans 1.2, P.Cripps 1.0, M.Carroll 1.0, H.McKay 0.2, Z.Williams 0.1, J.Smith 0.1, W.Hayward 0.1, Rushed 0.2.

Reports: Patrick Cripps (CARL) charged with misconduct for his tackle on Hugo Garcia (StK). With an early plea, he was fined $1000. Harry Dean (CARL) was charged with misconduct for shoving Liam Henry (StK). With an early plea, he was fined $1000.

Umpires: Alex Whetton, Jamie Broadbent, Brent Wallace, Jordan Fry.

Injuries: H.Dean (groin), L.Cowan (head knock).

Ladder: 16th.

Game Review

Familiar story for Blues in Marvel Stadium defeat
By Cristian Filippo, Carlton Media

A third-quarter drop-off has seen Carlton record a sixth defeat of the season at the hands of St Kilda. Once again taking a lead into half time, the Blues couldn’t quell the momentum of the Saints in the third term, ultimately falling to a 9.15 (69) to 16.12 (108) defeat. It was a very familiar story for the Blues, who played solid football in the first half before dropping away when the momentum swung in the second half.
Carlton produced some of its best offensive football of the year in the opening two quarters, taking a 12-point lead into the main break in a game which had its fair share of tension. After going behind early, the Blues kicked out to a three-goal lead in the second term, with Brodie Kemp looking increasingly dangerous inside 50. Nic Newman continued his strong form since his return from injury while Matthew Carroll’s high-flying mark was the standout moment in the first half for the Blues. However, the Blues could only produce two goals in the second half while the Saints piled on 11 of their own to well and truly take the game away from the Blues. While Carlton ended with more inside 50s than St Kilda, the Blues struggled to contain the Saints’ aerial threats, ultimately conceding 28 scoring shots from 46 inside 50s. Harry Dean didn't return to the field in the fourth term following a groin injury. Carlton will head to Brisbane next Friday night to take on the reigning premier at the Gabba.

Heated Voss candid about Blues' failings, Saints assess injury concerns.
Michael Voss knows where his side must improve but he can't work out how to make it happen - By Gemma Bastiani

Michael Voss was heated following yet another second-half capitulation from Carlton in which it gave up eight third-quarter goals to fall to St Kilda. The under-seige coach conceded that crucial elements of his side's play was "not at the level that it needs to be" after Saturday night's match followed the fateful pattern of just about every other game it has played this season. The Blues' willingness to work, defend the ground, and handle pressure was all questioned after a 12-point half-time lead turned into a 39-point loss. "You just need to be able to dig in and run," Voss said post-match. "We just didn't do that at the level we needed to. So, the delay on the ball is the first thing, but then the second thing, to be able to turn and go and be able to outnumber that second contest was not at the level that it needs to be tonight.

"But whether it's that source or it's another, the reality is that defensively we haven't been strong enough this year. We're just getting scored against too much… there's some fundamentals that we clearly need to be able to clean up, but we've got to be far more defensively stronger than what we currently are against any side. "So, when a side presses, stand up. Stand up. And we're currently not doing that." Voss cited the opportunities the Blues created in the second half but didn’t take, which turned into scores for the Saints on the turnover. "That's the transition part of the game that we've clearly, obviously got to get better at, and we've got to get a shift in that to be able to make us a better football team… A lot of it's got to do with intent and what we want to continue to prioritise as a football team. So clearly, right now, it's not high enough, so we've got to make it a priority," he said.

He conceded that the midfield was "beaten", but that it wasn't an issue isolated to the line. The club laid just six tackles in the third term, despite losing the disposal count 72-91. The pain was compounded by back-to-back goals to Saint Liam Henry following an undisciplined push from first-year defender Harry Dean that is likely to draw the ire of the Match Review Officer. "I can honestly say this hand on heart, I didn't actually see the exact incident because I had my head down looking at the vision and how we ended up in the goalsquare in the first place. So, I was looking away, but I will go back and have a look at that one," Voss said. "One thing I will say is that, with 'Deany', he’s a fiery guy. I love how combative he is, how he goes about his football, and he’s an in-the-face (type of) defender… So, when you get competitors like that, it doesn't always go exactly to plan. They live on the edge that way, and I kind of like that. I mean, there's ways to do it, and I'll go back and have a look at the incident, but I don't mind that player that sits on the edge." During the final quarter Dean came from the field with a groin concern that will require a scan during the week, and Lachie Cowan passed a SCAT test following a head knock.

Dynamic Saints turn on the jets as Blues capitulate again
St Kilda has run over the top of Carlton as the Blues suffered another second-half meltdown - AFL.com

It's almost as if the script writers have gone on strike. Carlton, in front at half-time, falling apart and giving the opposition free run in attack. We've seen it all before, time and time again. And credit to St Kilda, which kept the faith after a shaky start to run out 16.12 (108) to 9.15 (69) winners under the Marvel Stadium roof on Saturday evening. Eight third-quarter goals – and nine unanswered either side of the main break – set up the Saints' fourth win of the season, much to the delight of former Blues pair Tom De Koning and Jack Silvagni. It is the third time this season that Carlton has conceded 50 or more points in a quarter, piling even more pressure on coach Michael Voss.

The term was punctuated by back-to-back goals to Liam Henry following an undisciplined push from Blues defender Harry Dean, which will likely draw the eye of the Match Review Officer. In the first half, there was a sense of composure going forward that opened things up for Carlton. Lowering the eyes, spotting up teammates who had worked hard to create space from a direct opponent, and – crucially – hitting those teammates neatly. It meant that at times Harry McKay essentially became a decoy to create opportunities for others, and smaller forwards became increasingly dangerous. Their composure going forward was helped by the club's capacity to generate front-side clearances. Jagga Smith was a large proponent of that attacking midfield style, as was the dash from behind of Oliver Florent. It forced some momentary panic in the St Kilda defence, with errors creeping into their attempts to move the ball further from its own goal.

When the Saints did establish some possession in space, however, end-to-end footy was on the menu. Such movement meant the forward line could create isolated one-on-one contests, in which it excelled. Rowan Marshall's shift to become a dangerous tall target in attack created some mismatches with the Blues' defence, finishing with three goals from 22 disposals, and Cooper Sharman (nine marks, two goals) worked away from his direct opponent consistently throughout the evening to offer a reliable marking target. Like clockwork, after emerging from the long break, Carlton's previously calm, organised defensive line started to get too aggressive. Coming forward to try and generate turnover higher up the field, they often left one teammate to mark two Saints close to goal. It was in stark contrast to the first half, where Nick Haynes was often found sitting alone, acting as a goalkeeper. Marked well by Lachie Cowan early in the piece, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (31 disposals, five clearances, one goal) got busy as the game wore on, breaking away from the close checking and utilising one of his best assets: his run as carry on transition. St Kilda have an all-time win rate of 26.75% against the Blues, their lowest win-rate against any side in their history. But their 52-point third quarter spurred them to their fourth win of their season.

Doubling down
Just as Carlton was, once again, capitulating in the third quarter, things escalated further. In his first senior appearance of the year, Liam Henry was running into an open goal, and after putting it through, he was crudely pushed into the signage by first-year Blue Harry Dean. It took Henry some time to get back to his feet as teammates flew the flag above him. Dean was dragged, and Henry was handed another shot on goal from the easiest of positions, putting St Kilda up by three kicks without any sign of slowing down.

Carroll flies
In a game with noted front-half fliers Harry McKay, Tom De Koning, Brodie Kemp and Cooper Sharman, it was Matt Carroll who provided a genuine highlight in front of goal. Midway through the second term, as Carlton was finding its groove in the attacking half, a long, high ball was headed to the hotspot in the Blues' attack. Almost as if in slow motion, Carroll floated over the top of the pack to pull down an impressive mark and, importantly, slotted the goal to go with it.

No love lost
Two huge stories of last summer were the moves of Tom De Koning and Jack Silvagni from Carlton across to St Kilda, so of course the Blues fans were going to turn out at their first opportunity to share their displeasure at the deflection. It didn't take long for the boos to echo around the enclosed stadium, as Silvagni earned an early interception, while De Koning shook off any nerves with an impressive mark and set shot to close out the first term. Although the crowd bayed until the final siren, the volume decreased once the scoreboard flipped in the Saints' favour.

Best: J.Smith, O.Florent, B.Kemp, N.Newman.

Carlton's fade outs are creating long-term scars
For both fans and players, Carlton's ongoing trend of second-half fade outs is creating long-term damage to an already struggling program. With the predictable, and dramatic, momentum swings away from the Blues becoming essentially a footy meme, if change isn't established quick smart, some of the young talent that has been brought into the club to help turn the tide is going to be scarred before they can show their true value. Whether that change is the head coach, the off-field staff, veteran players, or a combination of all three remains to be seen, but the bleeding simply must be stemmed for the future of the club. - Gemma Bastiani

Team

In: Adam Saad, Oliver Hollands, Harry McKay, Marc Pittonet
Out: Cooper Lord (Omitted), Ashton Moir (Omitted), Talor Byrne (Omitted), Lewis Young (Omitted)

Milestones

50 Games (AFL): Francis Evans
500 Games Player and Coach (AFL): Michael Voss

Interesting Facts

1. This was the eighth straight game between these two teams that the away team has won; it is a 5-3 advantage in the Saints' favour. The last time that the home team won was when the Blues were victorious Round 22, 2019 at the MCG by 10 points.
2. Adam Saad played his 109th game at the Blues for a career total of 218. Half of his games have been with the Blues, whilst the other half was shared between Essendon and the Gold Coast Suns.
3. Adam Cerra played his 77th game for Carlton, just passing the 76 games he played for Fremantle.

Free Kicks

Carlton 17
St Kilda 21

Front Runners

1 - Matt Cottrell 15.0km
2 - Oliver Hollands 14.6km
2 - Oliver Florent 14.6km
3 - Cooper Sharman (St Kilda) 14.4km
4 - Brad Hill (St Kilda) 14.2km

AFLCA Votes

10 Rowan Marshall (STK)
7 Cooper Sharman (STK)
5 Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (STK)
4 Bradley Hill (STK)
2 Max Hall (STK)
2 Mitch Owens (STK)

Brownlow Votes

Best and Fairest Votes

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