Any proud blues supporter should know that it isn't a proper season unless Carlton humiliate themselves in any fashion during the final round. It happened last year in the form of a 104-point smacking by the hands of Adelaide. The 2016 side found a way to make arguably the worst Essendon team in history look like finals contenders. Plus the AFL has handed this long-suffering team to 21st century powerhouses like Hawthorn and Sydney for the sake of being torn to pieces (good thing it wasn't the case with the swans). Nothing changed, as Carlton were punished for their horrendous 2018 with a trip to Geelong's home base. The stadium of small crowds and a preparation room for away teams that is enough to leave anyone claustrophobic and short of air. I suppose I'm being silly and a bit of a misery guts. It's just that I fear a result such as this one will paint a bad picture for the club when it comes to off-season matters. I remain excited with the promise that shows as David Teague takes the wheel, but I hope the wait isn't too long. We are well overdue for some amazing times.
MARGIN
(Predicted : Real)
-110 points : -68 points
Difference: + 42
I had a feeling the gods came around with Geelong scarves around their necks. It was a home ground advantage and an audience dominated by cats fans. Everything from the umpires to the ball were there to support the home side. Even the bloody breeze of all things was barracking for them. Long story short, it was a game Carlton were never going to win. An absolutely certain defeat, with the question being how big. Not to forget that Crowded House hit, almost summing up the blues perfectly toys from Ikon Park once again brought their own storm clouds and horrid conditions to push the spectators away. It was the case when facing Port Adelaide. It was the case when facing Essendon. It was the case when facing Fremantle. And it most certainly was the case when facing Richmond. The blues should solemnly ask the question. What must they do for a little luck and good weather?
First Quarter
The first bounce was what Carlton fans did not need. A perfect slap by Rhys Stanley to Patrick Dangerfield's advantage and the quickest of goals to follow. Esava Ratugolea was then looking to intimidate the blues backline, running forward and out-muscling his opponents in the marking contest. All too familiar faces in Lachie Henderson and Zach Tuohy were making their old side look silly, with the latter embracing his new role up forward. Despite a relieving goal from Matthew Kennedy, the blue boys were convincingly defeated five goals to one in the first term. Mitch Duncan created a scare for cats fans as he copped a heavy knock to his shoulder, but Geelong had his absence well covered. Dangerfield wore Patrick Cripps like a glove, which left Ed Curnow having to do the heavy lifting in the middle for the blues. It was nothing but pure sloppiness and paralysis from Carlton, not knowing how to provide the answers and quieten the cats.
Second Quarter
As the wind showed it's support to the cats, Geelong proved all the more deadly with their accuracy and ability to find the space between the big sticks. They piled seven goals one to Carlton's two goals five. Marc Murphy and Will Setterfield had their chances early on, but with no luck. Down at the other end, Quinton Narkle would slot one with ease from 50 metres. The big names continued to humiliate the blues, with Dangerfield doing everything right and Gary Ablett Jnr. ageing backwards. Duncan got back on with the heavily strapped shoulder and fought through further contact to it. Curnow did all he could to keep the ball forward, recording successive entries within a minute of play. Cripps and Murphy too carried their team with the two goals. The cats however, had the answers. It was expected of the blues to make the dying seconds seem like an eternity, as Geelong moved the ball without any pressure whatsoever to get it in the hands of Tuohy on the siren. And no surprises it was another major to add to Carlton's misery.
As the wind showed it's support to the cats, Geelong proved all the more deadly with their accuracy and ability to find the space between the big sticks. They piled seven goals one to Carlton's two goals five. Marc Murphy and Will Setterfield had their chances early on, but with no luck. Down at the other end, Quinton Narkle would slot one with ease from 50 metres. The big names continued to humiliate the blues, with Dangerfield doing everything right and Gary Ablett Jnr. ageing backwards. Duncan got back on with the heavily strapped shoulder and fought through further contact to it. Curnow did all he could to keep the ball forward, recording successive entries within a minute of play. Cripps and Murphy too carried their team with the two goals. The cats however, had the answers. It was expected of the blues to make the dying seconds seem like an eternity, as Geelong moved the ball without any pressure whatsoever to get it in the hands of Tuohy on the siren. And no surprises it was another major to add to Carlton's misery.
Third Quarter
They were quick to finish things off in the first half with a goal and were quick to kick things of in the second with a goal, as Ablett up forward caused more trouble for Carlton. But from then onward it was the away side with the more solid display, booting three goals to Geelong's one. What was still The midfield for the blues again did most of the work, although it was made harder once Curnow was ruled out halfway through the term. Josh Deluca showcased heart with a first effort involving pressure on Duncan and a second effort seeing him squeeze the ball through the traffic for his team's fourth for the match. Harry McKay came around shortly after, succeeding from a set shot. Stanley ensured the damage wasn't severe, outstretching Jack Silvagni to get on the board himself. Lochie O'Brien with two attempts at a major already, was a case of third time lucky through a reply. A very small win for the blues, even though the efficiency in front of goal remained an issue.
They were quick to finish things off in the first half with a goal and were quick to kick things of in the second with a goal, as Ablett up forward caused more trouble for Carlton. But from then onward it was the away side with the more solid display, booting three goals to Geelong's one. What was still The midfield for the blues again did most of the work, although it was made harder once Curnow was ruled out halfway through the term. Josh Deluca showcased heart with a first effort involving pressure on Duncan and a second effort seeing him squeeze the ball through the traffic for his team's fourth for the match. Harry McKay came around shortly after, succeeding from a set shot. Stanley ensured the damage wasn't severe, outstretching Jack Silvagni to get on the board himself. Lochie O'Brien with two attempts at a major already, was a case of third time lucky through a reply. A very small win for the blues, even though the efficiency in front of goal remained an issue.
Fourth Quarter
Just when the Carlton army thought the hard work that paid off in the so-called 'premiership quarter' would spark some confidence going into the final thirty-odd minutes, it all came tumbling down. The cats totally got the better of them, achieving 14 scoring shots to two. Within the first eight in a row, sat a goal to Cameron Guthrie. Zac Fisher cut the chain and tried finishing off his poor back end of the year with a sweet enough goal. But there was no shutting up Geelong, who were minutes away from the minor premiership. Luke Dahlhaus just added to the certainty with not one, but two majors within the space of four to five minutes. Superstar Dangerfield added to his brilliant day, while exciting youngster Gryan Miers joined in on the fun. It became a 68-point belting in the end, with the cats proving ready for finals. As for the blues, they were left anticipating another off-season of list changes accompanied by wishful thinking. An all-too-familiar tale for someone such as myself.
PLUSES / MINUSES
1. The Midfield. That's all!
2. Sam Walsh is so damn consistent.
PLUSES / MINUSES
1. The Midfield. That's all!
2. Sam Walsh is so damn consistent.
1. If I had a dollar for every poor entry inside attacking 50, I'd probably have enough money to shout each of the players dinner. Yeah I'm exaggerating, but this constant weakness of Carlton's just does my head in.
2. It just looked like everything went right for Geelong. Even at times when they lost the ball, it somehow ended up back in their hands then through the big sticks from their boots.
3. Losing one of the very few decent performers in Ed Curnow, late in the third term.
4. When Geelong kicks the ball towards the boundary line... no problem. When Carlton kicks the ball towards the boundary line... deliberate. Grrrrr!!!
5. Nine players using the ball at 50% or less for the blues, compared to Geelong's one.
6. The lack of forward pressure. The boys for some unknown reason, forgot to bring it with them on the trip to the regional city.
7. Harry McKay and Mitch McGovern went missing for the majority of the match.
8. Don't know why, but the winds down at Kardinia Park don't seem to like Carlton very much.
9. Making second tier players look like out and out superstars. I speak of course about Quinton Narkle.
10. Biggest loss under the new coach yet. I'm genuinely afraid that there is worse to come.
SCORES
1. PATRICK CRIPPS 20
2. Marc Murphy 10
3. Ed Curnow 9
2. Marc Murphy 10
3. Ed Curnow 9
4. Sam Walsh 8
5. Matthew Kreuzer 7
6. Dale Thomas 6
6. Dale Thomas 6
7 = Nic Newman 4.5
7 = Will Setterfield 4.5
9. Matthew Kennedy 3
10. Josh Deluca 2
11.