CARLTON has fallen by 13 points in a high-scoring clash with Geelong.

Continuing their trend of back-and-forth action in recent weeks, the Blues challenged the Cats all day, but were unable to get within more than an arm’s length in the 18.10 (118) to 15.15 (105) loss. 

Jacob Weitering was brilliant opposed to Tom Hawkins, while Patrick Cripps (29 disposals, two goals), Marc Pittonet (11 clearances) and Sam Walsh (31 disposals) again having big afternoons in the middle.

Quarter one

In front of a big crowd, it was no surprise that it was a willing contest from the outset at the home of football. In their second game for the season at the MCG, the Blues were doing plenty right against the Cats, particularly out of the middle, dominating clearances 13-5 in the first term. A key reason for that was once again Marc Pittonet, with the ruckman starting brilliantly with nine first-quarter disposals and four clearances in his own right. What the Blues failed to do was convert inside 50, generating 10 scoring shots in the opening term but only managing two goals. One of those was from defender Jordan Boyd, who broke through for his first AFL goal with a sidestep and long-range finish. Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh got to work with 10 disposals, but the Cats’ transition game was worrying the Blues, as the home side converted the majority of their chances in front of goal to take a 12-point lead into the first change. 

00:42

AFL R7 | Boyd brings Carlton faithful to their feet

Jordan Boyd brought the crowd to their feet with his first AFL goal.

Quarter two

After the Blues made a strong start to the second term, with Harry McKay and Elijah Hollands kicking back-to-back goals, the Cats responded. Dominating the contested mark count, Jeremy Cameron loomed as the danger man in what turned out to be an up-and-down second quarter with the two teams trading momentum. The Blues were performing well from clearances, but found themselves handing the Cats opportunities at times, with the home side recording three goals from forward-half intercepts in the first half alone. Jacob Weitering had a typically accomplished showing against Tom Hawkins, having seven disposals in the second term alone while keeping the star forward to just four for the half. However, at a crucial time, the Blues conceded two late goals, turning into a 19-point deficit at the main break.

00:39

AFL R7 | Cottrell shows his strength and nous with insane finish

Matt Cottrell snaps cleverly from the goal line

Quarter three

The third quarter has been a favourite of the Blues in recent weeks, and in particular, Charlie Curnow has been the star man. That trend continued against the undefeated Cats, with the Carlton co-vice captain stamping himself on proceedings. With two goals and a direct assist, Curnow took his tally to 23 goals for the season — 14 of those have come in third terms. He wasn’t alone, with Carlton’s pressure lifting and individuals rising to the occasion: Elijah Hollands surged forward for his second of the evening while captain Patrick Cripps was at his physical best with 11 third-quarter disposals. However, as had been the trend of the day, every time the Blues got within striking distance of the Cats, their opponents responded with a transition goal to open an 11-point gap.

Quarter four

A late inclusion into the starting line-up, debutant Jaxon Binns was subbed into the game at three-quarter time for Matthew Owies. He found himself being inserted into a willing contest, with the opening opportunities always going to be crucial: unfortunately for the Blues, a trio of set shots went begging, which the Cats were then able to punish at the other end. Weitering continued his outstanding afternoon opposed to Hawkins, recording 19 disposals while keeping the forward to just eight for the day, but Cameron, Ollie Henry and Zac Tuohy all bobbed up as the Cats opened up a 33-point lead. The game looked over for the Blues, until midfielders Cripps, Matthew Kennedy and Blake Acres kicking four goals, with back-to-back goals inside a minute from the wingman bringing the Blues within single digits and on the cusp of a miraculous comeback. However, it wasn’t to be, with a late Cameron goal sealing a Geelong win in front of a massive 87,775 people at the home of football.

GEELONG      5.2     10.4     13.9        18.10 (108)
CARLTON       2.8     6.9       11.10      15.15 (105)

GOALS
Carlton: Acres 2, Cripps 2, Curnow 2, E.Hollands 2, McKay 2, Boyd, Carroll, Cottrell, Kennedy

BESTS
Carlton: Weitering, Cripps, Pittonet, Walsh, Acres, E.Hollands, McKay