Game Review

Carlton would go into this match minus its two key forwards, in Fevola, due to suspension and Waite, due to a thigh injury. This would make the task of defeating the in form Hawks extremely difficult. Brad Fisher would return from the hamstring injury he received in Round 1 and kick the opening goal. Irish recruit Setanta Ó hAilpín, in only his second game, would also be required up forward but his lack of experience would make it difficult for him to have an impact. The Hawks kicked away with 5 goals to our 2 in the opening quarter, leaving the Blues with a significant quarter time deficit for the third week in a row.

After being beaten by Trent Croad, Lance Whitnall was switched forward and set to work in the second quarter to reclaim the ascendancy. A long goal to Whitnall from our very open forward line - or full flood tactics meaning no-one was in the Forward 80 let alone Forward 50 (depending on your view) brought us back to within 10 points at the main break. Andrew Walker was meanwhile given the task of quietening Croad and did a fair job.

Carlton could have, and should have, taken the game in the third quarter. From control in the clearances came multiple chances at goal, but our 2 goals 7 would prove costly. Add to that some uncertain forward entries in the absence of regular targets Fevola and Waite - and the Blues had worked extremely hard but did not have the result on the scoreboard to match their efforts. The Hawks were more efficient, adding 4.2 in the third quarter to have a 17 point lead at the final change, despite having 3 fewer scoring shots.

In the end, the Hawks ran away with the game in the last quarter, after the Blues appeared to be spent after the wasteful third quarter. Best players were Whitnall, who despite getting towelled by Croad in the opening quarter, led the forward line in the absence of Waite and Fevola, kicking 3 goals (and might have kicked 5, had he not had to go off with a bleeding cut to the head or taken a mark just one second after the 3/4 time siren); Ryan Houlihan with a career high 35 possessions and Nick Stevens with 28 and 2 important goals (right at times when the Blues were on the march), provided plenty of drive from the midfield.

Team

Milestones

50 AFL Games: Dylan McLaren

Brownlow Votes

3: Trent Croad (HAW)
2: Lance Whitnall (CARL)
1: Luke Hodge (HAW)