Goalkickers: Walker 3, Murphy 2, Twomey, Scotland, Betts, Thornton, Garlett, Yarran 1.

Reports: Nil

Umpires: D. Margetts, S. Meredith, B. Rosebury

Injuries: Aaron Joseph (hamstring)

Ladder: 4th

Game Review

For the first time in many a season, this clash against old rival Collingwood was able to be billed as a block-buster with some legitimacy. At least you could expect first against fourth to be considered that way, regardless of how the game eventually pans out. Disappointingly much of the pre-match discussion was centred on who would be missing, with Carlton’s key posts Michael Jamison and Jarrad Waite absent through injury and Collingwood’s creative defender Heath Shaw suspended on match-eve after getting into hot water with the AFL for punting on an AFL game. With all the omissions weighed up the Pies still entered the match the warmest of favourites.

In addition to Waite’s absence with a long term hip injury, both Jordan Russell and Ryan Houlihan would be missing from the team when the Blues ran out. Russell pulled up sore, whilst Houlihan felt the blade of the axe. Back into the side came Ed Curnow and Matthew Watson (his second game in a row against the Pies). The other inclusion was mature-aged debutant Wayde Twomey who, at 25 years of age, was far from your standard skinny-legged, fresh-faced teenager. Twomey’s chance came after consistently good form in the VFL won him promotion to the senior list.

With the magical final term of the 1979 Grand Final playing loud and proud on the scoreboard screen pre-game it was hard not to feel the slightest hint of optimism in the lead up to the first bounce, but it didn’t last long. Collingwood leapt out of the blocks with two goals in the opening minutes and it was with a degree of luck that the Blues weren’t made to pay further. But for some poor usage and finishing near goal Collingwood could have done significantly more damage during their period of ascendency in the first quarter. That said, both teams were guilty of squandering chances near goal and butchering the ball in general play. Marc Murphy finally got the Blues on the board in the 14th minute when the Collingwood press revealed a crack. Murphy got clear out the back and was able to kick accurately on the run from the edge of the centre square. Twomey appeared to have dispensed with any first game nerves as he calmly slotted Carlton’s second in the 24th minute after getting on the end of a short clearing kick from Matthew Kreuzer. His goal made the difference just three points which had crept out to five by the time the quarter ended.

The second quarter was played in fits and starts as one side had a period of dominance which seemed to be followed soon after by the other doing similar. Neither side was really able to capitalise on their particular periods of dominance, though it was Collingwood still looking the more threatening of the two, without being able to assert themselves on the scoreboard. The Blues had to wait until half through the term before Heath Scotland bounced through a long range bomb that inexplicably went untouched. It was then another long gap between drinks before Eddie Betts marked a Chris Yarran snap in the pocket before cleverly dishing to Murphy who snagged his second from close range. That goal closed the gap and despite only having four goals in the half the Blues only trailed by 11 points and were still well and truly alive.

Andrew Walker manufactured an impressive goal in traffic to get the Blues away in the second half, but they just couldn’t continue the momentum as Collingwood responded quickly. Bret Thornton found himself forward again and claimed Carlton’s next major to once again bring the Blues within a goal, but the Pies kicked away again with the next two to stretch their lead to 16 points. Carlton then hit back with consecutive goals of their own (to Walker and Betts) before Collingwood closed out the quarter slightly the better. Jeff Garlett finally ended his run of posters (four in total for the Blues) late in the term but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Magpies extending their lead to 17 points at the final change.

Collingwood got the vital first goal of the final term after a disastrous kick in from youngster Watson to further extend their lead. The Pies seemed to be controlling the game though without being able to build on the lead. Walker finally breathed a little life and hope into the Blues with his third midway through the quarter but they weren’t able to get the run on they needed to bridge the gap. Collingwood’s lead was out to four goals as the quarter entered time on and though Yarran got one back courtesy of a Betts handball the Blues never really looked like threatening their hold on the game. The final margin (19 points) finished up being somewhat flattering to the Blues, though they were far from disgraced.

Subs: Substitute Paul Bower replaced Aaron Joseph late in the third quarter (29 minute mark)

Team

Milestones

Debut & First Goal: Wayde Twomey
50 Games: Aaron Joseph
Carlton v Collingwood: This was our 5th loss in a row against Collingwood; the first time since 1955 that we'd suffered so many consecutive losses against the Pies.

Brownlow Votes

3. Chris Judd, Carlton
2. Dale Thomas, Collingwood
1. Dane Swan, Collingwood

Best & Fairest Votes

Chris Judd 37, Kade Simpson 31, Bryce Gibbs 19, Andrew Walker 16, Robert Warnock 16, Heath Scotland 14, Mitch Robinson 8, Eddie Betts 5, Marc Murphy 5, Aaron Joseph 4

Ladder