Goalkickers: Z. Fisher 2.2, C. Curnow 2.0, J. Motlop 2.0, H. McKay 1.2, J. Martin 1.2, P. Cripps 1.1, M. Owies 1.1, C. Durdin 1.0, J. Newnes 1.0, P. Dow 0.1.

Reports: Patrick Cripps was suspended for two-matches for his collision with Callum Ah Chee that left the Brisbane utility concussed, before being overturned at the Tribunal on appeal.

Umpires: Hayden Gavine, Brett Rosebury, Nathan Williamson.

Injuries: J. Martin (calf), L. O'Brien (head)

Ladder: 7th.

Game Review

Ruthless Lions hold off Blues in a thriller

Brisbane has kept in touch with the top four after securing a 33-point win over Carlton - By Michael Whitin.

Carlton's quest to play finals hangs in the balance after losing to Brisbane by 33 points at the Gabba on Sunday and now having a nervous MRO wait for skipper Patrick Cripps. The Lions played arguably its best football of the season in the first quarter, but had to endure a withering Blues fightback in the last before winning 17.12 (114) to 12.9 (81). Carlton trailed by 57 points at the final change and whittled it down to 15 with three minutes remaining before the home team steadied.

Brisbane thoroughly deserved its four points, dominating around stoppages (24-8 centre clearances), pressuring relentlessly and moving the ball with speed, leaving its top-four destiny in its own hands with two rounds remaining. The result leaves Carlton needing one win against either Melbourne or Collingwood in the final fortnight to lock-up a top-eight spot, and the Blues may have to do so without their captain. Cripps' fate lies in the hands of Match Review Officer Michael Christian after a second quarter incident left Cal Ah Chee concussed and out of the game. Ah Chee gathered a ball mid-air with Cripps leaving his feet and collecting the Lions' wingman high.

The Lions' midfield laid the platform for victory, led by bullocking ruckman Oscar McInerney, Brownlow medalist Lachie Neale (32 disposals), prolific Hugh McCluggage (28) and ever-energetic Rhys Mathieson (24). Zac Bailey was back to his damaging best with four goals, while captain Dayne Zorko (22 disposals) had maximum impact with his touches. Brisbane's first quarter was arguably its best 30 minutes of the season. Although some inside 50 entries lacked polish, the Lions barely gave Carlton a second to breathe, swarming on them in numbers and forcing a heap of turnovers in their forward half. Neale bombed truly from outside 50m, Zorko started a chain from half-back that ended in a Charlie Cameron goal, and when an uncharacteristic Adam Saad turnover resulted in a clever goal for Brisbane's skipper, the Lions were away.

They won 17 clearances to six and camped in the front half of the ground, deserving every bit of a 29-point lead at the first change. Mathieson was like a vice with his tackling, while Neale, Jarryd Lyons, McInerney and Zorko laid the foundation for a dominant opening. Carlton had 10 minutes of dominance following Cripps' second-quarter incident, kicking three goals and missing a simple set shot for a fourth to get back into the game. The Blues were out of the game for most of the day before a withering final term. They rolled the dice, took the game on and kicked eight goals to one to reduce the margin to just 15 points. Jacob Weitering was fantastic in an under-siege defence.

Patrick Cripps could be in MRO strife
The Carlton skipper will be more-than-nervous after his second quarter hit on Cal Ah Chee. The Brisbane wingman gathered a ball in mid-air, just as Cripps left his feet - not attempting to spoil – and cleaned him up. Ah Chee hit the turf immediately before being helped to his feet by trainers and assisted from the field. He did not return. Any suspension for Cripps would be a huge setback for the Blues with just two rounds remaining.

Best: J. Weitering, A. Saad, P. Cripps, S. Docherty, S. Walsh.

Blues fall to Lions

The Blues were outclassed by the Lions at the Gabba. - By Rose Zarucky, Carlton Media.

It was a disappointing game for the Blues at the Gabba, being defeated by the fiery Lions by 33 points. Despite slotting eight goals in the final term, Carlton’s start to the game - kicking just four majors in the three quarters - meant the game had been wrestled away from them. Jacob Weitering and Mitch McGovern defended strongly on a busy night for the Carlton backline, while Sam Walsh overcame a slow start to finish with 27 disposals.

Quarter one
Carlton wasn’t able to settle its game in the first quarter, resulting in just one minor score and no marks inside 50. The Blues' lack of efficiency - where they were unable to string together clean possession - was costly at the other end, contributing to three of the Lions' four goals. As Carlton’s defence looked directly into the sun, they held up well in the first half of the term to absorb the relentless Brisbane pressure. However, when the Blues had the ball, they couldn’t get any flow on their overlap run through the middle and couldn't Failing to register a centre clearance, the quarter was won on the inside-50 count, with the Lions dominating 21-8 as they took a 29-point lead into quarter time.

Quarter two
It was a better quarter for the Blues, slotting three much-needed goals through Patrick Cripps, Jack Newnes and Jesse Motlop – who avoided three Lions defenders to force the major. Cripps' workrate didn’t stop there, picking up eight disposals, seven contested possessions, four clearances and four score involvements in the second term. The game started to get physically heated, especially in Carlton’s forward 50, as the away side tried to claw their way back into the game. McGovern competed well with his intercept game while Jacob Weitering won his head-to-head battle against Joe Daniher. The time-on period was once again troublesome for the travellers, with the Lions responding to the Blues' purple patch with three goals of their own, resulting in a half-time deficit of 35 points.

Quarter three
Brisbane moved the ball easily down the length of the Gabba ground, despite the best efforts of a strong Weitering performance down back, taking eight marks and keeping Joe Daniher goalless. Quick play from the Lions through the middle resulted in easy shots on goal. Carlton had a few chances in front of goal, but was only able to convert once through Jack Martin late in the term. The Lions were able to generate scores from their defensive half, making the most of the Blues’ mistakes to kick out to a 57-point lead.

Quarter four
Putting the first three quarters behind them, the Blues didn’t give up, kicking eight goals in the final term to remarkably give themselves a chance of emerging with a result. Charlie Curnow and Zac Fisher (two goals each) were important in the Blues’ attacking ball movement, while Jesse Motlop and Corey Durdin - who was subbed into the game for Jack Martin (calf tightness) - produced moments of brilliance which led to goals. Bringing the margin back within 15 points with three minutes to go after a string of positional changes, the Blues had their tails up. However, three late goals in the closing stages to the Lions meant it was a 33-point difference come the final siren.

Best: J. Weitering, A. Saad, P. Cripps, S. Docherty, S. Walsh.

Team

Medi-sub: Corey Durdin replaced Jack Martin (calf) during the last quarter.

In: Caleb Marchbank, Jack Martin, Jack Newnes, Paddy Dow.
Out: Matthew Kennedy (concussion/jaw), Marc Pittonet (managed), Nic Newman (knee), Lachie Plowman (omitted)

Milestones

150 Games (AFL): Adam Saad
50 Games (AFL): Caleb Marchbank
50 Games (Carlton): Jack Newnes

Interesting Facts

1. Charlie Curnow is the first Carlton player to kick 60 goals in a season since Brendan Fevola in 2009.
2. This was the first time that Patrick Cripps has kicked 20 goals in the one season, previous to this season the best he had kicked was 13 goals in 2019 and 2021.
3. On the current 2022 Carlton Players list Jack Newnes became the 'most capped' player with his 205th League game passing the injured Ed Curnow on 204 games (all of which were for Carlton).

AFLCA Votes

9 - Lachie Neale (BL)
8 - Zac Bailey (BL)
7 - Oscar McInerney (BL)
2 - Rhys Mathieson (BL)
2 - Harris Andrews (BL)
1 - Jacob Weitering (CARL)
1 - Daniel McStay (BL)