Game Review

No fairytale for farewelling Docherty

A summary of the Round 20 clash with Hawthorn. - By Cristian Filippo, Carlton Media.

A poor first quarter has seen Carlton fall by 24 points to Hawthorn. In Sam Docherty’s final game of AFL football, the Blues weren’t able to send their retiring champion out on the note they were after in the 13.7 (85) to 9.7 (61) defeat. In what was also Jacob Weitering’s 200th game, the Blues weren’t at the races early, falling 40 points behind halfway through the second term as the Hawks dominated uncontested possessions. Youngster Harry O’Farrell stood up well under incessant pressure in the back half, with the Blues struggling to get a foothold on the game as the ball lived in their defensive 50 for large parts of the first quarter. With Harry McKay and Jacob Weitering both spending extended periods off in the first half, the Blues’ backline managed to stem the bleeding before late goals from Charlie Curnow and Will White brought the deficit back to 30 points at the main break. The Hawks kicked the first two goals to once again extend the buffer, before the Blues fans - and the AFL community - had the moment they wanted. Receiving a handball from Corey Durdin, Docherty snapped truly from close range to sign off with a goal - and a bow - to inject some life into the Blues. Carlton performed well at the contest but struggled to contain Hawthorn on the outside, with their spread of goalkickers too much for the Blues to handle. George Hewett battled manfully with 25 disposals and eight tackles, while O’Farrell finished with 19 disposals and 13 marks in another solid showing from the young defender. A late Harry McKay brought the deficit back to 24 points, but it wasn’t to be for the Blues and Docherty in the favourite son’s final game, chaired off by great mate Patrick Cripps and former teammate - now Hawthorn assistant - Kade Simpson.

Hawks put on a show early to spoil Blues great's farewell party

Hawthorn kept its top-four hopes alive with a solid win over Carlton - By Riley Beveridge.

You couldn't pitch a starker contrast between two sides. There was Hawthorn and everything that comes with it. Young, exciting and watchable. A side that, even when it's not at its best – and it wasn't on Thursday night – can still produce moments of vibrancy and energy. A club that symbolises intent. Ready to hunt, and ready to make another September assault across the coming month. And then there was Carlton. A side that is flagging, listless and playing without any type of confidence. A club that is ready for this season to be over, even though its most important months may still be ahead of it. A football program where significant change hangs over it like a dark cloud. Again. Both sides of that equation were on show at the MCG. Hawthorn's 13.7 (85) to 9.7 (61) victory wasn't remarkable for its brilliance, or its thrill. It was remarkable for how easy the Hawks made it look. Sam Mitchell's side never played to its lofty potential, but it didn't have to in order to notch the cushiest of 24-point wins. Not even the prospect of farewelling one of modern football's most inspirational figures in retiring champion Sam Docherty could get a rise out of Carlton. Neither could celebrating the 200-game milestone of one of its bravest recent players in Jacob Weitering. Instead, the Blues conceded the game's first four goals and seven of the first eight. Carlton had more inside 50s than Hawthorn to quarter-time. Yet it didn't score for the game's first 24 minutes at one end, and conceded from 70 per cent of its opposition's entries at the other. It was a sign of the side's dysfunction and disorganisation in every aspect of its performance.

That led to frustration among the Blues faithful, all of which was understandable for a club where question marks linger over the future of the coach in Michael Voss, its star player in Charlie Curnow amid highly publicised interest from multiple clubs, and one of its brightest prospects in Tom De Koning as he weighs a $1.7 million offer from St Kilda. Amid all of that, Hawthorn was even afforded the luxury of pumping the brakes on its hot start and beginning to enjoy itself. Calsher Dear took a spectacular leaping grab in the goalsquare, then repeated the trick a few minutes later when he dragged down a one-hander, while the returning Will Day couldn't resist the chance to get some airtime himself with a superb mark of his own. That all came within a first half where Hawthorn surged into a 29-point buffer by the first change, stretched it to beyond 40 soon after quarter-time, then cruised from thereon after. A rejuvenated James Sicily (25 disposals, 11 marks), a classy Jarman Impey (25 disposals, eight marks) and a busy Dylan Moore (27 disposals, six marks) were predominantly to thank for laying such foundations. In fact, that might have been the biggest indictment on Carlton's performance. While the gap was never unassailable, per se, the Blues never looked like being a realistic chance of reeling it in. Instead, their deficit hovered harmlessly on either side of 30 points for much of the second half as Hawthorn did the bare minimum to keep its foes at arm's length. Jack Gunston (18 disposals, three goals), Dear (11 disposals, two goals) and Mitch Lewis (14 disposals, two goals) all hit the scoreboard multiple times, demonstrating a new look in Hawthorn's front half, while Day's return from nearly four months on the sidelines was just another reason for Hawks optimism. Optimism, though, is a foreign word at Ikon Park right now. For as much excitement as Hawthorn fans can see in their club's future, there are more questions than answers in Carlton's. That was laid bare on Thursday night. A comfortable win for the Hawks in the end, led by their skipper James Sicily who finished the match with 25 disposals at 88 per cent efficiency, 14 intercepts and seven intercept marks. At the other end of the ground Jack Gunston was involved in everything, finishing with 18 disposals, 10 score involvements and three goals. In his final ever game, Sam Docherty finished with 16 disposals at 75 per cent efficiency, a team-high six score involvements and a goal. In his 200th game, Jacob Weitering had 12 disposals and a team-high eight intercepts.

Blues can't give Doc send-off he deserved
It was goodbye to one of modern football's most inspiration figures on Thursday night, with Carlton champion Sam Docherty playing his 184th and final game at the MCG. Docherty, who overcame three ACL injuries and two bouts of testicular cancer throughout a brave and courageous career, was honoured for one final time by the Blues faithful having announced his retirement earlier this week. Docherty, an All-Australian and John Nicholls Medal winner as the club's best and fairest, went out fighting. He finished with 16 disposals and kicked a goal applauded by all inside the MCG, with Carlton unable to play with the type of tenacity and spirit he's been renowned for throughout his career.

Best: G. Hewett, H. O'Farrell, W. White, P. Cripps, S. Docherty.

‘Thanks for the memories’: Hawks spoil Blue’s farewell as ‘frustrating’ question hangs over Carlton.

- Ben Cotton and Catherine Healey from Fox Sports.

Hawthorn’s finals hopes received a boost off the back of their 24-point win in Blues veteran Sam Docherty’s final AFL match - but they now stare down a horror run home. Adelaide in Adelaide, Collingwood, Melbourne and Brisbane in Brisbane looms ahead for the Hawks who will need to win at least two matches to stay in finals contention, such is the fight for top eight. Despite the emotion around the occasion for Carlton, it was Hawthorn who started with a bang on Thursday night to leave the Blues “all at sea” in a horror opening term. Carlton simply “couldn’t go with them” in a tough first quarter where the Blues coughed up six goals to one. And the Blues could never recover at the MCG, finishing 13.7 (85) to 9.7 (61) losers. “It’s disappointing - especially for a person like Sam Docherty in his last game,” Blues great Eddie Betts said at half time. “They’ve got to bring effort.” Docherty managed to get his moment to shine, nailing the snap late in the third term to unite the crowd at the MCG. Despite ‘Doc’s’ heroics at one end, it was star Adam Saad getting roasted at the other for a horror effort that led directly to a Hawks goal. Saad was accused of “jogging” after opponent Nick Watson, who burned him on the outside. “Adam Saad just did not want the football – wasn’t going at anywhere close to 100% to get that ball,” Jack Riewoldt said on Fox Footy. Despite the result, it was Carlton who won the second half - but it came too little, too late off the back of that woeful opening term.

Doc's Epic Moment in Last Match.
Take a bow, Doc. It wasn’t Sam Docherty’s night, but at least he got his moment in his final match. Docherty late in the third quarter capitalised on a deep inside 50, receiving a handball from Corey Durdin and kicking a goal as the MCG erupted for the largest pop of the night. “Thanks for the memories, you mighty Blue!,” Fox Footy caller Matt Hill exclaimed. The retiring Blue bowed to the crowd afterwards as he was mobbed by teammates far and wide and drew a round of applause from Carlton and Hawthorn fans alike. “Get to him, boys! They’re all coming, even Jacob Weitering from deep fullback,” Kangaroos legend Davis King said. “What a moment, a mark of respect. They go up the Carlton fans. Awesome, brings a tear to the eye,” Docherty called time on his career this week after 184 games, with the inspirational and beloved Blue overcoming three ACL injuries and two bouts of cancer. “If any man deserves to bow in the last game of their career, for everything Sam Docherty has been through, it is him,” Tigers champion Jack Riewoldt added. Docherty’s goal got the Blues back within 31 points, while he had a chance to get Carlton closer with a set shot moments later after drawing free kick. But his kick missed to deny the Blues the most emotional of emotional lifts, a key chance to get back in the game, and thus, a fairytale ending Docherty deserved.

But Where was Second Half Energy Earlier?
If there was ever a night for the Blues to find something extra, you would’ve thought they would for retiring club champion Sam Docherty. Throw in the fact it was Jacob Weitering’s 200th match and Harry McKay being back in the side and there was plenty of reason for optimism Carlton could at least pose a challenge of sorts. But it took until the second half for the Blues to play with an added level of energy — a half the Blues won. But Michael Voss’ troops ultimately left their run until too late as the 30-point half-time buffer proved too much to overcome. “What would be frustrating Carlton fans at home is we have seen this week after week after week with the same players,“ Saints legend Leigh Montagna bemoaned at half-time. “That’s why they are where they are on the ladder this year. That’s the frustrating part.” Hawthorn great Jason Dunstall was also critical of the Blues’ lacklustre first-half efforts. “If you’re ever going to have urgency, the build up to this game, with Docherty, Weiteirng’s 200th, getting McKay back into the team,“ Dunstall said at the main break. “I get it, the season is over and you’re not going to be playing finals. But there’s a carrot dangling here and a special memory for a player who has been one hell of a servant to this footy club. “And that’s the effort? That’s like clocking on, clocking off for work and going through the motions. No desperation.”

'There you go. Done': Blues star opens up on speculation over future

Charlie Curnow responds to rumours linking him with a move away from Ikon Park. - By Riley Beveridge

Carlton superstar Charlie Curnow has delivered an emphatic response to speculation that he has sought a move away from the club, saying his future will be with the Blues both next year and beyond. Curnow was linked to Gold Coast, Sydney and Geelong earlier this week amid the club's disappointing season, but refuted suggestions he had indicated a desire to leave Ikon Park and reiterated he won't in the future either. "I obviously want to be here," Curnow told reporters after Carlton's 24-point loss to Hawthorn on Thursday night. "I don't really want to make this about me right now, but I'm playing at Carlton next year. There you go. Done." Curnow has another four seasons to run on a lucrative long-term contract at Carlton that doesn't expire until 2029, saying he hasn't had to discuss his future with the Blues amid the attention that he has received throughout the week. "No, nothing has happened," Curnow said on whether he had told the club of an intention to explore his options. "I'm just putting all of my time into playing footy at this club for the next year and the future years." Curnow said the speculation around his future hadn't impacted on his week leading into the clash against Hawthorn on Thursday night, but said the attention had caught the interest of his family and friends. "I just reckon sometimes people around you can be impacted," Curnow said. "That's the thing that can be most frustrating as an AFL player, your close family and partners and things … it probably impacts them more than us." Carlton slipped to 7-12 following the disappointing defeat to Hawthorn, with questions still hanging over the future of coach Michael Voss and teammate Tom De Koning amid a significant $1.7 million offer from St Kilda. However, Curnow – who has spent the last two seasons as vice-captain of the Blues under skipper Patrick Cripps – said he was confident the side could turn its fortunes around quickly. "You see other teams in other years ride home strong," Curnow said. "We probably need to find a bit of form leading into next year. (But) I was sitting on the bench, looking across and watching Matt Carroll and Harry O'Farrell and having chats to them. Having those guys run around, having a bit of fun, I think that's going to hold us in a really good stead going into next year." Curnow, a dual Coleman Medal winner, has kicked 32 goals from 18 games this year – down on his previous outputs – following a summer where he had three surgery setbacks, two on his knee and one on his ankle. "It's been up and down, for sure," Curnow said. "It started off in pre-season, having three surgeries. That probably lingered around at the start of the season for me. I tried to find my feet, but I feel like as a team we haven't really found our feet also. That's been obvious. "It's nice to be able to enjoy something like tonight, though [Jacob Weitering's 200-game milestone and Sam Docherty's retirement]. It was a pretty awesome moment with Kade Simpson coming off at the boundary. It was pretty good to watch." With the Blues no chance of playing finals football in 2025, Curnow said the message to the Carlton faithful was to retain hope and to back the side to eventually improve heading into next season. "It's a hard one to cop for them, I know," Curnow said. "Just grow with us, have fun with us. We're trying hard out there. We do really want to have a crack for them. Just stick with us and something good will happen."

This is the biggest month of Carlton's season

Carlton might be wishing this season was over. Instead, it's perhaps about to enter the most defining month since the last time it was in this position. Unfortunately for Blues fans, that wasn't that long ago. At 7-12, the club's on-field campaign has nowhere to go. But, with decisions to be made on the future of coach Michael Voss and several others within the football department, star free agent Tom De Koning, and the potential compensation package that might follow his likely departure, Carlton has reached a critical juncture. Charlie Curnow went some way to easing one burden for the Blues on Thursday night – emphatically reiterating that his future is at the club when speaking to reporters after the match – but plenty of other headaches remain. Carlton simply must nail every decision from here, right through until November's Telstra AFL Draft, if it is to get the train back on the tracks by the time 2026 rolls around. - Riley Beveridge

Harry O

IF ...
there wasn't a lot to like about Thursday night's performance against Hawthorn ...
THEN ...
Harry O'Farrell, in just his fifth match, showed plenty. Has a genuine crack, and it wouldn't be easy playing in the backline for the Blues this year.

Team

B:	2 Lachlan Cowan	23 Jacob Weitering	26 Nick Haynes
HB:	15 Sam Docherty	22 Harry O'Farrell	4 Oliver Hollands
C:	13 Blake Acres	9 Patrick Cripps (c)	32 Matt Carroll
HF:	8 Lachie Fogarty	30 Charlie Curnow	19 Corey Durdin
F:	38 Will White	10 Harry McKay	43 Ashton Moir
Ruck:	12 Tom De Koning	29 George Hewett	5 Adam Cerra
Interchange:	42 Adam Saad	6 Zac Williams	3 Jesse Motlop
	27 Marc Pittonet
Substitute:	36 Cooper Lord
Coach:	Michael Voss
Emergencies:	40 Hudson O'Keeffe	25 Jaxon Binns	37 Jordan Boyd

In: Harry McKay, Blake Acres.
Out: Francis Evans (concussion), Flynn Young (foot).

Substitute: Cooper Lord (replaced Marc Pittonet in the third quarter)

Free Kicks

Carlton 23
Hawthorn 14

Front Runners

Oliver Hollands 16.1km
Blake Acres 14.8km
Nick Haynes 14.4km

Milestones

Last Game: Sam Docherty, Charlie Curnow (Carlton).
200 Games: Jacob Weitering

Interesting Facts

1. Jacob Weitering became the 40th Carlton player to play 200 games in Navy Blue.
2. The MCG was the venue where Jacob Weitering played his first, 50th, and 100th games.

AFLCA Votes

10 - James Sicily (HAW)
6 - Tom Barrass (HAW)
5 - Dylan Moore (HAW)
5 - Jarman Impey (HAW)
4 - Jack Gunston (HAW)

Brownlow Votes

3 - James Sicily (HAW)
2 - Jarman Impey (HAW)
1 - Josh Ward (HAW)