Game Review

Blues brilliant in big win
Carlton produced a strong performance in a gripping encounter to account for Fremantle. - By Cristian Filippo, Carlton Media

Carlton has produced a strong performance in a gripping encounter to account for Fremantle. Putting another big score on the board, the Blues took home the four points against the reigning premiers with a 18.11 (119) to 12.10 (82) victory. Carlton had contributors everywhere, with Sam Walsh (32 disposals, one goal) leading the way while Francis Evans’ five goals was a career-high. The Blues had to overcome a red-hot Dockers outfit in the early stages, who kicked the first four goals of the game on the back of efficient ball movement. The home side weren’t without their chances and looked dangerous whenever they went forward, but were unable to capitalise in the early going. While Fremantle kicked 5.1 early, the Blues’ first five scoring shots of the game only amounted to one goal. That soon turned, with Francis Evans getting dangerous at ground level and registering back-to-back goals. It was a fiery finish to the opening term with tempers threatening to boil over, as Sam Walsh and Jagga Smith led the way with class around the ball. Carlton took the lead for the first time in the second quarter when Brodie Kemp converted, with the forward - who is enjoying a career-best season - having a purple patch. Kicking two goals and assisting one more to Walsh, it helped opened up a lead for the Blues as Marvel Stadium started to rock. It was never louder than when Ollie Hollands produced the play of the day, nailing a chase-down tackle in the defensive goal square after a barnstorming run to bring the Carlton crowd to its feet.

Patrick Cripps’ physicality went up a notch and the Blues came along with him, taking an 11-point lead into the main break - Carlton’s ball use was a feature, running at 72 per cent kicking efficiency in the opening two quarters. With the game still in the balance, the Blues emerged from the half time with the same vigour, as Jagga Smith benefited from elite clearance work from Cripps to open up a game-high lead. Evans took his tally to over 20 goals for the year, becoming the sixth Blue for the season to pass the mark - it’s the first time the Blues have had that amount of players reach that total since 2001. A Cripps goal reinstated a healthy 22-point lead, but when Luke Jackson converted to start the final term, the game was still on edge. But from there, the Blues surged. Sharing the load inside 50 with 22 marks in their attacking zone, the Blues had options everywhere, as Evans made it a career-high five goals. Ben Ainsworth put the icing on the cake of an excellent individual performance with 20 disposals and three goals, in another key victory for the Blues under the roof leading into their wildcard final next week.

Blues storm into September with statement win against minor premier. Francis Evans kicked five goals as Carlton defeated Fremantle by 37 points. - By AAP with Sophie Welsh.

Carlton will march into wildcard round high on confidence after a stirring 37-point victory over minor premier Fremantle. The Blues signalled their finals intent in a commanding performance, overcoming an early four-goal deficit in the 18.11 (119) to 12.10 (82) win at Marvel Stadium on Saturday. A blockbuster knockout clash with arch-rivals Collingwood could be next, depending on other results over the weekend. Sam Walsh (31 disposals), Jagga Smith (31) and captain Patrick Cripps (24) were all at the forefront of the Blues' dominance in the engine room against a lacklustre Fremantle. Marc Pittonet shone in the ruck, Francis Evans kicked a career-best five goals, and Brodie Kemp and Ben Ainsworth added three each. The win continued Carlton's remarkable resurgence under Josh Fraser, who has piloted 11 wins and a draw in 14 games since taking the reins as interim coach when the Blues were reeling at 1-8. The 44-year-old was rewarded with the full-time appointment as senior coach this week and celebrated in style with another rousing victory. Fremantle's fourth loss of the season did not affect their position on top of the ladder but did come at a cost, with key defender Brennan Cox hurting a calf muscle early in the match. Justin Longmuir rested three of his regulars against the Blues, including leading goal-kicker Jye Amiss, and managed game time for the likes of Andrew Brayshaw, Caleb Serong and Hayden Young. But he would have a level of concern over the manner of the defeat, with the Dockers comprehensively outplayed by a far more energetic and hungry opponent. It was the biggest score Fremantle have conceded all season, resulting in their heaviest defeat. Young (23 disposals), Serong (23) and Brayshaw (21) battled hard, as did key forward Josh Treacy, who kicked three goals. Carlton coughed the first four goals but hit back hard in a feisty start that was littered with spotfires, piling on eight of the next nine majors to lead by 11 points at halftime. It was a defensive act that most excited the home fans, who rose as one to applaud Ollie Hollands' run-down tackle on Dockers agitator Patrick Voss in the goal square. Longmuir delivered some strong words to his players before they were allowed to head to the change room, but the message didn't have the desired effect as Carlton quickly re-established its dominance after the re-start and ran away with the result in the final quarter.

Carlton have now recorded the best record of any side in the AFL since Josh Fraser took over, winning 46 of a possible 56 premiership points from his 14 games in charge. The Blues now await the result of the game between Melbourne and the Bulldogs to determine who they will fae in the first ever wildcard final weekend. Carlton have dominated through the midfield in today's match. Between the 50 metre arc's, the Blues won the disposal count by 69, marks by 38, uncontested possessions by 53 and clearances by 13 in an impressive display. Fremantle become the fifth team in 2026 to lose the overall disposal count by 100 or more, the uncontested possession count by 90 or more and the contested possession count by 20 or more in a match. in the same game, joining Essendon, Gold Coast, Richmond and West Coast.

Big injury concern for Freo's ahead of finals
Resting multiple players for the match, the Dockers clearly had one eye already on September. But despite their best efforts to minimise injuries, they still finished Saturday's match with a major concern. Defender Brennan Cox injured his calf in the first quarter and didn't play again after the first break. While the Dockers have a week off before playing their first final, Brennan is a key part of their defensive set-up and they'll be hoping the prognosis isn't more than one week.

Voss at a loss
One of the game's most entertaining - and therefore polarising - figures, Patrick Voss plays with flair and just a touch of arrogance. That's why, with a goal to Voss' name already, Carlton supporters erupted in the stands when the man nicknamed 'the Prancing Pony' was run down in the goalsquare preventing a certain goal. Ollie Hollands' courage and commitment in chasing down the big forward was a good early sign the Blues had came to play.

Best: S. Walsh, J. Smith, P. Cripps, G. Hewett, B. Ainsworth, F. Evans.

Blues “embracing everything”, says Fraser. Josh Fraser's post-Round 24 press conference. - By Carlton Media.

Process, process, process. Carlton won't deviate from what has put the Club in the position to play a wildcard final next week, according to Josh Fraser. In a big week for the AFL Senior Coach, here's what he had to say.

On being able to stifle Fremantle:
“That’s been part of our growth, that we’ve been able to manage momentum against us at different times. We’ve worked hard on it, the players deserve a lot of credit. It felt calm in the moments they got a run on. They’re a great side, they’re going to be there at the pointy end of it all. “I thought we were calm and measured, understood what we needed to do and got to work. The group has displayed a high level of resilience that will hold us in good stead as we move forward.”

On the focus heading into the game:
“We approached the week around us a little bit more, acknowledging how good they’ve been all season. It’s always a challenge when you play a team that has been so consistent for a while and have a really strong system. Our main objective is to continue to build a brand that will take us forward, that’s what we’ve leant into. It’s been less about the occasion and the opponent, and more about what it looks like for us. “I think that’s why the momentum shifts against haven’t been as significant, because we’ve been able to maintain an identity around that. It was a really strong performance overall: I thought we managed the momentum of the game quite well, we had to embrace imperfection and we had an even spread of contributors across the ground.”

On sticking to process:
“The context of where we’ve come from and maybe the context of the Club more broadly, that maybe in the past it’s been outcome-based - I’m speculating a little bit, because I haven’t really lived it. We’ve got a method right now that is working for us, and I think if we stray too far from that, then there’s some danger attached to it. “As we keep building this brand and this identity, I still believe we’ve got to attach ourselves to a process more than an outcome. This appears to be a group that wants to embrace everything that comes their way, which I’m really excited about. Today was another example of that, when you’re playing a team as good as what Fremantle have been.”

On changing things heading into finals football:
“This is not built off emotion, it’s built off method. It’s built off a process of what it looks like from Monday to Friday. Our players turn up on Monday so eager to get better and find out who that looks. Our coaching group is doing an amazing job at facilitating that - whether it’s stoppage, offence or defence - and identifying parts of the game where we can keep growing. For me, that is the most pleasing thing. “We’re absolutely enjoying winning games of football, but nothing is guaranteed in a week’s time other than we can control what Monday or Tuesday looks like in terms of how we can turn up and get to work. There’s a lot of method attached to the results over the past 13 or 14 weeks.”

On emerging from the game injury-free:
“We did. We got through unscathed: late in the game, we had the luxury of sitting a few players for an extended period of time. Our boys are in reasonably good health. On managing Jacob Weitering late: “We had communication with our high performance staff that we’ve got this little window to look after a couple. He wasn’t the only one. He’s had an indifferent year in terms of being available, we took the opportunity to give him a bit more of a rest late in the game.”

On potential returns next week:
“Hopefully. There’s clearly some work in front of those guys before selection, but Haynes and Hayward are tracking the right way.”

On Marc Pittonet’s 100th game:
“He was outstanding, he’s been such a strong contributor for us over the course of the season. He’s a great competitor, the boys love playing with him - he’s reliable and durable and he’s a great character around the group, 100 games is worth acknowledging. The boys were quite excited to be part of that milestone for him.”

On extra shoutouts:
“Other parts of the game I loved, Talor Byrne is an example. Not huge possessions, particularly in the first half, but gee he had some really important moments for us. Ollie Hollands comes into the team and has an amazing rundown tackle in the goal square. “We’re getting moments where players are standing up and the spread of contributors has been pleasing in that regard. It’s not always through weight of possessions, it’s about actions and deeds. That part of our identity is growing.”

On Francis Evans’ five goals:
“In terms of loving players to coach, he’s one of those guys. He’s so reliable, he’ll do what needs to be done for the team and then he gets the reward like he did today. He’s just a great teammate for the players: he applies pressure, he’s so connected to system. It was nice to see him get some reward.”

On taking the chance to reflect:
“There’s still a job in front of us. I can’t speak for the players and what they reflect on away from the Club, but we embrace everything in terms of what’s upcoming. “We’ll keep learning the lessons from how we’ve got here, I think that’s important because we’ll continue to grow and evolve our style. But I don’t think anyone has had a complete stop and reflection on how we’ve got to this point, it’s about what’s next and how we attack that.”

In: Lewis Young, Oliver Hollands
Out: Will Hayward (ankle), Nick Haynes (ankle)

Milestones

100 Games (AFL): Marc Pittonet.
50 Goals: Brodie Kemp
Rising Star Nominee: Billy Wilson

Interesting Facts

1. Francis Evans kicked a career high 5 goals.
2. This was Josh Fraser's first official game as coach after he was appointed as the full-time coach during the week.
3. This is these teams' first meeting at Marvel Stadium since Round 15, 2022, and the third time since 2018. While the Blues have won the two most recent games, it is the Dockers on the positive side of the ledger at 4-3 before today's match.
4. This is the first time since 2001 that Carlton have six players kick 20 goals or more in a season (Kemp 36, McGovern 34, McKay 32, Ainsworth 26, Hayward 24 and Evans 22).
5. Francis Evans over the last 10 games has lifted his averages to 15 and two goals whilst possessing one of the game’s most dangerous kicks inside 50. Champion Data’s stats: Since Rd 15, he is the No.3 rated small forward in the competition, and he has had the highest rated 10-game stretch by a Carlton small forward in over 10 years. Since Round 15, he has kicked 17 goals, he has recorded 16 score assists, and he is top six in the competition in assists in that period of time.

Free Kicks

Carlton 14
Fremantle 16

Carlton finished the home and away season with 430 Free Kicks, with 424 Against. (Not official AFL figures)

Umpires

Andrew Stephens, Alex Whetton, Brent Wallace, Nicholas McGinness.

Front Runners

1. Oliver Hollands 14.6km
2. Adam Cerra 13.9km
2. Cooper Lord 13.9km
3. Patrick Voss (Fremantle) 13.8km
4. Oscar McDonald (Fremantle) 13.7km

Disposal Efficiency

1. Jacob Weitering 100%
2. Harry Dean 92%
3. Francis Evans 91%
4. Billy Wilson 89%

AFLCA Votes

9 - Sam Walsh (CARL)
7 - Francis Evans (CARL)
7 - Jagga Smith (CARL)
4 - Ben Ainsworth (CARL)
3 - Oliver Florent (CARL)

Brownlow Votes

3 Jagga Smith
2 Ben Ainsworth
1 Sam Walsh

Best and Fairest Votes