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Venue: Telstra Dome | ||||||||||||||||||
Date: Sun 20 July 2008, 1:10pm | Result: lost by 2 points | ||||||||||||||||||
Umpires: R. Chamberlain, C. Kamolins, M. Stevic | Crowd: 38,401 | ||||||||||||||||||
Goalkickers: Fevola 5, Betts 3, Judd 2, Kreuzer, Fisher, Russell, Walker, Waite, Hartlett, Murphy, Grigg 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
Reports: Nil | Injuries: Walker (shoulder), Fevola (corked thigh) | Position: 11th |
Game Preview
This was a ripper of a game which had the fans talking all week - was this a disappointment to have been in front by so much only to lose, or was this a great outcome given we almost beat a Top 4 team in an enthralling contest? Like many matches, the views will be diverse.For Jarrad Waite's 100th game, Carlton took on the 4th placed Swans who were without suspended forward Barry Hall. In a surprisingly high scoring match (given the style of football the Swans normally play), Carlton were intent on snapping a 10-game losing streak to Sydney. The Blues burst out of the blocks and maintained the ascendancy for the first half, getting out to a 5 goal lead twice but similarly to the previous week, the Blues missed many easy shots at goal early in the game and as such kept Sydney in the game. In the dying minutes of the first half, Heath Scotland would raise to ball to signal 'dead time' (as was the way in 2008) but the Swans nailed two goals to Jarrad McVeigh to get back to 16 points. It was a disappointing end to a good half of football.
The Swans surged in the third and took the lead by winning the first 6 clearances. Carlton appeared either asleep or bewildered as the Swans intensity rose to new levels. In a gripping second half, Carlton would fight back to grab the lead again, stretching it to 3 goals, only to lose the lead again. Ripper goals to Murphy and Grigg would be remembered, but the Swans would manage to get 3 goals up with a few minutes to go. When Eddie Betts ran into an open goal with 30 seconds remaining, he put the Blues within 2 points but unfortunately the time ticked away and the Blues were left to rue their early misses.
Best afield for the Blues was Bryce Gibbs, who kept dual Brownlow Medallist Adam Goodes to a paltry 7 disposals (including 4 clangers) while gathering 26 himself. Despite straining a quad muscle during the game, Brendan Fevola was very good for the Blues; kicking 5 goals and laying 5 tackles in a very good all-round game. Andrew Carrazzo had 29 disposals, including 10 contested possessions and 7 inside 50s. Marc Murphy also had a good game, gathering 24 disposals, including 10 contested possessions, 4 clearances and a goal.
All in all, it was a brave effort by the Blues. It was pleasing to see that even with Chris Judd and Nick Stevens failing to fire, the younger Blues were able to step up and give a top 4 team a run for their money.
This was Sydney’s fifth game in Victoria during the 2008 season and their third at the ‘Dome and was also Sydney’s first win in Victoria in the current season, (they also had their draw against the Roos at the Dome in Round 6). Their total difference margin from these 3 Dome games is zero (they lost by 2 points to St Kilda in Round 1). Carlton in this game scored the highest score against Sydney so far during 2008.
Team
B: | 32 Bret Thornton | 21 Mark Austin | 40 Michael Jamison |
HB: | 44 Andrew Carrazzo | 30 Jarrad Waite | 29 Heath Scotland |
C: | 6 Kade Simpson | 5 Chris Judd (c) | 3 Marc Murphy |
HF: | 1 Andrew Walker | 25 Brendan Fevola | 14 Brad Fisher |
F: | 19 Eddie Betts | 34 Simon Wiggins | 23 Adam Hartlett |
Ruck: | 28 Cameron Cloke | 4 Bryce Gibbs | 24 Nick Stevens (vc) |
Interchange: | 2 Jordan Russell | 7 Adam Bentick | 8 Matthew Kreuzer |
16 Shaun Grigg | |||
Coach: | Brett Ratten | ||
Emg: | 22 Shaun Hampson, 36 Darren Pfeiffer, 37 Jake Edwards |
Milestones
100 Games: Jarrad WaiteLosing streaks: Sydney extended their record winning streak over Carlton to 11 with this win
Brownlow Votes
3. Ryan O'Keefe, Sydney2. Darren Jolly, Sydney
1. Bryce Gibbs, Carlton
Best and Fairest Votes
43 Bryce Gibbs, 30 Marc Murphy, 29 Michael Jamison, 27 Eddie Betts, 18 Brendan Fevola, 17 Andrew Walker, 8 Heath Scotland, 3 Jordan RussellRound 15 | Round 17