Carlton 4.2 26 7.2 44 10.3 63 12.8 80 Fremantle 0.4 4 4.8 32 8.15 63 8.16 64
Venue:	MCG.
Date:	Saturday 3rd July, 2021 (7.40 pm).
Result:	Won by 16 points.
Crowd:	12,103 (Covid restricted).
Goalkickers:	H. McKay 3.1, J. Silvagni 2.1, E. Betts 2.0, M. Owies 1.1, P. Dow 1.0, T. DeKoning 1.0, M. Kennedy 1.0, S. Walsh 1.0, J. Martin 0.2, A. Saad 0.1, T. Williamson 0.1, Rushed 0.1.
Reports:	Liam Stocker reported for striking Lachie Scultz (Fre) during the second quarter, $2000 sanction with an early plea. Levi Casboult engaging in rough play with Alex Pearce (Fre) during the third quarter, $3000 sanction with an early plea. Nat Fyfe (Fre) charged with striking Lachie Plowman during the fourth quarter, $3000 sanction with an early plea.
Umpires:	Eleni Glouftsis, Robert O'Gorman, Nathan Williamson.
Injuries:	Nil.
Ladder:	13th.

Game Review

Teague Train back on track, Freo blows golden chance.
Two in a row for the Blues as Dockers fall short of claiming top-eight spot - By Nathan Schmook / Rose Zarucky.

Carlton's 2021 salvage mission is underway after holding on to win a thrilling and chaotic clash against a desperate and inaccurate Fremantle by 16 points at the MCG on Saturday night. The Blues squandered an early 28-point lead to trail by one point in the final term, but they held on to win back-to-back games for the first time since rounds three and four, winning 12.8 (80) to 8.16 (64). After a helter-skelter final term that saw both teams lose their heads for periods, the important win was sealed by young Carlton star Sam Walsh, who snapped a brilliant goal from the boundary. The victory steadies the Blues' previously tumultuous season while denying the Dockers a spot in the top eight in what was a relocated home game for Justin Longmuir's men. Carlton was led in many ways by the young players it has been waiting on to emerge, with midfielder Paddy Dow at the forefront with 22 disposals and a team-high eight clearances. Former Giant Matt Kennedy (22 and four clearances) was also influential in the midfield, while Walsh drove the Blues home with nine of his 25 touches coming in the final term. Jacob Weitering was a rock in defence opposed to Rory Lobb, while Coleman Medal leader Harry McKay was the game's dominant forward with three goals. The Blues built their 28-point lead early in the second quarter on the back of attacking ball-movement through the corridor and darting passes inside 50, with the Dockers fumbling and unorganised in comparison. Led by Dow, who had 11 disposals and six clearances for the term, they appeared set for a big win at the MCG after the game was relocated from Optus Stadium due to COVID-19 precautions. The Dockers' young midfield took over in the second and third quarters, however, to build a 37-18 clearance advantage and level the scores at the final change. The Blues kicked 2.5 to 0.1 in the final term, including Walsh's brilliant snap, to secure a win that keeps them mathematically in the hunt to play finals. The inaccurate Fremantle will rue more bad kicking after missing the chance to replace Greater Western Sydney in eighth spot. Ruckman Sean Darcy was brilliant with 40 hit-outs, seven clearances and a goal to continue a breakout season. Midfielders Andrew Brayshaw (28 and two goals) and Adam Cerra (24 and seven clearances) were also prominent, with the engine room driving the Dockers' periods of ascendency.

Quarter one:
It was a fast start for the Blues, who got the ball moving into their forward 50 straight out of the bounce. Carlton rued a few early opportunities but Matt Kennedy kicked truely to put the first goal on the board. Caleb Serong showed himself as Sam Walsh’s direct opponent, but Walsh’s ability to find the ball wasn’t halted working hard to help surge the Blues forward. Kennedy took strong marks at both ends of the ground. The veteran Eddie Betts slotted a set shot goal and Paddy Dow had plenty of the ball, with his clean hands and efficiency proving very useful to the midfield group. Alex Pearce did well to keep Harry McKay quiet, but the Blues were able to utilise targets like Jack Martin and Jack Silvagni in their forward half. Carlton’s defence rose to the occasion, with Liam Jones and Nic Newman providing consistent intercept plays, along with a strong defensive output higher up the ground from the whole team. Tom De Koning took his impact to the goal square to kick an exciting goal while at the other end, the Dockers could not make a dent on the scoreboard.

Quarter two:
While there was an injury concern for Patrick Cripps at quarter time, the skipper came out firing and set up a running goal for Matt Owies. Dow added to his already impressive game with a goal while, at the other end, Jones’ intercept marking prevented Fremantle from getting on a high-scoring run. Lachie Plowman and Adam Saad put the pressure on in the defensive 50 as the Dockers started to get more of it in their forward half. McKay slotted his first of the night after a superb delivery from Silvagni, but Fremantle put their foot on the pedal kicking easy goals to narrow the margin. Nat Fyfe and Adam Cerra’s impact through the middle helped the Dockers move the ball forward, while also halting the Blues' ability to move the ball as efficiently as they did in the first term.

Quarter three:
It was a sluggish start to the second half for both sides, with neither able to make a meaningful impact in their forward half. McKay kicked things off with a big contested mark followed by a goal as the Blues started to get the better of the possession. Lachie Fogarty did well to move the ball down the line while Jones and Newman continued to provide rock-solid defence. Silvagni’s second goal boosted the Blues' momentum and while they trailed in the clearance numbers, they were able to score more points from stoppages than the Dockers. Fremantle pushed Carlton back hard, narrowing the margin to single digits for the first time since the first term. The Dockers had the last ten inside 50s of the quarter, taking the momentum with them heading into the final term.

Quarter four:
Sam Petrevski-Seton was pivotal in the back half, clearing the ball cleanly and quickly. Rory Lobb and Fyfe were troublesome for the Blues and both were instrumental in helping the Dockers gain the lead. Tom Williamson and Saad had their hands full in the defensive 50, but were able to continuously rebound and ease the pressure from the Fremantle attack. The Dockers' speed was dangerous for the Blues, with last-quarter fatigue starting to kick in. While the Dockers’ kicking in front of goal wasn’t accurate, their kicking around the ground was pinpoint, leaving the Blues to pick up the pieces in the defensive 50. Betts slotted a much needed goal as the game got chaotic with both sides desperately moving from end to end. Neither side were able to get on top, both struggling for scoring opportunities. A heroic snap from Walsh on the boundary sealed the deal for the Blues, with all the momentum swinging their way for the remainder of the game.

Three things from the game;
1. When all the Blues get involved, the goals flow easier. The number of score involvements was high for Carlton, with Cripps, Martin and Silvagni topping the table with nine each, while Dow and Ed Curnow contributed seven and six respectively.
2. Nic Newman is a welcome inclusion to the Carlton backline after playing as the medical sub last week. With 24 disposals, 11 marks and five intercepts, he took it upon himself to clear the ball from the defensive half, with the help of Jones and Weitering, who had a combined 17 intercepts between the two of them.
3. Matt Kennedy is starting to find his feet at the AFL level. Kennedy started fast, and while he may not have been impactful through the entire game, he was there when it mattered in the final minutes of the game, keeping a level head and setting up the Blues forward line. He finished the game with 22 disposals, six tackles and four clearances.

Moment of the match;
Do you even need to ask? Of course it was going to be Walsh, with his ball recovery and snap on goal from the boundary in the dying minutes of the match, giving the Blues the finish they needed and so desperately wanted.

Best: P. Dow, S. Walsh, J. Weitering, H. McKay, J. Silvagni, N. Newman

Team

B:	20 Lachie Plowman	14 Liam Jones	24 Nic Newman
HB:	42 Adam Saad	23 Jacob Weitering	13 Liam Stocker
C:	18 Sam Walsh	9 Patrick Cripps (c)	32 Jack Newnes
HF:	35 Ed Curnow	41 Levi Casboult	1 Jack Silvagni
F:	21 Jack Martin	10 Harry McKay	19 Eddie Betts
Ruck:	12 Tom De Koning	7 Matthew Kennedy	2 Paddy Dow
Interchange:	5 Sam Petrevski-Seton	8 Lachie Fogarty	31 Tom Williamson
	44 Matt Owies
Medical Substitute	46 Matthew Cottrell
Coach:	David Teague
Emergencies:	4 Lochie O'Brien	26 Luke Parks	36 Josh Honey

Medical Sub.: Matthew Cottrell (unused).

In; Levi Casboult, Tom Williamson, Matthew Cottrell.
Out: Zac Williams (suspended), Marc Murphy (calf), Sam Docherty (ankle)

Interesting Fact

Carlton vs Fremantle was part of a double-header played at the MCG on this Saturday, this game was originally scheduled to be played in WA at Optus Stadium, but due to Covid concerns in WA it was rescheduled to the MCG. This game followed the Melbourne vs Greater Western Sydney game that was played at 1.45 pm. Fans who attended the afternoon fixture were required to leave the venue before it was cleared ahead of the evening game. The Dockers-Blues clash had been touted as an option for Launceston before the Tasmanian State Government shut the door on Fremantle due to Perth's coronavirus lockdown. Geelong was also raised as a possibility, however, the League decided on the MCG. The most recent double-header at the venue was in 1986 when Melbourne played Geelong and North Melbourne played Footscray at the MCG in round 19, the second double-header for that season.

AFLCA Votes

7 - Sean Darcy (FRE)
7 - Jacob Weitering (CARL)
5 - Patrick Cripps (CARL)
5 - Sam Walsh (CARL)
4 - Andrew Brayshaw (FRE)
1 - Paddy Dow (CARL)
1 - Jack Silvagni (CARL)

Brownlow Votes

3 - Sean Darcy (FRE)
2 - Sam Walsh (CAR)
1 - Paddy Dow (CAR)

Best & Fairest Votes

Sam Walsh 12, Jacob Weitering 12, Jack Silvagni 10, Patrick Cripps 9, Adam Saad 7, Jack Martin 7, Eddie Betts 7, Nic Newman 7, Liam Stocker 7, Liam Jones 6, Jack Newnes 6, Paddy Dow 5, Matthew Kennedy 5, Harry McKay 5, Lachie Plowman 5, Ed Curnow 4, Lachie Forgarty 4, Sam Petrevski-Seton 3, Matt Owies 2, Levi Casboult 2, Tom Williamson 2

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Round 15 | Round 17