Carlton 3.4 22 5.6 36 9.8 62 13.12 90 GWS Giants 2.0 12 5.3 33 7.3 45 8.6 54
Venue:	Marvel Stadium, Docklands.
Date:	Sunday 24th July, 2022 (1.10 pm).
Result:	Won by 36 points.
Crowd:	30,295
Goalkickers:	C. Curnow 4.1, H. McKay 2.3, M. Cottrell 2.0, P. Cripps 1.2, J. Honey 1.1, W. Setterfield 1.1, C. Durdin 1.0, J. Silvagni 1.0, M. Kennedy 0.1, Rushed 0.3.
Reports:	Nil.
Umpires:	Nick Brown, David Harris, Robert O'Gorman.
Injuries:	S. Walsh (ankle). J. Weitering (corked thigh).
Ladder:	7th.

Game Review

Blues salute despite early scare from spirited Giants

GWS was up for the fight early, but Carlton flexed its muscles in the second half to storm home for a 36-point win - Alison O'Connor,

Coleman Medal leader Charlie Curnow has kicked four goals to help steer Carlton to a 36-point win over Greater Western Sydney at Marvel Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The Blues led by just three points at half-time but put a break on the visitors during the third term and in the end, pulled clear for a 13.12 (90) to 8.6 (54) victory. The result improves Carlton's record to 12-6, keeping it just two points adrift of the top-four, ahead of consecutive away games against Adelaide and Brisbane. Sam Walsh shook off a nasty-looking ankle injury to gather 31 disposals and seven clearances for the Blues and captain Patrick Cripps led from the front with 34 disposals, four clearances and a goal. Curnow and Harry McKay (two goals) were ever-present threats in attack as Jacob Weitering and Mitch McGovern, returning from hamstring troubles for his first match since round two, held firm in defence. Toby Greene could have put GWS in front midway through the third quarter but failed to score with an around-the-corner kick after marking 30m from goal on a slight angle. The Blues took advantage, kicking the next three goals in quick succession to give themselves breathing space. It was party time when Callum Brown dropped a simple chest mark in the Giants' defensive goal square and Josh Honey pounced to toe-poke the ball through for a goal.

Carlton put the result beyond doubt in a strong final quarter, kicking 4.4 to 1.3. Greene showed flashes of brilliance, using Lewis Young as a launch pad to take a spectacular mark on the wing in the opening quarter. He kicked two second-quarter goals and could have had a third after he was taken high by McGovern but his free kick sailed wide. The incident sparked a melee, leaving McGovern's jumper ripped and looking more like a cape. Moments later McGovern flew into a pack to contest a mark and was hurt, spending the last few minutes of the first half hunched over. McGovern played out the match and impressed in the backline. Adam Saad gave his trademark run out of defence and produced a highlight with his huge mark over James Peatling. GWS was well served by co-captain Stephen Coniglio (21 disposals, six clearances, two goals), Tim Taranto (30 disposals) and Harry Himmelberg (25). Greene finished with 3.2 from 15 disposals and riled Carlton players with a late spoiling attempt on Lochie O'Brien in the dying stages.

Toby doing Toby things
The Toby Greene show rolled into Marvel and he wasted no time putting on a Toby-like performance. The human highlight reel took a Four’N Twenty Mark of the Year contender in the first term, and almost followed it up with a rebel Goal of the Year offering just moments later. While he narrowly missed that goal after snapping from a crowded pack, he contributed a team-high three goals for the game. The enigmatic forward went on to be one of the Giants’ best in the disappointing loss, finishing with 15 disposals and five marks.

McGovern successfully returns
It may not have been a career-best outing, but Mitch McGovern made it through in his much-anticipated return to AFL football and will be all the better for the run. The Blues have sorely missed the 27-year old, who hasn’t played a game since round two after he was struck down by a hamstring injury, which later required surgery after he aggravated it at training a few weeks later. McGovern loomed large in the backline, taking seven marks to go with his 10 disposals.

Sam survives injury scare
Superstar Sam Walsh sent a scare through the Blues' camp in the third term when he had to be assisted off with what looked like a serious ankle injury. But you can’t keep a good man down, and Walsh not only returned to the fold, but returned in stunning fashion. The Blues ball-magnet was a clear best on ground, with most of his game-breaking exploits coming post-injury. Walsh finished with 31 touches - 14 of those were once he returned - and seven clearances.

Best: S. Walsh, A. Saad, P. Cripps, S. Docherty, C. Curnow, W. Setterfield, A. Cerra.

Blues get what they were after

Carlton recorded its 12th win of the season with a six-goal triumph. - By Rose Zarucky and Cristian Filippo.

Job done.
Carlton emerged with its 12th win of the 2022 campaign after a strong second-half showing resulted in a 36-point win over GWS. Challenged in the first half, the Blues produced eight goals to three after the main break to come away with the victory. Adam Saad - who produced a stunning mark in the third term - was brilliant on both sides of the ball, while the Blues' key forwards in Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay once again caused a headache for the opposition.

Quarter one:
It was a slow start for Carlton, with turnovers in the middle of the ground meaning they weren't able to record a forward-50 entry until the five-minute mark. As the quarter went on however, the Blues began to get the game on their term and played more cohesive football. Will Setterfield banged the first goal on the board with a remarkable snap from the boundary, building off that to produce an impressive quarter consisting of eight disposals. Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow both kicked a goal each, while Jesse Motlop provided some hot forward pressure. Lachie Plowman recorded three intercepts and four contested possessions standing strong down back, as the Giants struggled to hold the ball in their defensive 50. With a much more comprehensive finish to the term, the Blues took a 10-point lead into quarter time.

Quarter two:
Greater Western Sydney had the early territory, resulting in a Toby Greene goal to open the term. The Giants produced some clean and fast handball chains through the middle, while the Blues missed a few big opportunities in front of goal. Adam Saad’s penetrating kicks were of huge benefit to the forward line, resulting in three score involvements for the defender and saw him leading the metres gained on field. While McKay didn’t get the end on any majors in this term, he was a great outlet for his teammates, gathering seven involvements and setting up Matt Cottrell’s first goal. Adam Cerra’s tackling through the middle was ferocious, trying to break up the Giants flow, but two quick goals at the end of the term - with the away side leading inside 50s 19-8 for the term - saw Carlton head into the main break only three points ahead.

Quarter three:
The first part of the term was frustrating for the Blues, as they were able to dominate possession and territory but unable to make any major impact on the scoreboard. The returning Mitch McGovern positioned himself well behind the ball, while Jack Silvagni out-bodying Nick Haynes and kicking truly lifted Carlton spirits. It commenced a purple patch for the Blues, with goals from Curnow and McKay soon following before an opportunistic Josh Honey gave the Blues a game-high lead. It was at the source where Carlton got its game going, recording the majority of their scores through clearances. Despite being helped off in the hands of trainers, Sam Walsh made a remarkable return to produce 11 disposals for the term. However, the moment of the quarter belonged to Adam Saad, who produced a Mark of the Year contender with a stunning rise in the middle of the ground.

Quarter four:
The term started quietly, with a lot of end-to-end play, but a captain’s goal from Patrick Cripps gave the Blues a healthy buffer. Curnow delivered another two goals to bring his tally to four for the game, while a shrugged tackle and classy finish from Corey Durdin added another moment to the Blues' highlight reel. It was a professional term from the Blues, holding onto their lead while keeping their opponent at an arm's length by dominating possession and not making many mistakes with ball in hand. Four goals to one for the term meant the Blues came away with a 36-point win, doing what they needed to do in their last game at Marvel Stadium for the season.

Three things from the game:
1. There aren't many games where you come away with three votes and the potential Mark of the Year, but Adam Saad may have done just that. The rebounding defender was electric for the Blues, recording 25 disposals with 22 of those kicks. He operated at 92 per cent efficiency and recorded 581 metres gained to the delight of the Navy Blue faithful.
2. It was a welcome return for Mitch McGovern. Stationed behind the ball, McGovern - who was playing his first senior game since Round 2 - took seven marks and performed well in a defensive unit which performed well under duress in the second term. It was a much taller backline this week compared to the last time these sides met, with McGovern and Lewis Young both in the line-up after missing the Round 9 win.
3. It was a professional showing from the Blues, particularly late in the contest after being challenged. A feature of the last quarter and a half was Carlton's willingness and ability to maintain possession: it ended with the Blues accumulating over 400 disposals for the fourth time this year. Patrick Cripps was the most prominent Blue, finishing with 34 disposals and a goal.

Best: A. Saad, S. Walsh, H. McKay, P. Cripps, S. Docherty, W. Setterfield, L. Plowman, C. Curnow.

The MCG might not be big enough in round 23
The final-round clash between old foes Carlton and Collingwood has the potential to be one of the biggest home and away games in history. Both teams have performed incredibly well this season, exceeding the expectations of many pundits and fans, and look certain to return to finals action. The Pies are rampaging, having won 13 games, including nine on the trot, to sit fourth (they finished 17th with six wins in 2021), while the Blues have posted 12 wins and are seventh (they finished 13th with eight wins in 2021). Collingwood and Carlton both have a tough month ahead, but if the stars align, a double chance could be on the line when they square off in round 23. More than 80,000 packed the MCG for the two clubs' clash in round 11 and there will be plenty more than that in a month's time.- Trent Masenhelder

Adam Saad is in All-Australian form
Just in case there was still any doubt over Adam Saad's claims for a maiden Therabody AFL All-Australian selection, the Blues speedster delivered in another game-breaking performance against GWS. Saad's recent form has been quite extraordinary, but Sunday's effort was the cream of the crop. His 12-mark, eight-intercept and 25-disposal outing was only superseded by his epic hanger over Giant James Peatling in the last term. His trademark run and carry off half-back and superb delivery into the Blues' forwards turned the game for his side, which was threatened early by a buoyant Giants outfit with nothing to lose. - Alison O'Connor

McGovern pleases on return, injury concerns for star Blues

Carlton defender Mitch McGovern made his long-awaited return in the win over GWS after more than three months out of action - By AAP

Carlton coach Michael Voss hopes four weeks is enough time to get Mitch McGovern back up to speed for his side's finals campaign after the defender returned from a lengthy injury layoff on Sunday afternoon. McGovern got through his first match since round two in the Blues' 36-point victory over GWS, showing he has overcome the hamstring issues that plagued him earlier in the year. The 27-year-old took a heavy hit in a second-quarter marking contest but played out the game, finishing with 10 disposals and seven marks from 71 per cent game time. McGovern's focus now is to develop chemistry with fellow tall defenders Jacob Weitering and Lewis Young as the Blues hunt a top-four spot. "The time's going to be spent building that connection and those relationships," Voss said. "When one moves forward the other one's got to roll in behind, who takes who when, and that's just something he (McGovern) is going to have to take some time on. "We'll use all those minutes that we possibly can to try and build that over the course of the next month." Carlton (12-6) has just about confirmed their first finals appearance since 2013 and are within sight of the top-four. It faces consecutive interstate trips for games against Adelaide and Brisbane, but have some concerns over star duo Sam Walsh (ankle) and Weitering (corked thigh). Both players played out the match and were important contributors but will require further assessment. "I'm hoping that whatever (injury-related) momentum we've had go against us is starting to turn the other way," Voss said. "I'm not here to announce necessarily what he (Walsh) has done but we're hoping it's not too bad and that he'll be OK, both boys." Walsh hurt his left ankle in a Callan Ward tackle and spent time in the change room but returned to raucous applause from Blues fans, finishing with 31 disposals. "I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw him come back up on the sidelines," Voss said.

Team

B:	11 Mitch McGovern	23 Jacob Weitering	33 Lewis Young
HB:	24 Nic Newman	15 Sam Docherty	42 Adam Saad
C:	4 Lochie O'Brien	9 Patrick Cripps (c)	43 Will Setterfield
HF :	3 Jesse Motlop	18 Sam Walsh	1 Jack Silvagni
F:	10 Harry McKay	19 Corey Durdin	30 Charlie Curnow
Ruck:	12 Tom De Koning	5 Adam Cerra	7 Matthew Kennedy
Interchange:	20 Lachie Plowman	25 Zac Fisher	36 Josh Honey
	46 Matt Cottrell
Medical Substitute:	32 Jack Newnes
Coach:	Michael Voss
Emergencies:	8 Lachie Fogarty	13 Liam Stocker	2 Paddy Dow

Medi-sub: Jack Newnes (unused).

In: Lochie O'Brien, Mitch McGovern, Will Setterfield.
Out: George Hewett (back soreness), Will Hayes (suspension), Liam Sticker (omitted), Jack Newnes (omitted).

Milestones / Fact

GWS Giants Games Records: Oddly enough, this equalled our record winning streak against the Giants at..... 2! Yes we're aware this is a bad stat. Hoepfully can smash this one next year...
This was the first time that Jacob Weitering and Harry McKay have played in 10 wins in a single season.

AFLCA Votes

8 - Adam Saad (CARL)
6 - Sam Walsh (CARL)
6 - Patrick Cripps (CARL)
4 - Charlie Curnow (CARL)
3 - Harry McKay (CARL)
2 - Toby Greene (GWS)
1 - Harry Himmelberg (GWS)

Brownlow Votes

Best and Fairest Votes

Video

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Round 18 | Round 20