CARLTON has fallen just short of a miraculous comeback against Collingwood in a three-point defeat.

Trailing by as much as 32 points in the final term, a previously wayward Blues side surged home, but a shot after the siren from Mitch McGovern failed to score in the 12.12 (84) to 11.15 (81) defeat.

It was a frustrating night for the Blues, who were forced to defend for large portions of the middle two quarters. But led by Patrick Cripps (30 disposals) and Jacob Weitering (four contested marks, seven intercepts), the Blues rallied, only to fall in another close one to the old enemy.

Quarter one

It might have only ticked over to August, but finals football arrived early at the MCG if the first quarter was anything to go by when the two old enemies met. Pressure was fierce from the outset, with the Blues’ big guns returning to the centre bounce and looking to make a statement. Dominating uncontested ball in the early going, Carlton had the upper hand early in the contest as Harry McKay loomed large in attack. What was costing the Blues early was their inaccuracy, only able to convert five behinds from six inside 50s: the Pies almost immediately, as the returning Jordan De Goey got on the end of a Pies kick-in for their first score - and goal - 18 minutes into the game. Brodie Kemp, Mitch McGovern and Jacob Weitering all took their turn behind the ball with intercept marks as the Blues transitioned the ball well, but again couldn’t get reward on the scoreboard. Patrick Cripps and George Hewett were both busy with 11 first-quarter disposals, but when Nick Daicos converted from a handball chain, the Blues were suddenly a goal down despite eight scoring shots (all behinds). That all changed when McKay - in the dying seconds of the term - gathered, snapped and dribbled home from the boundary line in sensational fashion to draw scores level at the first change.

Quarter two

Collingwood burst out of the blocks to start the second term, quickly turning the even margin into a Carlton deficit through consecutive goals. The Pies had recorded two goals from six scoring shots before the Blues could muster a shot of their own accord, as the Blues were forced to spend large portions of the quarter in their back half. Nic Newman looked to provide plenty of drive and rebound in the Blues’ defensive 50, particularly with Mitch McGovern receiving treatment in the rooms. As the game continued to ebb and flow, the Blues looked to be right back in the contest when Elijah Hollands converted a set shot from an Adam Cerra assist, before a Lachie Fogarty smother and goal in front of the Carlton Cheersquad looked to give his side the shot in the arm they needed. The Blues were forced into an early change when Cerra was subbed out soon after due to a hamstring injury, as the Pies once again got their forward territory game going with 15-9 inside 50s for the term. Another series of costly misses to the Blues was made all the more jarring when Mason Cox converted from close range following a free kick as tempers flared soon after, with the Pies take a 13-point lead into the main break.

Quarter three

When the Blues returned after the major break, their task became a bit harder when Matthew Cottrell didn’t return from the second quarter due to a shoulder injury. When Jack Crisp and Will Hoskin-Elliott kicked the first two goals, a 26-point deficit was opened up and the Blues were in desperate need of a response to keep the game alive. A solo captain’s goal sparked the team into action, and the Blues’ pressure lifted up forward, directly leading to a goal to Lachie Fogarty. Jack Martin also found his range in his milestone game, bringing the Blues back within 14 points. However the Pies soon got their game going once again and late goals in the third term cost the Blues, with the Pies dominating forward territory once again for the quarter (17-9 inside 50s, 11-8 clearances). After two consecutive behinds for the Blues, bringing their tally to 6.14 for the game, a Hoskin-Elliott goal at the 32-minute mark saw the Blues trail by 26 points at the final change.

Quarter four

When Collingwood continued its run at the end of the final term, the game looked done and dusted on the scoreboard. But as we’ve come to expect from Michael Voss’ Carlton - and in games between the Blues and Pies - there was still more to play out. The Blues were undermanned in terms of personnel, with Charlie Curnow spending considerable time on the bench in the final quarter with an ankle injury. But trailing by 32 points, the Blues needed to find something going forward, and they did. On the back of contested possessions and clearance dominance led by Cripps (nine disposals, four clearances), Carlton surged right back into the contest, with a classy goal from Elijah Hollands triggering a mighty response. In a rush, the Blues recorded five straight goals, with majors in quick succession to wingmen Blake Acres and Ollie Hollands bringing the Blues back within a kick. Jacob Weitering set up a one-man wall on the halfway line, Matthew Kennedy fought his way through congestion and Nic Newman mopped up everything as the Blues threatened to spoil Scott Pendlebury’s milestone with an almighty comeback. There was one last chance, when Mitch McGovern - who was one of the Blues’ best with 11 intercepts on the night - marked 45 out just before time was out, but his resultant set shot after the siren failed to score as the Blues fell by three points.

COLLINGWOOD     2.2     6.6      11.9     12.12 (84) 
CARLTON                 1.8     3.11     6.14     11.15 (81)

GOALS
Carlton: Fogarty 2, E.Hollands 2, Martin 2, Acres, Cripps, O.Hollands, McKay, Owies

BESTS
Carlton: Cripps, Weitering, Newman, Hewett, E.Hollands, Walsh