In their first interstate game of the season, the Carlton Reserves produced a much-deserved win, moving from the bottom of the VFL ladder and securing their second win of the season.

Bringing back some crucial names to the line-up this week, familiar faces returned and performed brilliantly, ensuring the Blues were on the right end of a back-to-back contest with a 17.12 (114) victory over GWS’ 14.9 (93).

Will Hayes had a great first game back, dominating disposals (38) across half-back, while AFL-listed midfielders Jack Carroll (32 disposals, one goal) and David Cuningham (29 disposals, eight tackles) were busy. Jesse Motlop topped the scoring tally with four goals (two in the last quarter), with Will White (three goals) not far behind. 

Quarter one:

The Blues’ first interstate VFL game for the season was an arm wrestle to start off with at Blacktown International Sportspark. The game began with GWS taking control of possession, but Sam Durdin and David Cuningham both worked hard to get control back. There was good ball movement at times through the centre of the ground for the Blues, but found themselves unable to maintain possession for long periods against the Giants. Jack Carroll provided good pressure in the middle and got reward offensively, moving the ball out of traffic and finding Liam McMahon for Carlton’s first of the game. It was a high-pressure game in the middle of the ground, with Lewis Young busy down back as the Giants established a lead late in the term on the back of fast play. At the end of the first quarter, the Giants led by 12 points.

Quarter two:

Kicking with the breeze in the second term, the Blues came out firing, hungry to grab the lead an overturn the two-goal deficit. Billy Wilson and Jesse Motlop showed bright moments, while Will Hayes - playing his first VFL game in nearly two years - was excellent across half-back. The returning Blue found McMahon for his second goal, before Carroll assisted Motlop to give Carlton the lead for the first time of the afternoon. After Will White kicked the Blues’ third in quick succession, they had opened up a handy lead, but a back-and-forth contest with fast play through the middle of the ground saw the Giants take back their scoreboard advantage. Marc Pittonet was crucial in the ruck while Caleb Marchbank and Dom Akuei held up well in defence, allowing the Blues to settle. A strong mark from Harry Lemmey saw the Blues close the gap on the scoreboard, with the young forward ensuring team repeated itself to kick another minutes later. When Jaxon Binns broke through the middle to find Carroll, who weaved his way to goal, the Blues all of a sudden had a seven-point lead at the main break after a six-goal quarter.

Quarter three:

After a strong first half, the Blues came back with the same determination for the second half of the game. Ashton Moir recorded the Blues’ first goal of the half, and not long after, a good smother from Hayes and intercept from Wilson demonstrated the Blues’ commitment. Debutant Ollie Badr - playing as 23rd man – had some bright moments, but the Giants had more time in possession and were able to put it on the scoreboard with the wind at their backs. Carroll once again found Motlop for his second, while Cuningham continued to be busy offensively and defensively. Despite the Giants having the better of the term, it didn’t stop the Blues from putting their best foot forward and looking to take the game to their opposition. Hayes was excellent, recording 26 disposals to three-quarter time, as the Blues’ run down the wing ended in a goal to Will White: his second of the day brought the team back within seven points at the final change.

Quarter four:

Carlton started off the final quarter with an eagerness to get themselves back in the game, with a smother from Cuningham getting the ball back in possession. It ended with Jaxon Binns taking the set shot and scoring his first, before great play from Zavier Maher and Will White gave the Blues a lead after three goals inside the opening five minutes. Pittonet took control at stoppages, pushing the ball forward to end with Motlop kicking his third. The Giants started to press again in a game of momentum swings, but Binns worked hard defensively to take an intercept mark in the goal square. With the game on the edge and after two shots at goal, Ned Cahill topped it off on his third time of asking, giving the Blues a game-high lead. A strong mark from Pittonet allowed Motlop the chance at his fourth, which he duly converted, and with the win in sight, the Blues continued to fight as Luke Nelson sealed the result. The sun shone at Blacktown at the end of the final quarter as the Blues grabbed their second win of the season, defeating the Giants by 21 points.

GWS GIANTS                    3.3     6.3     11.6       14.9 (93)

CARLTON RESERVES       1.3     7.4     10.5       17.12 (114)

GOALS

Carlton: Motlop 4, White 3, Lemmey 2, McMahon 2, Binns, Cahill, Carroll, Maher, Moir, Nelson

BESTS

Carlton: Pittonet, Hayes, Cuningham, Carroll, Motlop, Le.Young