SAM Docherty emerged from his return match unscathed for the Carlton Reserves in their 39-point defeat to the Casey Demons at IKON Park. 

Collecting 38 disposals, Docherty was the most prolific player on the ground in his return bout, despite the Blues being outclassed by their opposition on the day.

Despite a late rally, the Blues trailed from start to finish on their home deck, falling 6.11 (47) to 13.8 (86).

Q1:

With those who ventured to IKON Park in attendance largely to see one man, Sam Docherty got going almost instantly in his first game since June last year. The No.15 collective five disposals in the opening four minutes of the game and started the contest on record pace, going onto collect 16 possessions in the first quarter alone. It was a difficult first term for the Blues with the backline under Casey pressure, but the home side showed what it could do when an Alex Mirkov tackle was met with a follow-up from Ben Crocker seconds later, resulting in Carlton’s first of the afternoon. However, the Blues ended the first term 25 points in arrears.

Q2:

While the Blues were sprung on the counter attack in the opening term, it was a scrappy beginning to the second, with numbers around the football and both teams unable to make the most of their chances on the outside. Set shot chances went begging from Crocker and Sam Philp in quick succession, which doubly hurt the Blues when Sam Weideman took his at the other end to finish with four goals for the half. From a Blues perspective, Jack Carroll - in his first hitout for the year following a calf niggle last week - got going, providing an outlet between midfield and half forward to get his side going in transition.

Q3:

The quarter opened with Matthew Cottrell converting a tough chance in front of goal, with his flying shot from 50 sailing straight through after a forward turnover. However, frustratingly for the Blues, they couldn’t get full bang for their buck going forward in what was arguably their best quarter of football: four consecutive behinds and consecutive goals to the Demons all but ended the game on the scoreboard. Jesse Motlop’s forward pressure lifted as the Blues worked their way back into the game, with Docherty chalking up his 30th disposal in the shadows on the final change. With the last kick of the term, the Blues went on the break through the middle of the ground, with Lachie Fogarty dishing off to Joel Trudgeon for his first of the day.

Q4:

The Blues’ midfield got the game on their terms at the beginning of the final term on a hot day at IKON Park, giving the forward set-up its best chance of the day. Joel Trudgeon became Carlton’s first multiple goalkicker with assistance from Sam Philp, before Lachie Fogarty - via his left foot - and Josh Cripps brought the margin under five goals for the first time since the opening minutes of the second term. A late double from the Demons saw the final margin lie at 39 points, with Lachie Plowman defending strongly throughout the course of the day down back in his first hitout for the season so far.

Three things we learned:

1. Hey, ‘Doc’, it’s good to see you. In a heartwarming return to action, Docherty ended the afternoon with 38 disposals, with his customary dash there for all to see in his role across half back. Unsurprisingly, the No.15 was breathing heavily behind the play on occasion, as he got through four quarters (including rotations) on a humid Melbourne day.
2. Two WA products once again showed promising glimpses in the Navy Blue. Jack Carroll performed strongly in the middle two quarters after a quiet opening, hitting his stride in his first hitout for the season. Similarly, Jesse Motlop once again provided cameos of his best work, hitting bodies hard and getting more prolific as the match wore on despite not troubling the goalkickers on this occasion.
3. A new playing list means the Blues are still finding the right mix, with a heavy turnover at VFL level and a new game style seeing the home side unable to fully capitalise on their chances. The Carlton Reserves got good looks over the course of the four quarters, but couldn’t take them when it counted over the course of the game sans a strong showing at the end of the third term and beginning of the final quarter. Having said that, that’s what practice matches are for.

CARLTON VFL               1.1      1.3      3.7      6.11 (47)
CASEY DEMONS          5.3     8.6     11.7     13.8 (86)

GOALS
Carlton: Trudgeon 2, Cottrell, Crocker, Cripps, Fogarty

BESTS
Carlton: Motlop, Plowman, Docherty, Fogarty, Glass-McCasker, Radovanovic