NINE goals in the final term fired the Carlton Reserves to a 46-point win at Box Hill City Oval.

The game was in the balance heading into the final change, but the Blues were dominant in the last quarter kicking nine goals to the Hawks’ one.

Will Hayes and Paddy Dow got plenty of the football, while Jesse Motlop and Ned Cahill were lively up forward, kicking four goals each.

Quarter one:

It was a scrappy opening to the game with neither team making a fast start. Eventually, Box Hill found the opening couple of goals, but they were answered with a Ned Cahill set shot to get the Blues going. Will Hayes picked up where he left off last week, gathering 12 touches in the first quarter.

Quarter two:

Carlton Reserves made the early running in the second term, with Ben Crocker kicking the opening goal from a few metres out. The Blues then found themselves with all the momentum, kicking five goals in a row to build a nice lead heading into the main break: a Cody Hirst snap and a beautiful running goal from Alex Cincotta were the main highlights from a fantastic quarter of football from the Blues’ perspective. Matthew Cottrell had a huge individual term and finished with 19 disposals in the first half, while Cincotta also had 13 disposals to add to his fantastic goal.

Quarter three:

It was tough quarter for the Blues, with the Hawks mounting a fightback as the hosts kicked to the scoring end of Box Hill City Oval. A Zavier Maher intercept in the front half set up Jesse Motlop’s first of the game to answer the Hawks’ early goal. However, the Hawks then piled on three consecutive majors to take the lead. Carlton Reserves steadied late in the term to halt Box Hill’s momentum and go into three-quarter time only one point down. Liam Stocker worked his way into the match in the third term, producing some important moments when the game was in the balance for the Blues.

Quarter four:

There was plenty to like in this quarter of football from a Carlton perspective. Motlop’s tackle inside 50 was rewarded and he converted the set shot to give the Blues back the lead, in what was the first example of Carlton’s small forwards capitalising in attack. Cahill slotted his third of the afternoon from the goal square, before Motlop unleashed a 55-metre bomb that bounced through to excite the Blues fans in Box Hill. The midfield was right on top in the closing stanza, led by Paddy Dow: the on-baller finished with 15 clearances for the day as well as two goals in the last quarter. Motlop and Cahill both recorded their fourth respective goals as the Blues romped to a 46-point win.

Three things we learned:

1. Liam Stocker’s return to football was a success, after he got through Sunday afternoon’s win unscathed. He patrolled the back half and racked up 18 disposals, including 15 kicks and four marks, with 13 of those coming in the second half.

2. Jesse Motlop continues to showcase his unquestionable talent. The mercurial small forward sparked to life in the last quarter, kicking three goals when the match was on the line to propel the Blues to victory in just his second senior VFL game. He complemented his four majors with 19 disposals, four tackles and five inside 50s, spending portions of the final term at the centre bounce.

3. Despite slow starts in both matches so far in season 2022, the Carlton Reserves have found a way to win comfortably in each of their first two hitouts. The Blues have managed just one goal in each of their opening quarters this year, however their ability to capitalise when having momentum has allowed them to pile on goals quickly and still kick a winning score.

CARLTON RESERVES        1.1     6.3     7.6     16.9 (105)
BOX HILL HAWKS             2.3     3.4     7.7     8.11 (59)

GOALS
Carlton: Cahill 4, Motlop 4, Crocker 3, Dow 2, Cincotta, Hirst, Maher

BESTS
Carlton: Dow, Motlop, Hayes, Parks, Crocker, Mirkov

Tarquin Oakley is a student at La Trobe University, undergoing his Bachelor of Media and Communications (Sports Journalism). He is currently undertaking an internship at the Carlton Football Club as part of its partnership with La Trobe University.