CARLTON have fallen to Gold Coast by 31 points, after a confident Suns outfit poked holes in their winning form.
Patrick Cripps didn't return to the game after quarter time, while the late loss of Marc Pittonet was felt in the ruck.
Harry McKay was the only multiple goal kicker of the night, slotting two majors.
Quarter one
It was a fast start for the Blues at Metricon Stadium, kicking the first two goals through Charlie Curnow and Patrick Cripps within the first two minutes of the game. It was all the Suns from there, however, winning the territory battle and having nine scoring opportunities. Gold Coast's inaccuracy in front of goal early was a saving grace for Carlton, who struggled to win the clearances (14-6): the opposition's midfield brigade, led by Noah Anderson, was able to penetrate the Blues’ defence. Adam Saad was a welcome return for Carlton, providing intercepts and speed around half back, while Sam Docherty continued his impressive form in his best efforts to hold ground.
Quarter two
The term started much like the first ended, with Gold Coast holding possession in their forward 50. Cripps was subbed off early in the second quarter with a left hamstring injury, which saw Jordan Boyd enter the game as the medical sub. In the absence of Cripps, Carlton needed a lift around the ball, as the deficit ballooned to 21 points. Saad continued to provide a strong presence in the game, using his acceleration to tear through the ground, as well as leading the board with seven intercepts: three of those started chains to goals. It was Coleman Medallist Harry McKay who did the scoreboard damage, kicking two goals from trademark snaps, but a late goal meant the Blues trailed at the main break by 14 points.
Quarter three
Mabior Chol proved difficult to contain, kicking two goals in two minutes to start off the second half. Undisciplined actions in the defensive 50 hurt the Blues, resulting in two goals for the Suns, as cracks started to appear in Carlton’s confidence. After a few missed attempts, Owies who was successful in front of goal, as the Blues struggled to capitalise on a rare patch of dominance. Jack Silvagni battled manfully pinch-hitting in the ruck as Carlton attempted to tidy up its clearance work, but Gold Coast was cleaner with ball in hand and more physical around the ball as it extended the margin to 37 points.
Quarter four
De Koning kicked off the quarter with a much-needed goal for the Blues, but a Suns reply meant a comeback was off the cards for the Blues. Gold Coast's scores in the final term followed a similar trend in that they were generated from defensive 50. Hewett and Silvagni maintained their physical pressure through the centre, but ultimately, the Suns' clearance work was the difference on the night. A late goal from Fisher lessened the margin, but it ended in a 30-point defeat for the Blues: their first blemish of the 2022 season.
Three things we learned
1. Carlton felt the loss of ruckman Marc Pittonet tonight. Despite the best efforts of Tom De Koning and Jack Silvagni as support, Jarrod Witts largely dictated the play from the centre bounce – an area the Blues have excelled in over the past three games.
2. Back in the Carlton line-up and back at Metricon Stadium, Adam Saad was a welcome return for the Blues from AFL Health and Safety Protocols. The former Sun showed his class with ball in hand and battled hard all night, alongside a half-back line with Sam Docherty and Zac Williams that did their best to not only limit the damage, but get the Blues back in the game.
3. Carlton's catalyst for most of the season, the midfield contingent will have a big part to play in the coming weeks. In the absence of Patrick Cripps, the Blues struggled to get a foothold in the contest, despite the best efforts of recruit George Hewett (29 disposals, eight clearances, one goal).
Match summary
GOLD COAST 5.5 7.7 12.10 13.14 (92)
CARLTON 3.2 5.5 6.9 8.14 (62)
GOALS
Carlton: McKay 2, Cripps, Curnow, De Koning, Fisher, Hewett, Owies
BEST
Carlton: Williams, Docherty, Hewett, Saad
INJURIES
Carlton: Cripps (hamstring)
