THE Carlton Reserves succumbed to a nine-point defeat at Windy Hill in Round 12 VFL action.

Leading for the majority of the contest, the Blues fell behind for the first time late in the last quarter, and couldn’t wrestle back the lead kicking into the breeze.

VFL-listed Alex Cincotta was Carlton’s best, while Will Setterfield and Paddy Dow were prolific with 34 and 27 disposals respectively.

04:23

VFL R12 | All Carlton highlights v Essendon

Watch all the goals from the Carlton Reserves' Round 12 clash with Essendon.

Quarter one 

The Blues were fast starters with Ben Crocker picking up where he left off before the bye, slotting his 24th goal for the year from a tight angle. Harvey Gallagher put through the Blues’ second of the day – and the first of his VFL career - after a high tackle in front of goal to extend the margin to 13 points. Essendon then charged back into the contest with two goals of its own, before Ned Cahill took matters into his own hands against his old side: his first goal came from a quick snap after a crumb off hands followed by a long-range finish from outside 50 that skidded home. Brodie Kemp ended the term with a set-shot goal to give the Blues a 20-point lead at the first change. Paddy Dow and Jack Carroll were busy in the opening quarter, picking up 10 disposals each.

Quarter two 

It was the Bombers who owned the second term with the breeze at their backs, but the Blues’ back six managed to stem the tide for majority of the quarter. Essendon kicked the first of the term before a goal-saving tackle from Sam Durdin, in his first game as a Blue, kept the Bombers at bay. Essendon did manage to get within a goal, but a Jesse Motlop spin out of an oncoming tackler allowed him to set up Sam Philp with a handball and he steadied the Navy Blue ship. The Bombers managed to close the gap again to five points just before half time. Alex Cincotta had a big quarter with 11 touches to make it 20 for the opening half.

Quarter three 

The third term was more free flowing than the first half, with both sides trading blows to kick four goals each. The first of those for the Blues came from a Will Setterfield snap from just inside 50 that sailed through. A pair of Bombers’ majors were answered by a pair of Blues’ goals through Dow and Kemp, who was swung forward at different times throughout the afternoon. Despite Carlton having the breeze, Essendon just wouldn’t go away on its home deck, finishing stronger in the dying stages of the quarter to stay within single digits. Setterfield was a standout performer for the Blues in this term, with seven disposals to add to his classy goal early in the quarter.

Quarter four

The Blues attempted to shut the gate on the Bombers, who continued to surge with a home crowd and the wind behind them. Unable to make the most of some half chances in attack in the early going, Carlton - led by VFL-listed defender Stefan Radovanovic - battled manfully and held onto the lead in the first half of the term. However, once the Bombers got the lead from a counter-attacking goal, the Blues were unable to wrestle back momentum nor the lead, finishing nine points in arrears come the final siren.

Three things we learned:

1. The Blues can’t help but find themselves in nail-biting finishes at the moment. It was the fourth match in a row the game has been decided by a single-digit margin: unfortunately for the Blues, they’ve gone down in three of those.

2. After getting drafted to the senior side last week, Will Hayes was eager to perform at Windy Hill. He brought great intent right from the get-go and finished with nine tackles and 23 disposals, locking down a role on the wing for the majority of the afternoon.

3. Hayes’ fellow mid-season draftee was just as busy. In his first game for his new side following a whirlwind few weeks, Sam Durdin had plenty asked of him in an end-to-end game which saw both sides record over 50 inside 50s apiece. He finished the day with 14 disposals, six marks and three rebound 50s.

01:24

VFL R12 | First look at Sam Durdin

Watch the best work of Sam Durdin in his VFL debut for the Carlton Reserves.

ESSENDON VFL                  2.1     5.6     9.7        12.8 (80)
CARLTON RESERVES         5.3     6.5     10.10     10.11 (71)

GOALS
Carlton Reserves: Cahill 2, Kemp 2, Crocker, Dow, Gallagher, Maher, Philp, Setterfield

BEST
Carlton Reserves: Cincotta, Radovanovic, Setterfield, Dow, Stocker, Maher

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.