IT WAS a disappointing game for the Blues at the Gabba, being defeated by the fiery Lions by 33 points.

Despite slotting eight goals in the final term, Carlton’s start to the game - kicking just four majors in the three quarters - meant the game had been wrestled away from them.

Jacob Weitering and Mitch McGovern defended strongly on a busy night for the Carlton backline, while Sam Walsh overcame a slow start to finish with 27 disposals.

Quarter one 

Carlton wasn’t able to settle its game in the first quarter, resulting in just one minor score and no marks inside 50. The Blues' lack of efficiency - where they were unable to string together clean possession - was costly at the other end, contributing to three of the Lions' four goals. As Carlton’s defence looked directly into the sun, they held up well in the first half of the term to absorb the relentless Brisbane pressure. However, when the Blues had the ball, they couldn’t get any flow on their overlap run through the middle and couldn't Failing to register a centre clearance, the quarter was won on the inside-50 count, with the Lions dominating 21-8 as they took a 29-point lead into quarter time. 

Quarter two

It was a better quarter for the Blues, slotting three much-needed goals through Patrick Cripps, Jack Newnes and Jesse Motlop – who avoided three Lions defenders to force the major. Cripps' workrate didn’t stop there, picking up eight disposals, seven contested possessions, four clearances and four score involvements in the second term. The game started to get physically heated, especially in Carlton’s forward 50, as the away side tried to claw their way back into the game. McGovern competed well with his intercept game while Jacob Weitering won his head-to-head battle against Joe Daniher. The time-on period was once again troublesome for the travellers, with the Lions responding to the Blues' purple patch with three goals of their own, resulting in a half-time deficit of 35 points. 

Quarter three 

Brisbane moved the ball easily down the length of the Gabba ground, despite the best efforts of a strong Weitering performance down back,  taking eight marks and keeping Joe Daniher goalless. Quick play from the Lions through the middle resulted in easy shots on goal. Carlton had a few chances in front of goal, but was only able to convert once through Jack Martin late in the term. The Lions were able to generate scores from their defensive half, making the most of the Blues’ mistakes to kick out to a 57-point lead.

Quarter four 

Putting the first three quarters behind them, the Blues didn’t give up, kicking eight goals in the final term to remarkably give themselves a chance of emerging with a result. Charlie Curnow and Zac Fisher (two goals each) were important in the Blues’ attacking ball movement, while Jesse Motlop and Corey Durdin - who was subbed into the game for Jack Martin (calf tightness) - produced moments of brilliance which led to goals. Bringing the margin back within 15 points with three minutes to go after a string of positional changes, the Blues had their tails up. However, three late goals in the closing stages to the Lions meant it was a 33-point difference come the final siren.

Match summary 

BRISBANE       4.6       8.9       13.11    17.12 (114)
CARLTON         0.1      3.5        4.8       12.9 (81)

GOALS  

Carlton: Curnow 2, Fisher 2, Motlop 2, Cripps, Durdin, Martin, McKay, Newnes, Owies

BEST  

Carlton: Weitering, Saad, Cripps, Docherty, Walsh

INJURIES  

Carlton: Martin (calf)

SUBSTITUTES  

Carlton: Corey Durdin (replaced Jack Martin in the fourth quarter)