WILL Setterfield was instrumental in the Carlton Reserves’ 32-point elimination final win over Collingwood yesterday, keeping their VFL final series alive in 2022. 

Setterfield picked up a game-high 40 disposals, as well as slotting two goals and delivering 13 clearances and six inside 50s, playing a comprehensive game for himself and his teammates. 

Playing in the AFL Round 23 loss a week earlier, Setterfield acknowledged that the loss was shattering, but it was good to bounce back personally against the Pies in a final series at the VFL level. 

“It was obviously pretty shattering last week, getting done by a point,” Setterfield said. 

“The VFL boys played a great game last week, just snuck in [to the top eight], and we came out with a bit of purpose today: It’s good to start right.”

The Blues led the entire game at Victoria Park, not letting mistakes from previous games haunt them, keeping an extended lead for the majority of the game. 

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VFL Elimination Final | Will Setterfield highlights

Enjoy Will Setterfield's standout VFL performance for the Blues.

Carlton dominated the clearance count, with Setterfield and Paddy Dow (33 disposals, six clearances) leading the way, giving the Blues a 44-29 advantage over Collingwood. 

Setterfield noted that in both the AFL and VFL sides, contested ball work had been a key focus for them, and to be on the winning side of the ledger in those categories is a big tick given the young makeshift ruck duo in Dom Akuei and late inclusion Josh Cripps.

“Contested footy numbers are big for us and we wanted to show that through the clearances,” Setterfield said.

“We had two boys come in the ruck that were only 19 or 20 so good to see them have a crack and I think it’s good to just build for next week.”

Facing Brisbane next week in Queensland is the next challenge for the Carlton Reserves, who will be looking to continue the first finals run for the VFL Blues in over a decade.

“We’ve got a strong belief, it’s always good to play in big games against Collingwood, it was another good game today and we’ve got a lot of belief off the back of today,” Setterfield said. 

“It’ll be good to get away with the team and get up to Brisbane and hopefully we can have a strong performance next weekend.”