CARLTON’S 2023 pre-season came to a close with a 43-point defeat to Sydney.
The Swans surged out of the blocks in Blacktown, using the breeze to full effect to kick out to a convincing quarter-time lead.
Although managing surges of momentum, the Blues were unable to wrestle back meaningful ground against the Swans, despite the best efforts of Sam Docherty (34 disposals) and George Hewett (25 disposals, 13 tackles).
Carlton will now look to Richmond in 13 days, with the season opener to come on Thursday 16 March.
Quarter one:
Kicking into the breeze, the Blues were under pressure early, with the Swans winning the contested ball and winning forward territory as a result. Alex Cincotta received a tough early initiation with some one-on-one battles against Isaac Heeney, with the first-year Blue battling well. After the two first goals of the day to the Swans, Charlie Curnow couldn’t capitalise on some good early work from Lachie Cowan, but Blake Acres snapped truly moments later to put the Blues on the board. Adam Cerra (eight disposals) worked tirelessly defensively to assist his backline, as did Ollie Hollands (seven disposals) in transition, but some quick goals from Sydney meant the Blues were in arrears. Three goals in the final minutes - the last through Lance Franklin, who had previously been well-quelled by Jacob Weitering - meant it was a 36-point deficit at the first change.
Quarter two:
After Errol Gulden once again opened proceedings from a scoreboard perspective, the Blues found themselves 42 point in arrears. However, the visitors dialled up the pressure and - with the aid of the breeze - began to pull back the deficit. A Charlie Curnow double sandwiched a long-range goal from Matthew Kennedy to get the Blues within four goals: some half-chances gone begging prevented the Blues from cutting the deficit even further as the rain began to fall. Positioned behind the ball, Sam Docherty was at his prolific best, generating the Blues’ offence to lead all teammates with 19 disposals at the main break. A goal against the flow after a 50-metre penalty broke the Blues’ run, but some crucial contested wins by Weitering against Franklin plus some hard defensive running from Blake Acres meant it was a 26-point margin at half time.
Quarter three:
Some transition football from the Blues gave them the perfect possible start to the second half, with Jesse Motlop getting on the end of some good work from Blake Acres to volley one home from the square. A goal from a free kick to Zac Fisher meant the two teams continued to go goal-for-goal in the third term, despite Sydney having what had been a decisive breeze up until that point in the contest. Kennedy continued to bring his physicality at the coalface, while Docherty - for the second straight week - started the second half in at the centre bounce after playing down back in quarters one and two. Carlton’s defenders held up well behind the ball, with Cincotta leading all Carlton comers for the term with seven disposals across half-back.
Quarter four:
Carlton wrung the changes at the final swap of ends, with Jack Carroll and Sam Durdin both being brought into the game. Some early opportunities went begging, with the Blues only recording four behinds from their opening five scoring shots, while the Swans kicked the first two at the other end. Jack Silvagni was rewarded for his hard work with a final-quarter goal, while Docherty continued to rack up possessions to break through the 30-disposal barrier.
Three things we learned:
1. It was a fine closing note for both of Carlton’s pair of early draftees from 2022. Brought into the Club in November last year, Ollie Hollands and Lachie Cowan have played both of the Blues’ practice matches, and continued with some impressive cameos on Friday night. Hollands ran all night to end with 17 disposals, while Cowan’s composure and physicality was on show in equal measure in the back half.
2. Carlton’s key pillars at either end look set for big seasons in Navy Blue. Playing three quarters, Jacob Weitering blanketed Lance Franklin, keeping him to just one goal in his time on the superstar forward. At the other end, Charlie Curnow - in the absence of Harry McKay - was as dynamic as ever, kicking two second-quarter goals while hitting the wings to finish with six marks.
3. While the Blues will look to the players still to return early in the season, they will look to embrace the lessons learned on Friday night in the season proper. The Blues lost the territory battle against the Swans, largely built off some early clearance dominance from the hosts. With two hitouts against top-four sides from last season, the Blues have had a fair litmus test with the season opener to come in less than two weeks.
SYDNEY 7.2 9.3 12.6 15.7 (97)
CARLTON 1.2 4.7 6.7 7.12 (54)
GOALS
Carlton: C.Curnow 2, Acres, Fisher, Kennedy, Motlop, Silvagni
BEST
Carlton: Docherty, Weitering, Acres, C.Curnow, Hewett
