THE CARLTON Reserves secured their first win of the season in the Good Friday clash with North Melbourne at Arden Street.

After a competitive first quarter and some slippery conditions, the Blues were able to take control. They pilled seven goals in the third quarter, helping them seal their 52-point victory.

Paddy Dow (31 disposals) and Jaxon Binns (28 disposals) were again impressive in their midfield presence, kicking two goals each. Ben Ronke led the team with four goals, and Brodie Kemp (32 disposals, 13 marks) had a strong impact down back.

Quarter one

As the siren went to start the first quarter, the rain came bucketing down at Arden Street Oval. North Melbourne scored the first goal of the match three minutes in, but Brodie Kemp held up well down back, taking intercept marks to stop the Roos’ forward forays. Patrick Dozzi and Liam McMahon’s defensive abilities were on show, with a couple of hard tackles each, before Mitch Moschetti snagged Carlton’s first goal from 50 metres out. The Blues’ midfielders were getting on top, with Dow and Lachie Fogarty involved, but the slippery conditions made it tough for the Blues to convert. Ned Cahill gave some spark in the forward line, scoring the Blues’ second goal 21 minutes in, but North responded quickly, seeing the Blues lead by three points at the end of the final charge.

Quarter two

The rain finally started to quiet down, and Ben Ronke kicked the first of the term seven minutes in. Cahill and Kemp picked up where they left off, and Alex Mirkov starting to gain ascendancy in the ruck, creating opportunities for the midfield. Dom Akuei was aggressive in defence, while Jaxon Binns was busy between the arcs, converting his first goal of the match with a stunning snap before Ronke booted his second from a set shot shortly after. Dozzi’s speed was on display, weaving his way out of trouble, with Fogarty and Lachie Plowman continuing to work the ball nicely. Carlton’s defence was able to keep the Roos goalless in the second quarter, leading by 20 points at the main break.

Quarter three

Carlton came out firing, showing its authority with a seven-goal quarter. Moschetti collected his second, and Ronke created a carbon copy of his first goal from 50 metres out to get his third. Kemp and Plowman were combative in defence, continuing to be solid in the back line, while Luke Parks didn’t go unnoticed, taking some strong intercept marks. North Melbourne only converted one goal in the third quarter, with the Blues taking control of the contest. Dow, Harry Lemmey (two goals) and O’Keeffe all hit the scoreboard, and a 50-metre penalty late in the quarter had Binns collect his second.

Quarter four

Ben Ronke opened the final charge kicking his fourth goal of the match. With the aid of the breeze, most of the quarter largely lived in North Melbourne’s forward half, kicking three goals. However, the damage had largely been done. Heath Ramshaw and Lachlan Swaney fought until the final siren, while Dow continued his strong showing in the midfield, scoring his second just before the siren.

NORTH MELBOURNE       2.2      2.6     3.9         6.10 (46)
CARLTON RESERVES       2.5      5.8     12.10     14.14 (98)

GOALS
Carlton: Ronke 4, Binns 2, Dow 2, Lemmey 2, Moschetti 2, Cahill, O’Keeffe

BESTS
Carlton: Dow, Kemp, Ronke, Binns, Fogarty, Ramshaw

Samantha Smith is a student at La Trobe University, undergoing her Bachelor of Media and Communications (Sports Journalism). She is currently undertaking an internship at the Carlton Football Club as part of its partnership with La Trobe University.