CARLTON has suffered its first blemish of the 2023 season, falling to Adelaide by 56 points in the Gather Round opener. 

Conceding eight of the first nine goals of the game inside the first 25 minutes, the Blues had some moments of promise throughout the night, but ultimately proved no match for the physical heat of the Crows. 

Sam Walsh had the most disposals of any Blue (25) in his return to go with a second-quarter goal, but there were too few contributors on the night for Carlton.

Quarter one:

The Blues were dealt a blow in the warm-up, with Mitch McGovern experiencing calf tightness and replaced in the selected side by Lachie Plowman. After two opportune goals inside the opening 90 seconds to the home side, it was returning South Australian Corey Durdin who got the Blues on the board via a running goal from just inside 50. However, it was one of few bright spots for Carlton in the opening term, who simply could not get its hands on the football as Adelaide dominated around the contest. Recording 66 fewer disposals for the term, it was left to Harry McKay from 55 metres to break a run of six consecutive Crows goals. It still left the Blues with a 38-point deficit to make up at the opening change.

Quarter two:

The second term has statistically been Carlton’s strongest in 2023, and that trend continued as it looked to force its way back into the contest. In the first half of the quarter, the Blues did exactly that, thanks in no small part to Adam Cerra. Moved into the middle after starting across half-back, Cerra recorded 11 disposals at 91 per cent efficiency along with three clearances to get the Blues rolling. The Blues dialled up their pressure around the ball, with Ed Curnow and George Hewett both recording five tackles for the term. Sam Walsh marked his return with a quick snap and goal, kickstarting a run which saw his team draw within 18 points after key talls Curnow and McKay kicked truly with left-footed snaps. A late flurry from the Crows wasn’t what the Blues were after, however, kicking the final two goals of the term to push their lead back out to 31 points. Josh Honey replaced Marc Pittonet (eye) midway through the second term.

Quarter three:

The Blues needed things to go their way in the third term, but the best they could do was just about break even on the scoreboard. The margin remained between five and six goals as the Blues and Crows went goal for goal throughout the premiership quarter, with Ed Curnow (nine disposals) and Blake Acres (seven disposals) doing their utmost to drive their team forward. Jesse Motlop produced a classy finish which has been a consistent feature of his game throughout season 2023, with shades of his dad Daniel in his celebration. However, it was one of only two goals for the Blues in the third term. Lachie Cowan produced an individual highlight against Taylor Walker, bringing the dangerous Crows veteran down in the dying stages of the quarter to give the Blues some life. 

Quarter four:

After another solid night after returning from suspension, Acres had a feel-good moment to kickstart the final term, recording his first Carlton goal. Less than a minute later, Durdin snapped truly to bring the Blues within 24 points: however, in a similar vein to the second term, the Blues held sway in terms of forward territory but couldn’t make it count on the scoreboard when they had the ascendancy. A Darcy Fogarty goal extended the margin back beyond five goals to effectively ice the game as a contest. With four consecutive majors, the Crows  kicked out to a 50-point lead come the final siren.

ADELAIDE     8.3     10.5     13.7       18.10 (118)
CARLTON      2.1     5.4       7.7         9.8 (62)

GOALS
Carlton: C.Curnow 2, Durdin 2, McKay 2, Acres, Motlop, Walsh