THE CARLTON Reserves battled hard in blustery conditions on Sunday afternoon, seeing but ultimately fell by 20 points to Williamstown at DSV Stadium.
The Blues hit the ground running, kicking out to a 17-point lead at the end of the first quarter in a game dictated by the breeze. The last quarter saw a few lead changes and physical football, but the Seagulls were able to secure the win at home.
Caleb Marchbank made an impact in his first game of the season, getting through unscathed and working his way back in nicely in limited game time. In his first game back after a concussion layoff, Tom De Koning collected 23 disposals and 34 hitouts, while Paddy Dow (41 disposals), Lachie Fogarty (29 disposals, seven tackles) and Jaxon Binns (30 disposals) were all busy.
Quarter one
The Blues came out firing with Ben Ronke opened proceedings kicking the first major of the match, kicking with the wind in the opening term. Paddy Dow had hot hands on the footy early, and De Koning was dominant in the ruck. Brodie Kemp and Luke Parks were both combative in defence, but the Seagulls kicked their first goal of the quarter 15 minutes in against the breeze. From long range, Lachie Cowan booted a major shortly after, who had displayed plenty of run off a half-back flank. The Seagulls started to apply the pressure, but Northern Knights product Nate Caddy kicked one just before the siren to see the Blues lead by 17 points at the end of the first change.
Quarter two
The home side took control in the second quarter, kicking three consecutive goals in the first 10 minutes seeing them take the lead by two points. The football was in the Seagulls’ forward half for most of the quarter, as Carlton struggled to generate any rebound given the conditions. Lachlan Fogarty was putting some pressure on in the midfield with a few hard tackles while Alex Mirkov and De Koning continued to dominate the hit outs, but the Blues were unable to take full advantage, with Williamstown kick another goal late in the quarter. Jaxon Binns helped move the ball nicely and found Ronke who kicked his second goal, cutting the Seagulls lead to 11 points at the main break.
Quarter three
Some great ball movement from the Blues saw Heath Ramshaw convert a goal nine minutes in. Marchbank had a heavy presence in defence this quarter, applying the pressure and taking some intercept marks. Caddy took to the skies, taking a terrific mark before kicking his second of the match to give the Blues a one-point lead. It became a tight contest from there, with physical football from both teams. Fogarty had a strong second half, getting his hands on the Sherrin, while Dow picked up from where he left off in the first half. Ned Cahill kicked a smart goal 21 minutes in, but Williamstown was right on Carlton’s tail, with a 50-metre penalty saw them bring the margin back to under a kick. Kemp and Parks carried on down back, taking a few intercept marks to preserve the Blues’ narrow lead.
Quarter four
Williamstown came out hot, kicking a goal two minutes in to take back the lead. Harry Lemmey took a terrific mark and rewarded himself with a goal, but as had been the case throughout the day, the team with the wind - this time, the Seagulls - heavily dominated the quarter. While the Blues fought hard to generate some offence, the Seagulls’ defence held firm. A long-range goal from Williamstown at the 24-minute mark sealed the result, with the Blues falling by 20 points come the final siren.
CARLTON RESERVES 3.6 4.7 7.11 8.12 (60)
WILLIAMSTOWN 1.1 6.6 7.8 11.14 (80)
GOALS
Carlton: Ronke 2, Caddy 2, Cahill, Cowan, Lemmey, Ramshaw
BESTS
Carlton: Dow, De Koning, Binns, Kemp, Fogarty, Parks
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.
