THE CARLTON RESERVES had another impressive win this week against Coburg Lions on Saturday afternoon at Piranha Park, winning by 52 points.

Despite the windy conditions, the Blues got off to a good start to secure a strong lead at half time. While the final term saw the Lions pile on seven consecutive goals to cut into Carlton’s massive lead, the Blues had already secured their fate to take away another big win.

Ollie Hollands (24 disposals) had a successful return after sustaining a collarbone injury in May, while Caleb Marchbank (22 disposals) was energetic down back. Jack Carroll and Jaxon Binns (one goal) were the most prolific with 32 disposals each, and Liam McMahon led the team with four goals.

Quarter one

The Blues opened up proceedings quickly as Ned Cahill found Ben Crocker who snapped truly. Hudson O’Keefe and Lochie O’Brien were dynamic in the midfield, and Sam Durdin’s presence down back was known early. Ben Ronke would collect his first of the match 14 minutes in, as the Blues defence held strong with Luke Parks, Lachie Plowman and Marchbank all involved. Coburg scored their first goal late in the quarter, and although Carlton had scoring opportunities to stretch their lead, the breeze made for a tricky assignment. It was in the last few minutes of the quarter where the Blues found some momentum, when a great transition through the corridor from the Blues saw the Sherrin land into the hands of Josh Honey, who converted his first. Ned Cahill followed suit with a clean goal shortly after, seeing the Blues lead by 23 points at the end of the first term.

Quarter two

The Blues started to take control towards the end of the first quarter, and continued to show authority in the second. Carlton was able to keep the Lions scoreless this quarter, as they pressed to stretch their lead. Honey set up his team nicely producing some clean deliveries, while Carroll had hot hands on the footy early. Liam McMahon would kick his first from set shot, followed by Binns snapping one from 40 metres out. Marchbank and Durdin continued to impress with some intercept marks behind the ball, while Parks didn’t go unnoticed applying pressure in defence. Cahill scored back-to-back goals, and O’Keeffe converted from at set shot as the Blues led by 57 points at half-time.

Quarter three

There was more of a contest this term compared to the rest, with Carlton kicking four goals to Coburg’s two. Ronke found McMahon who booted it long from the 50-metre arc to collect his second, but the Lions were right there to return the favour. McMahon would hit the scoreboard again but the ball saw a lot more of Coburg’s forward half this quarter, and their defence did well at stopping some of the Blues’ scoring opportunities. The Lions snagged another goal, as Jesse Motlop hit the scoreboard soon after, weaving his way out of trouble after starting at the centre bounce. As Coburg continued to press, Carlton’s defensive unit kept their composure, while Binns was more active on the wing in the second half. Ronke kicked his second with a classy goal from close range, seeing the Blues head into the final term with a comfortable lead.

Quarter four

As it was last week, the Blues went into the last quarter with a massive lead, but the Lions showed no signs of backing down easy. O’Brien continued to be lively in the midfield and rewarded himself with a goal, before Harry Lemmey snagged one in and McMahon converted his fourth. However, after the margin ballooned out to 87 points, the Lions piled on the next seven consecutive goals. Honey booted a long-range goal near the boundary line to break Coburg’s streak, and Ronke would collect his hat-trick late in the quarter. Even though the Lions came out with a big fourth quarter, the Blues had done their work, taking home a 52-point victory down Sydney Road.

COBURG LIONS             1.1      1.1       3.4          11.5 (71)
CARLTON RESERVES     4.6      9.10     13.10       18.15 (123)

GOALS
Carlton: McMahon 4, Ronke 3, Cahill 3, Honey 2, Binns, Crocker, Lemmey, Motlop, O'Brien, O’Keeffe

BESTS
Carlton: Marchbank, Carroll, Honey, Ronke, Durdin, O’Brien

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.