AN IMPORTANT run.

Zac Williams got through his first game in over 18 months, producing a busy performance as the Carlton Reserves fell to the Casey Demons by 29 points in a VFL practice match.

With Williams and Sam Durdin slotting into the Blues’ defence, there were some bright moments from the Blues, but a costly 10-minute patch in the third quarter ultimately cost the team on the scoreboard.

Matthew Kennedy was physical as ever in his first hitout for 2024, finishing with two goals, while Irish recruit Rob Monahan provided a memorable highlight with a classy major in the second term — his first of any kind in the Navy Blue.

Quarter one

It was a hot start for the Blues in the early going, with youngster Ashton Moir starting at the centre bounce and winning the clearance from the off. In his first game for over 18 months, Zac Williams (six first-term disposals) had a busy start with four disposals inside the opening 10 minutes, while Matthew Kennedy - who was also playing his first hitout for 2024 - opened proceedings on the scoreboard with a contested mark and long-range goal. A transition game emerged at IKON Park, with Dom Akuei having some promising moments behind the ball in the early going, with Jaxon Binns typically providing an outlet on the wing. After three consecutive goals to the Demons, some good work inside 50 from Irish recruit Rob Monahan - plus an unselfish assist from Jack Carroll - ended in Heath Ramshaw continuing his goalkicking form from last week. It saw the Blues trail by seven points at the first change.

Quarter two

After a half chance from Harry Lemmey inside the opening seconds of the term slammed the inside of the post, it was all Casey in the early going of the second quarter. The visitors kicked the opening three goals of the term, with the Blues unable to quell their run in transition. The Demons made the most of their forays forward and converted truly in front of goal, with the quarter largely played on their terms. A moment of respite came for the Blues off the boot of Hayden Gill in front of goal, after Lemmey provided a strong target on centre wing to open the game up offensively for the Blues. Jack Carroll got going as the Blues fought to get the game back on their terms, while Sam Durdin stood tall with a pair of crucial intercepts on the last line. The highlight of the first half for Carlton undoubtedly came as the second quarter ticked into time on, when Monahan gather on the half-volley, turned inside and finished off from 45 metres to the delight of not only his teammates playing, but his AFL teammates watching on at IKON Park. 

Quarter three

Jaxon Binns came from the ground at half time as scheduled for the Blues, with Carlton missing his run and carry in the third term. The Blues’ backs were under all sorts of pressure inside the opening 12 minutes of the term, with the margin opening up to 47 points. In the second half of the term, the Blues were able to get the game on their terms more than they had previously, but the damage on the scoreboard was coupled with some seemingly certain goals going begging for Carlton in the middle of the quarter. VFL-listed Liam McMahon swung into attack once again to provide the Blues with a target ahead of the ball, while Matthew Kennedy continued to try and lift his side both at the contest and pushing forward. Durdin continued to have an impact in defensive one-on-one contests, but the game was well and truly blown open on the scoreboard by Casey in quarter three.

Quarter four

The Blues shifted some magnets around in the final term, with Dom Akuei and Harry Lemmey swapping ends while Rob Monahan had some time on the wing at centre bounced. The Blues looked to overturn their disappointing their third term with almost immediate effect, as some clever work from Hudson O’Keeffe ended in a goal to Will White, before Jess Gedi converted truly from long range. Matthew Kennedy continued to provide a physical presence around the ball, as did Jack Carroll, having gone to battle with the likes of Clayton Oliver for Casey over the course of the afternoon. Kennedy reaped the rewards with a second goal from his attack on the footy, with Jess Gedi, Will White and Jack Maruff also hitting the scoreboard. Williams and Durdin finished their first hitouts unscathed and getting through their allotted game time.

CARLTON           2.2     4.4    4.7         9.9 (63)
CASEY                3.3     7.4     12.6       14.8 (92)

GOALS

Carlton: Kennedy 2, White 2, Gedi, Gill, Maruff, Monahan, Ramshaw