CARLTON fell by 101 points in a defeat to Geelong in Round 7 VFL action.
Coming off a great win last week, a Blues side which made four forced changes - losing Jaxon Binns, Alex Cincotta and Sam Durdin on the morning of the game - were no match for an experienced Cats line-up, falling 8.7 (55) to 23.18 (156).
Lachie Young (25 disposals) and Zavier Maher (22 disposals) topped the disposals while Archie Stevens (five clearances, seven tackles) didn’t stop fighting all day, with Will White and Liam McMahon kicking two goals each.
Quarter one:
Carlton’s first Saturday game of the season up against Geelong at IKON Park was played under blue skies, as an intercept mark from captain Lachie Young looked to bring the Blues into the game against a determined Cats outfit. It was clear the Blues would have to fight all day to gain possession, often deep in the Cats’ attacking 50. The Blues’ first goal of the day came from Liam McMahon, on the back of slick ball movement down the ground, putting the Blues on the board. Carlton was able to make it a fight in the middle of the ground, winning centre clearances, but Geelong’s power around the ground was too much to handle. Lachie Young, Billy Wilson and Archie Stevens led the disposals for the quarter, with the Blues trailing by 24 at the first change.
Quarter two:
The Cats brought their all to the start of the second quarter, kicking two goals within the first five minutes. The Blues’ pressure was there, with the likes of Ned Cahill, Kristian Ferronato, Ashton Moir and Will White all giving their all, while Blake Kuipers stood out with a spectacular mark on centre wing. Lachie Young continued to be busy with 15 disposals in the opening half, looking to generate some positive momentum for the Blues, while White hit the scoreboard for the fourth consecutive game. However, six goals to the Cats for the term saw their lead extended to 55 points at the main break.
Quarter three:
Despite an early goal for Moir from a free kick, there was little respite for the Blues to start the third term. Six consecutive goals to the Cats - and nine for the quarter - continued to extend the away side’s lead, despite the Blues’ best efforts. McMahon kicked his second of the day following a strong mark, while persistence paid off for Luke Nelson to also hit the scoreboard. In a game where the Blues had no AFL-listed players with senior experience, there were learnings all over the ground, with youngster Harry Lemmey taking an intercept mark which set up Bailey Lambert’s first for the day. Geelong’s firepower - led by Gary Rohan (four goals) - was too much to handle, with the Blues trailing by 85 points at the final change.
Quarter four:
With the sting out of the game, the Blues looked to maintain control over the ball in the early going of the final term. Intercept marks from Billy Wilson (22 disposals) and Hudson O’Keeffe looked to set the Blues up offensively, while White kicked his second for the day. Good play from Luke Nelson set up an open goal for Ned Cahill, but the Cats’ attacking firepower couldn’t be stopped, with the Blues falling by 101 points at IKON Park.
CARLTON 1.1 2.3 6.4 8.7 (55)
GEELONG 4.6 10.10 19.11 23.18 (156)
GOALS
Carlton: McMahon 2, White 2, Cahill, Lambert, Moir, Nelson
BESTS
Carlton: Young, McMahon, Prout, Nelson, White, Wilson
