Back at IKON Park this week after a bye last week, the Carlton Reserves came out with a strong determination to get a win against Southport.

With multiple AFL-listed players back in the line-up this week, the Blues burst out of the blocks and produced a great first half, but couldn’t maintain their lead in another narrow defeat, falling 11.17 (83) to 10.11 (71).

The returning Marc Pittonet (24 disposals, nine clearances, one goal) was excellent as was Caleb Marchbank (19 disposals, eight intercepts), while mid-season recruit Cooper Lord showed promising signs with 19 disposals.

Quarter one:

The Carlton Reserves were back this week after last week’s bye looking to redeem themselves after yet another close loss. Round 13 against the second-placed Southport took place at IKON Park, where the Blues had a good start to the game with high pressure in their defence. An intercepted mark from the Blues saw Jesse Motlop kick the Blues’ first, with youngster Billy Wilson brilliant in the build-up. There was back-and-forth possession from both teams meant the Blues had to be up for the fight early, but eventually broke through with goals to Harry Lemmey and Rob Monahan. The Blues set up strongly in the midfield in the first quarter, getting the game on their terms and stopping Southport in their tracks. Sam Durdin and Caleb Marchbank held up well defensively, with Motlop showing up again at the other end to kick his second of the day. The Blues’ pressure paid off once more with Ashton Moir kicking the team’s fifth, marking an end to a great quarter as they took a 22-point lead into quarter time.

Quarter two:

The Blues’ pressure and defence didn’t drop in the early stages of the second quarter, with a great smother by skipper Lachie Young typifying the team’s effort. Zavier Maher kept the Blues’ momentum going, getting the ball forward at all costs before kicking the first of the quarter. Jack Carroll was strong at the centre bounce, while a great tackle from Marchbank and intercept mark from Akuei in the backline helped put a surging Southport at bay. With the Sharks pushing, Marc Pittonet stood up, winning a free kick and converting from close range to give his team a handy buffer at the main break. Carroll had more disposals than any other Blue with 16, while Wilson played one of his best halves of the year with 14 disposals and five tackles. At half time, the Blues kept their lead at 18 points.

Quarter three:

On managed minutes in his first game back, David Cuningham was brought into the game at half time and immediately made an impact, getting two touches right away and launching the ball forward for Liam McMahon to kick his first. Unfortunately for the Blues, while Cuningham came into the game, the impressive Wilson didn’t return after half time due to a knee injury sustained in the second quarter. Marchbank continued to lead by example in defence with an intercept mark on the last line, but the game had shifted after the break, with Southport dominating territory. Lemmey and McMahon worked hard to provide a target, while Maher’s effort didn’t waver, however the gap continued to close as the quarter progressed. After the Blues kicked the opening goal 25 seconds into the quarter, it was all Sharks from there, kicking 4.5 to two behinds as they took a three-point lead, proving to be another close game for the Blues.

Quarter four:

The start to the last quarter saw the Blues take control of the ball, with big efforts from Jaxon Binns and Sam Durdin trying to get the game on their terms. The Blues continued fighting down back as the Sharks continued to press, and Carlton’s grit was rewarded with Cuningham kicking a goal to even the scores between the teams and give the Blues a spark. Trailing inside 50s by 17, Marchbank and Lewis Young were busy to stop Southport from scoring, as an answering goal from McMahon at the other end kept the Blues in it. However, Southport retaliation and fought back with another goal, securing second spot on the ladder and handing the Blues another narrow defeat in season 2024.

CARLTON             5.5     7.6     8.8       10.11 (71)
SOUTHPORT        2.1     4.6     8.11     11.17 (83)

GOALS
Carlton: McMahon 2, Motlop 2, Cuningham, Lemmey, Maher, Moir, Monahan, Pittonet

BESTS
Carlton: Marchbank, Pittonet, White, Lord, Le.Young, Durdin