CARLTON’S 2024 story came to an end with a 28-point defeat to Brisbane.
The Blues had no answers early, trailing the Lions by 10 goals in the second quarter before two attempts at a second-half comeback fell short in the 14.15 (99) to 11.5 (71) defeat.
It was Brisbane who had the lion’s share of the play early, forcing the Blues to defend deep on the back of repeat forward entries (9-3 in the opening 15 minutes). They recorded the opening five goals while taking double the amount of marks than the Blues.
The Blues were held scoreless for the first term, being dominated in inside 50s (18-8), centre clearances (4-0), marks (36-16) and uncontested possessions (57-44) to trail by 35 points at the opening change.
Despite getting more of their hands on the ball and better territory to start the second term, there wasn’t a lot of relief from a scoreboard perspective, with Brisbane jumping out to a 60-point lead before Carlton had registered a score.
Jacob Weitering and Lewis Young battled manfully down back in a very busy half for the Blues defence, with Weitering taking more marks than any Blue in the first half.
The breakthrough finally came from the boot of Patrick Cripps late in the second term, with Orazio Fantasia following suit with a clever snap minutes later.
A 48-point half-time deficit was pegged back quickly by the Blues in the term, as unanswered goals to George Hewett, Elijah Hollands and Harry McKay got the Blues within 30 points — as close as they had been since the opening term.
There were a few positional changes for the Blues, starting with Tom De Koning - who started his return as sub - coming into the game for Matthew Kennedy in the second term. Zac Williams returned to half-back, while Ollie Hollands did particularly well in the third quarter in a run-with role against Dayne Zorko, after the All Australian put the Blues to the sword in the first half.
As the Blues threatened to get back in the contest on the scoreboard, the home side rallied, with a Callum Ah Chee goal giving the Lions a 40-point lead at the last change.
Similar to the third term, the Blues burst out of the blocks in the fourth to give themselves any chance, rolling the dice at every opportunity and pushing forward aggressively to get on the scoreboard through McKay and Blake Acres.
Following a similar pattern to the third term, the Lions rallied to keep the Blues - who left themselves far too much to do - at an arm’s length.
The moment of the game from a Carlton perspective came in the final term, when Sam Docherty - 183 days after an ACL injury at the same ground - pushed forward to kick a goal which generated an all-in reaction from his teammates.
It was one of six final-quarter goals for the Blues, but a case of too little too late, ending their season at the Gabba for the second straight year.
BRISBANE 5.5 9.7 10.12 14.15 (99)
CARLTON 0.0 2.1 5.2 11.5 (71)
GOALS
Carlton: McKay 3, Pittonet 2, Acres, Cripps, Docherty, Fantasia, Hewett, E.Hollands
