SEEKING their first win of the season, the Carlton Reserves were outclassed in Round 3 of the VFL season against Southport at IKON Park.
In a tough night, the Blues went down to an efficient Sharks outfit, with Southport prevailing 18.9 (117) to Carlton’s 8.13 (61).
It was a hot start by the Sharks, who dealt the first four blows in the game to take a strong lead early in the first term.
Harry O’Farrell was crucial early for the Blues, providing a key role in defence in his first official game for the club.
Looking dangerous throughout the quarter, it was Harry Lemmey who kicked the first for the Reserves to get the ball rolling following a free kick.
Captain Heath Ramshaw (eight disposals) found plenty of the footy early to lead Carlton’s disposals in the first quarter, complemented by Jaxon Binns (five disposals) on the wing.
The Camporeale brothers featured in their first game together in the Navy Blue - Ben with seven disposals, Lucas with six - and were quick to get themselves into the contest.
Looking to strike in the second term, Ramshaw continued to lead from the front to lead all comers in Navy Blue with 14 disposals at half time, while Lemmey continued to present well throughout the quarter.
It wasn’t long until small forward Ollie Badr kicked his first of the night with a clever finish from close range.
In his long-awaited VFL debut, Matthew Carroll (five first-half disposals) showed his poise in defence, while after being injected into the midfield, Elijah Hollands showed his class with the footy in hand (nine disposals).
However Carlton was wasteful going forward while Southport made them pay, with the Sharks heading into the half-time break with a strong lead.
Needing a big lift in the second half, the Reserves came out firing. Hudson O’Keeffe kicked the first of the term, with Harry McKay slotting one soon after to give the Blues back-to-back goals.
Harry Charleson provided some dash from the back half, with debutant O’Farrell continuing to lock down in defence. They were supported well by Jordan Boyd and Carroll, who linked up throughout the quarter to stem the flow of the Sharks’ momentum.
Turning up the heat in the third, a clever Hollands kick to space gave McKay a mark inside 50. He converted with a banana from a tight angle to kick his second of the quarter.
Some high-class pressure from Corey Durdin (13 tackles for the game) led to Lemmey snagging his second with a set shot from range, as the Blues began to show some fight and work their way back into the contest on the scoreboard.
Lucas Camporeale (12 disposals) joined in late to kick his first of the night just before the final break - giving Carlton their fifth of the term.
Looking to continue their third-quarter form, Durdin continued to fight as he was thrown into the midfield for an injection of pace, while Cooper Vickery continued his good start to the year with a solid contribution.
Ollie Badr kicked his second with another crafty finish following a solid transition from the back half, but the Blues were unable to quell Southport’s potency going forward, conceding four final-quarter goals.
Despite Carlton stepping up after the major break, Southport proved too strong, with the Blues’ next VFL game to come in a fortnight on Good Friday against North Melbourne.
CARLTON RESERVES 1.3 2.7 7.10 8.13 (61)
SOUTHPORT 6.2 12.6 14.6 18.9 (117)
GOALS
Carlton: Badr 2, Lemmey 2, McKay 2, L.Camporeale, O’Keeffe
BESTS
Carlton: Vickery, Durdin, Carroll, McKay, Lemmey, Phillips
