LOOKING for a scalp after two close losses from their opening three games, the Carlton Reserves got their first win of the 2025 VFL season, beating Geelong by four points at IKON Park.

In a contest that saw a number of lead changes throughout the day, the Blues came away victorious against the Cats, with a last-minute goal to unlikely matchwinner Harry O’Farrell securing the 13.10 (88) to 12.12 (84) victory.

It was another good start for the Blues, with plenty of players getting their hands on it early. Lachy Cowan (four disposals) was quick to get involved in his return from injury, as was veteran Sam Docherty (5 disposals).

Billy Wilson imposed himself in the opening minutes, winning multiple crucial contests in defence, while alongside him, Jordan Boyd (six disposals) once again showed his class early.

Looking increasingly threatening in their forward half, it was Luke Nelson who kicked the opener for the Blues. He finished with a classy snap on his right following a nice transition of play from half back.

With the majority of the quarter being a tussle, it wasn’t long until a centre clearance from Marc Pittonet gave co-captain Liam McMahon a look inside 50, who kicked one around his body to level the scores.

A squaring ball from Francis Evans granted Darcy Hogg a set shot from a slight angle late in the first, finishing to once again tie the game at the first change.

A tight first quarter concluded with the scores level heading into the first break, as both sides had the right to feel as though they’d left goals on the table in the first term.

The Reserves started the second term off with a bang, as Jaxon Binns (14 first-half disposals) found Marc Pittonet who went back and slotted his first major of the day.

With Ben Camporeale turning up the heat in the middle (14 disposals to half time), the Reserves were able to get repeat inside 50s, with Hudson O’Keeffe able to convert.

Francis Evans also had an energetic start to the quarter, along with Heath Ramshaw (11 disposal) who began to get busy.

With a classy kick inside from a sprinting Docherty (who played largely across half-back), Ashton Moir launched one with set shot beyond the arc to give the Blues a third consecutive goal.

Although it was a strong period from the Reserves, a late fightback in the second half of the quarter from the Cats restricted the Blues, heading into the major break with only a five-point lead.

Looking to get back on top following half time, Cooper Vickery found O’Keeffe in the pocket. With a set shot from a tight angle, he was able to slot his second of the day and give the Reserves the ideal start.

Only a minute later, Ashton Moir followed suit, snaring his second with a set shot from 40 metres out. After the Cats responded, Harry Lemmey - who was pitted against Geelong veteran Jake Kolodjashnij - was on the receiving end of some good play from Ollie Poole.

Following the same trend as the second quarter, another fightback from the Cats saw scores level once again heading into the final quarter, with the stage once again set for another nail-biting finish.

After the Cats got the jump early in the last, a clever play from Moir to get out the back and provide a handball to a streaming Heath Ramshaw (19 disposals) led to him opening his account running into an open goal.

Shortly after, McMahon was awarded a free kick for his second, with a snap around the body from the boundary.

After an answering Geelong goal, Rob Monahan found his co-captain with a precision kick to the top of the square as the Blues stayed within touching distance, bringing McMahon’s tally to three for the game.

Down by two points in the dying stages, a blistering clearance from the ever-reliable Docherty (27 disposals) went by hand to Evans (16 disposals) and eventually found youngster Harry O’Farrell, who swung forward in the dying stages.

With a set shot directly in front just inside 50, the first-year player kept his cool under pressure, kicking a clutch goal in the dying stages to put the Blues up by four points and prove to be the unlikely match-winner.

With the siren sounding shortly after, the Reserves finally got the win they had been chasing.

The Carlton Reserves will face off against the Coburg Lions next Sunday 4 May at 1:05pm at Barry Plant Park. 

GEELONG                         3.3      5.6     9.7    12.12 (84) 
CARLTON RESERVES     3.3      6.5      9.7   13.10 (88) 

GOALS 
Carlton: McMahon 3, O’Keeffe 2, Moir 2, Hogg, Lemmey, Nelson, O’Farrell, Pittonet

BEST
Carlton: Docherty, Boyd, Ramshaw, B Camporeale, Evans, Phillips