CARLTON has won three games in a row for the first time since 2016, defeating Adelaide by 27 points at the MCG.

In one of their best performances of the season, the Blues dominated the Crows across the board to notch their fifth win in seven weeks under interrim coach David Teague.

While a number of Blues impressed, it was co-captain Patrick Cripps who was at his very best, finishing the day with 39 disposals, 24 contested possessions, and a personal-best 19 clearances. 

Q1 Breakdown:

It was a high-energy start to the game as both sides looked to assert their physical presence from the first bounce. While the Blues controlled the inside 50s early on, it was the Crows who were able to make the most of their opportunities up front, sneaking away to a two-goal lead early in the game. However, a goal to captain Patrick Cripps - who had 14 disposals and five clearances for the term - and some strong forward half pressure by the likes of Michael Gibbons, Darcy Lang and Jack Silvagni gave the Blues something to build on heading into the first break. A brilliant defensive effort by Sam Petrevski-Seton provided a spark for the Blues, and helped Matthew Kennedy find the goals for the first time on the day, before a strong mark and late goal to Silvagni saw the Blues take a four-point lead into the first break.

Q2 Breakdown:

The Blues were off to a hot start in the second quarter, after a stunning chain of running play from the backline resulted in Harry McKay’s first goal of the day. Kade Simpson was prolific off the half-back line, with the veteran showing that there was still plenty of run left in his legs and helping the Blues transition from defence into attack on a number of occasions. The highlight of the quarter came from Will Setterfield, whose sensational spin move to pick up the ball helped set up Levi Casboult for his first goal of the game. The 29-year-old would go on and kick a second goal, seeing the Blues extend their lead to as much as 22 points during the term. Carlton had its chances to extend the lead even further, but wasted a number of opportunities in front of goal to take a 16-point lead into the main break.  

Q3 Breakdown:

While it may have been a more contested start to the third term, Carlton’s big men got the ball rolling. A first goal for Andrew Phillips - in his return to the senior team - and a sensational third goal to Casboult gave the Blues an ascendancy early in the quarter. Simpson continued to run rampant in the backline, and was even able to sneak forward for an important goal late in the term. Setterfield continued to build on his impressive game, finishing the term at 21 disposals and three clearances. 

Q4 Breakdown:

The 38,369  Bluebaggers in attendance erupted as Josh Deluca sent the ball sailing through the big sticks to start the quarter. Adelaide didn’t stop coming throughout the term, but it was the Carlton defenders who constantly stood tall under pressure. It was tense right throughout the last term, with the Crows (who got within 16 points) threatening to steal the game from the Blues throughout. However, Cripps’ 19th clearance found Will Setterfield, who capped off a sensational afternoon with what would be the matchwinner.

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Moment of the match:

At a time when the Crows were beginning to build momentum in the third quarter, it was Levi Casboult’s third goal of the game that helped the Blues steady the ship once again. On the run, the big man controlled the ball with one hand, steadied and launched an outstanding shot from just inside 50 on the run.

Three things from the game:

  1. Will Setterfield is showing exactly why he was such a highly touted youngster. Finding some consistency over the last few weeks, Setterfield showed class and poise to finish the day with 24 disposals, seven inside 50s and, most importantly, the match-sealing goal. 
  2. The Blues' forward-line pressure is quickly becoming a major concern for the opposition. Not only were the Blues able to dominate the inside 50 count, the efforts of Jack Silvagni, Darcy Lang, Paddy Dow and Michael Gibbons ensured that the Crows’ defenders were not able to make the easy transition from defence to attack.  
  3. Kade Simpson and Dale Thomas are essential to the Blues’ back-line mix. The experience of the two veterans under pressure was important to Carlton’s ability to effectively rebound out of its defensive half. There was also plenty of run left in the old legs of the defenders, as they ensured a quick transition for the Blues’ as they transitioned from down back.

CARLTON      4.4    7.8    10.9    13.9 (87)
ADELAIDE     4.0    5.4     7.5       9.6 (60) 

GOALS
Carlton: Casboult 3, Phillips, McKay, Simpson, Silvagni, Kennedy, Cripps, Lang, Deluca, Setterfield, Gibbons
Adelaide: Walker 3, Stengle 2, Seedsman, Murphy, B.Crouch, Jenkins 

BEST
Carlton: Cripps, Simpson, Murphy, Setterfield, E.Curnow, Petrevski-Seton, Thomas

INJURIES

Carlton: Nil
Adelaide: Nil

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Rosebury, Harris, Glouftsis

Official crowd: 38,369 at the MCG