CARLTON has fallen to St Kilda by 13 points in the Round 10 clash at Marvel Stadium. 

While the Blues showed the fight which was lacking against the Giants, they were unable to get the job done against the Saints.  

Turnovers hurt both teams’ ability to ever really break the game open: however, it was ultimately the Saints who were able to make the most of their opportunities.

The Breakdown:

Q1:

The Blues were the first to hit the scoreboard, with a crafty crumb and snap by Michael Gibbons early in the first quarter getting Carlton going. The defenders also looked much more composed with the return of veteran Kade Simpson helping to steer the ship. It was Caleb Marchbank who was the most impressive down back, moving freely and reading the play to cut off the Saints’ forays forward. Matt Kennedy also started well in his first senior game for the year, collecting seven first-quarter disposals.

Q2:

St.Kilda got the early jump on the Blues in the second quarter, kicking two goals in quick succession to set the pace in what was a blistering term of football. While the Saints did control the majority of the quarter, Carlton was able to work itself back into the contest with Sam Petrevski-Seton and Matthew Kreuzer beginning to find more of the football. A chain of play resulting in a goal involving Jack Silvagni, Mitch McGovern and Harry McKay was the highlight of the term. Charlie Curnow’s second from outside 50 helped the Blues wrestle back the lead late in the quarter, before a goal on the half-time siren saw Josh Bruce give the Saints a three-point lead at the main break.  

Q3:

The Saints had all the momentum to start the third quarter, kicking the first three goals to open up a 22-point lead. Carlton struggled to get the ball into its forward half. Paddy Dow gave maximum effort throughout the middle of the ground, however a number of turnovers from the collective throughout the term hurt any chance the Blues’ had to build momentum. Gibbons kicked truly for his second goal of the game, and the Blues’ only goal for the term. Late hits on Levi Casboult and Kade Simpson saw their teammates fly the flag: it was all to play for in the final quarter.

Q4:

With a bit of push and shove erupting at the end of the third term, it was always going to be a heated start to the final term. The battle between the two teams meant neither could gain any real momentum, before David Cuningham was able to help the Blues’ get the first major of the quarter. Matthew Kreuzer’s first goal gave the team hope, reducing the Saints’ lead to just five points with under 10 minutes to play. However, it was the Saints’ day as they finished 13-point winners come the final siren

Moment of the match:

Charlie Curnow's second goal of the game was pure brilliance. The young forward received the ball outside 50m, quickly wheeled around and sent the ball sailing through the middle of the posts for a great goal. 

Three things we learned:

  1. Sam Walsh continues to emerge as a future star of the competition. Partnered with captain Patrick Cripps, Walsh collected 28 disposals — more than any other Blue — as well as five clearances.
  2. Matthew Kreuzer is one of the most important pieces of the Carlton line-up. While he may not have won the ruck battle, the 30-year old’s impact around the ground was as impactful as ever.
  3. Following in the footsteps of Liam Jones, Levi Casboult is also enjoying his reinvention as a defender. The Blues’ big man proved to be up to the task against the Saints, taking seven marks and putting an end to a number of St Kilda’s forward entries.

ST KILDA    2.2   5.7   8.10   9.14 (68)
CARLTON    3.4   5.4   6.6    8.7 (55)

GOALS
St Kilda: Membrey 2, Bruce 2, Parker 2, Dunstan, Phillips, Newnes, 
Carlton: C.Curnow 2, Gibbons 2, McKay, Newman

BEST
Carlton: Cripps, Simpson, C.Curnow, Walsh, Casboult

INJURIES 
Carlton: McGovern (ankle)

Reports: Ben Long (St Kilda) for rough conduct on Levi Casboult

Umpires: Fisher, Deboy, Fleer

Official crowd: 35,058 at Marvel Stadium