CARLTON came up just short against Port Adelaide in a fluctuating Round 2 contest at Adelaide Oval.

After bursting out of the blocks, Carlton had to wrestle back the hosts in a stirring third quarter to set up a grandstand finish.

Despite the best efforts of Patrick Cripps and his teammates, the Blues ultimately succumbed by 16 points to the Power.

Quarter-by-quarter breakdown

Q1:

It was the Blues with the perfect start to the game, after Harry McKay found himself all alone in the goal square to kick the opening goal. From then on, it was a see-sawing affair, with the Power able to match the Blues with every score. The Blues’ pressure and constant entries inside 50 allowed them to pull away towards the end of the quarter, before a late Port goal saw Carlton take a six-point lead into the first break.

Q2:

The momentum switched Port Adelaide’s way in the second term, as they kicked four unanswered goals for the term. Charlie Curnow’s absence after suffering a knee injury late in the first term meant the Blues had to restructure their forward half. Andrew Phillips and Patrick Cripps continued to fight hard around the ground, while Jacob Weitering marked strongly.

Q3:

A shower of rain during the main break made the start of the third term difficult for both teams. The Blues were able to claw one back after Mitch McGovern showed great composure to find Paddy Dow open in the forward line. It was the start of an inspired term from McGovern, with the 50-gamer producing back-to-back goals to will the Blues right back into the contest. The Blues brought it back to a two-point game at the final change.

Q4:

The job was made all the more difficult for the Blues when Brad Ebert goaled in the opening seconds of the term, before that was followed with consecutive goals to Steven Motlop. Weitering battled manfully in defence, but late consolation goals to Alex Fasolo and Kade Simpson proved too little, too late in a 15-point loss.

Moment of the match

When the Blues needed a spark, Mitch McGovern arrived. After Port threatened to run away with the contest, Carlton rallied in the third term and the 50-gamer was crucial. A big tackle and a true set shot was immediately followed by a classy snap, kicking two goals in a minute and bringing the Blues right back into the game.

Player of the match

Pitted against Port Adelaide’s 250-gamer, Jacob Weitering delivered for the Blues in defence. After Justin Westhoff kicked five goals in the season opener, Weitering gave him nothing for the entirety of the contest. Carlton’s No.23 had eight intercept possessions, seven rebound 50s and 10 one percenters while keeping Westhoff goalless.

Three things we learned

  1. These Blues have fight. While in 2018 this game may have gotten away from Carlton, the ability from its youngsters to step up and will their team right back into the game was a major positive.
  2. Despite such a bright start and a third-quarter fightback, the Blues are still desperate for their first win in 2019. While they’ll reset and go again against Sydney next week, this will feel like a missed opportunity.
  3. This game could be the making of Sam Petrevski-Seton. With Patrick Cripps needing some support in the middle of the ground, the third-year Blue demonstrated his class and skill in the most difficult of conditions. He finished with 21 disposals and a goal.

Up next

Carlton will host Sydney at Marvel Stadium next Saturday 6 April.

Match summary

Port Adelaide           4.2     8.5      9.8         13.10 (88)
Carlton                   5.2      5.4      9.5         11.6 (72)

Goals

Carlton: McGovern 2, McKay 2, E. Curnow, Dow, Fasolo, Petrevski-Seton, Polson, Setterfield, Simpson

Bests

Carlton: Weitering, Cripps, Petrevski-Seton, McKay, Plowman, McGovern, Dow