A NAILBITING finish has seen the Blues fall narrowly short to Hawthorn in their Round 6 clash.
The Blues dominated the first half, arguably surprising the opposition with their intensity and pressure around the ball. However, the Hawks’ maturity and injuries to key Carlton defenders resulted in a the opposition running away with five point victory.
The Breakdown
Q1 Breakdown:
After a see-sawing first five minutes, the Blues were able to hit the scoreboard first through the handy work of both Harry McKay and Mitch McGovern. The two tall forwards benefited immensely from the added pressure and intensity brought by Carlton’s midfielders around the contest. David Cuningham didn’t waste anytime in his return from injury, providing the highlight of the first quarter kicking a seemingly impossible goal from the boundary. Matthew Kreuzer also continued to show how important he is to this Blues team. Despite not winning the ruck battle in the first term, Kreuzer finished the term with five clearances and a sensational goal.
Q2 Breakdown:
It was the Blues picking up where they left off at the beginning of the second term, with Jack Silvagni soccering through his first of the day. The Blues’ momentum slowed slightly as the quarter went on with Hawthorn lifting their pressure, able to keep the ball locked down in their forward half. However, the defensive of efforts of Liam Jones were again on show, making it hard for the Hawks to have any impact on the scoreboard. If his efforts in defense weren’t enough, Jones also provided the highlight of the term, leaping over his opponent to take a spectacular mark.
Q3 Breakdown:
Two early goals to the Hawks cut the Blues' half-time lead and set the tone for a fast and chaotic third quarter. The Blues' backline would have to readjust after veteran Kade Simpson came off with hamstring tightness. McGovern would drop back to help fill the void and provide extra support. It would continue to be the Hawks term, with the opposition piling on five goals to Carlton’s one. Carlton would hold a five point lead heading into the final change.
Q4 Breakdown:
The Hawks reclaimed the lead early in the first quarter, and looked set to dominate the term with a succession of repeated forward entries putting the Blues defence under constant pressure. However, the Blues were able to settle and reply with two goals of their own coming from the boots of O’Brien and Ed Curnow. It was a tussle right until the final siren, with neither team willing to give in the fight. The loss of defender Nic Newman further hurt the Blues, with the Hawks’ forwards able to capitalise on a depleted Blues'backline. The Blues fought until the final seconds, with McKay being denied a chance for victory by the siren.
Moment of the match:
The big-man Matthew Kreuzer wound back the clock early in the first quarter, when he intercepted the ball, ran to just outside the 50m line and bombed through a stunning goal.
Three things we learned:
- Matthe Kreuzer is extremely important to the Blues’. The Carlton ruck finished with nine clearances, 30-hit outs and one goal.
- Mitch McGovern’s versatility around the ground is as valuable as ever. McGovern was able to provide valuable support to the defensive line following Simpson’s injury in the second half.
- Liam Jones’ growth as a defender has seen him quickly rise into one of the leagues’ top backmen.
Up next:
The Blues return home for a massive home game against North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.
HAWTHORN 2.3 3.3 8.9 13.15 (93)
CARLTON 6.3 8.4 9.8 13.10 (88)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Shiels 3, Breust 3, Wingard 2, Lewis, Scully, O'Meara, Cousins, Roughead
Carlton: O'Brien 2, McKay 2, McGovern 2, Petrevski-Seton, Curnow, Dow, Casboult, Silvagni, Kreuzer, Cuningham
BEST
Carlton: Kreuzer, Jones, Thomas, Fisher, McKay
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Nil
Carlton: Charlie Curnow (knee soreness) replaced in selected side by David Cuningham, Simpson (hamstring tightness)
Reports: James Cousins (Hawthorn) for striking Sam Petrevski-Seton in the fourth quarter
Umpires: Stevic, Fisher, Glouftsis
