Carlton Media selects its top-five player stats from the Blues' 20-point loss to the Western Bulldogs at the MCG on Sunday:
Matthew Kreuzer
Career-high 50 hitouts
In a scrappy affair at the MCG, the Blues’ big man continued his career-best form to record a career-high 50 hitouts as well as 13 possessions and five clearances. The 28-year-old got the better of Bulldogs ruckman Jordan Roughead to see Carlton dominate in the ruck with 54 hitouts to the Bulldogs’ 19.
Bryce Gibbs
Game-high 8 clearances
While the Blues entered the match equal last in the league for clearances, they fell only one short of the Bulldogs’ 33 clearances on Sunday. In the absence of Patrick Cripps, who was ranked seventh in the competition for clearances prior to the match, Bryce Gibbs recorded eight to manage the most by any player on the day. With one goal and a game-high 32 possessions, the Blues’ No.4 was a shining light for the navy blue outfit in Round 17.
Matthew Wright
Game-high 3 goals
The Blues’ small forward managed a game-high five marks inside 50 and used them to damaging effect to convert three goals, the most by any player on the field. Responsible for one-third of his side’s majors against the reigning premiers, Wright’s sharp shooting brought his season total to 23 goals.
Liam Jones
Team-high 5 intercept marks
Upon signing a new two-year deal, reborn defender Liam Jones impressed again on Sunday. The 26-year-old recorded a team-high five intercept marks to play a strong role for the Blues in defence restricting the Bulldogs to 11 marks inside 50. Jones also recorded a team-high seven one-percenters (spoil, knock-on or shepherd) in the Round 17 clash.
Marc Murphy
Game-high 24 pressure acts
While the Blues’ skipper wasn’t as effective with the footy against the Bulldogs, he made his presense felt with a strong defensive output which saw him tally a game-high 24 pressure acts, including four tackles.
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