Photo Gallery: Rd 10 2010 v West Coast
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A SENSATIONAL performance from Bryce Gibbs has led Carlton to a 29-point win over the West Coast Eagles at Etihad Stadium.
After signing a new two-year contract with the Blues late last week, Gibbs showed his class across half-back, finishing the match with a massive 45 possessions - a career best for Gibbs - in the Blues 15.15 (105) to 11.10 (76) win.
Stung by their defeat to the Hawks the previous week, the Blues dominated right from the opening bounce with Setanta O’hAilpin - who last week failed to register a single kick - kicking three goals for the winners.
Spending some time forward in the final quarter, Marc Murphy was also impressive through the midfield, collecting 36 possessions and kicking one goal.
Defender Andrew Walker provided the dash from defense, gathering 29 possessions in his first game since injuring his collarbone in round five against the Cats.
But in what could be bad news for the Blues, Heath Scotland left the field after injuring his knee in the final stages of the match.
Mark LeCras was the standout forward on the ground with five goals for the visitors, and was well supported by former Blue Josh Kennedy with four goals.
The Blues opened up a 28-point lead deep into the first term, with Judd and O’hAilpin kicking two goals each, but the Eagles hit back with two goals in the final minute of the quarter to reduce the margin to 16 points at the first change.
Carlton steadied in the second with Jordan Russell and Walker controlling play across half-back to go into the main break four goals in front.
The Blues hit the ground running in the third term, with Heath Scotland kicking the first goal after 26 seconds as the Blues extended the margin to 32 points at three quarter time.
A sensational dribbling goal from Murphy and a long 60m bomb from Lachie Henderson in the final quarter sewed up the Blues sixth win of the season while handing the Eagles their seventh loss of 2010.
Carlton 5.5 8.8 12.13 15.15 (105)
West Coast 3.1 5.2 8.5 11.10 (76)
GOALS
Carlton: O’hAilpin 3, Judd 2, Robinson 2, Garlett 2, Gibbs, Scotland, Betts, Browne, Murphy, Henderson
West Coast: LeCras 5, Kennedy 4, Cox, McKinley
BEST:
Carlton: Gibbs, Murphy, Judd, Robinson, Scotland, Simpson, Walker, O’Hailpin, Mclean
West Coast: LeCras, Pridds, A.Selwood, Embley, Rosa, Cox
INJURIES
Carlton: Heath Scotland (ankle)
West Coast: nil
Reports: nil
Umpires: Nicholls, Dalgleish, Chamberlain
Official crowd: 29,175 at Etihad Stadium
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
