IN HOT conditions outside Metricon Stadium, Carlton’s reserves side was topped up by a number of Gold Coast players in a reserves scratch match against… the Suns.
The 13 Blues who ran out onto the field were joined by five Suns players in Carlton’s second consecutive 18-on-18 scratch match.
After flying to Darwin as the travelling emergency last week, Lochie O’Brien finished out the game well: playing a combination of wing and half back, his running and sure disposal came to the fore as the game went on.
"We've got guys at the moment who are in really good form in our reserves games.
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) August 28, 2020
"But the team that has been playing has been getting the job done. We need to reward the guys doing their roles."#OwnTheFuture
He was supported by an impressive performance by Harrison Macreadie, who defended strongly and intercepted on a number of occasions against the likes of Peter Wright in Gold Coast’s forward line.
Played across three 20-minute time periods, Sam Philp kicked a late goal in an impressive finish to the contest, while a classy Darcy Lang bobbed up in all areas of the ground after kicking the opening goal of the game.
Matthew Owies was once again a multiple goalkicker, one coming from a strong pack mark close to goal while the other came from an opportunistic snap, while David Cuningham used his customary pace to full effect for his goal in the second term.
A big positive on the day was the performance of Fraser Phillips, who was thrown down back after the opening time period: the rookie impressed with his work in one-on-one contests and his ball use coming out of the back half.
A full player-by-player review and highlights will be available in the coming days.
GOALS: Owies 2, Cuningham, Lang, Philp
