CARLTON has fallen 17 points short to top-of-the-table Brisbane at The Gabba.

Despite valiant final quarter efforts, the Blues could not overcome a goalless second quarter deficit in Kade Simpson's final game in Navy Blue.

Here is how it unfolded on Saturday night.

Q1 breakdown:

If the opening term was anything to go by, it was set to be a fiery night at The Gabba. With Brisbane chasing a top-of-the-table finish and Carlton looking to send off a legend in style, neither team would let the final game of the home-and-away season pass them by. It was Brisbane with the opening goal, but Marc Murphy was quick to answer the call with a major of his own. The Blues continued to press in the opening minutes, with a crafty handball from Tom De Koning to Levi Casboult securing the lead. Despite a Lions response, it was the Blues who finished the quarter four points ahead.

Q2 breakdown:

Brisbane proved its ladder position in the second term at The Gabba, quickly demolishing Carlton’s lead in the opening minutes. The Blues’ defence was under siege with repeat entries from a Lions on the run. Sam Walsh remained busy through the centre, finishing the half the leading ball-winner on 17 disposals. Carlton was kept goalless in the second term, heading into the last half with a 28-point deficit.

Q3 breakdown:

The third term was a steadying one for the Blues in the wet, stemming the Lions’ first-half attack. In a moment that felt almost pre-written, it was Kade Simpson who got the Blues back on track with what would be his last goal in Navy Blue. Sparked from the veteran’s goal in his retirement game, Carlton banked on the momentum with another defenders goal: this time off the boot of Tom Williamson. An eleventh-hour major from Brisbane dampened Carlton’s third quarter progress, it headed into the final term with a 24-point deficit.

Q4 breakdown:

Carlton came out firing in the final term, hoping to make the most of their last chance to steal the win from the Lions. After an opening goal from Brisbane, Michael Gibbons was quick to respond. What followed was an arm-wrestle featuring goals from Ed Curnow and Harry McKay. Despite valiant last quarter efforts, the Lions spoiled the comeback efforts to run out the 17-point winners. 

Three things from the game: 

1. Bluebaggers are coming to expect consistency from Sam Walsh. In only his second year of senior football, Walsh continues to run out games among the Blues’ best. He finished his final game of the season with an impressive 31 disposals.

2. Jack Newnes is the quiet achiever of the 2020 Blues. While the ex-Saint will always be remembered for that clutch goal, his presence continues to impact at both ground level and inside 50. He finished the game with 13 disposals and a goal. 

3. Kade Simpson was a stalwart until the very end. After 342 games you might think he wouldn’t have much left in the tank, but in his retirement game the legend continued to impact in the backline with those familiar long sleeves busy across the four quarters.

Moment of the match: 

Returning to the field after a goalless second quarter, the Blues needed a spark. Just minutes into the third term, it had to be the certain kick of of veteran Blue Kade Simpson in his retirement game. Sneaking forward to slot what would be his last AFL goal, Simpson capped off a 342-game career with Blues swarming from across the ground to celebrate alongside him.

Match summary:

BRISBANE 3.2 8.5 9.7 11.12 (78)
CARLTON 4.0 4.1 6.1 10.1 (61)

GOALS
Carlton: McKay 3, Casboult, Curnow, Gibbons, Murphy, Newnes, Simpson, Williamson

BEST
Carlton: Walsh, Plowman, Williamson, Kennedy, McKay