CARLTON have fallen short in an eleventh-hour defeat to Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Sunday.

Despite the best efforts of skipper Patrick Cripps, Liam Jones and youngster Sam Walsh,  Carlton could not hold off a determined fourth-quarter attack from the home team.

The Breakdown

Q1 Breakdown:

Carlton started on the front foot, winning the first two clearances and notching nine disposals to the Suns zero in the first two minutes. From then it was a tight contest played between the arcs. It was a frustrating first term for the Blues, unable to break away with missed opportunities from Harry McKay and Zac Fisher. Taking advantage of Carlton’s inaccuracy, the Suns made the most of their chances to take a 10-point lead into quarter time.

Q2 Breakdown:

The Blues came back strong in the second quarter with goals in the first two minutes courtesy of returning stars Charlie Curnow and Mitch McGovern. Quick ball movement saw the Blues hit the front early, but it quickly returned to a scrappy contest through the centre allowing the Suns to steady. The Suns’ scoring opportunities were stifled by a tireless Blues defence. Backline efforts culminated in a courageous diving save from Dale Thomas for a score that would have seen the scores levelled going into half time.

Q3 Breakdown:

Sam Walsh has again showed his credentials as a No. 1 draft pick, kicking a major early in the third to give the Blues some breathing room. There were concerns for the young Blue after a suspected corky early in the third, but he was quick to return after a short spell on the sidelines. From then all it took was a classy goal from skipper Patrick Cripps to propel the Blues forward with an 18-point lead. A late reply form the Suns saw the Blues take an 11-point lead into the final term.

Q4 Breakdown:

It was a nervous start to the fourth quarter for Blues fans, with the Suns getting one away off the boot of Ben Ainsworth to shorten the lead to just four points. The relentless Suns hit the front with nine minutes remaining in the term, following a goal from Holman. Patrick Cripps responded with his own goal to give the Blues lead, but a goal with only seconds for the Suns saw them snatch the win and the four points.  

Moment of the match:

Carlton faithful would have all been on the edges of their seats when Sam Walsh went down after receiving a heavy knock in a third quarter marking contest. However, testament to the youngster’s toughness, Walsh rebounded to his feet and kicked an important goal for the Blues.  

Three things we learned:

  1. Patrick Cripps ability to lift when the team needs him the most is second to none. The Captain truly took the game on, displaying class around the contest and providing an additional option up front.
  2. Jacob Weitering and Liam Jones are are forming an impermeable defensive unit. The pair had seven and five rebound 50s respectively to quell the Suns attack. Intercept possessions.
  3. It’s only a matter of time before we see a rising star nod for young gun Sam Walsh. The midfielder was again influential against the Suns with 30 disposals, six clearances and a goal.

GOLD COAST 3.1      4.4      5.8      8.11 (59)
CARLTON      1.3      5.4      7.7      8.9 (57)

GOALS

Gold Coast: Holman 2, Sexton 2, Wright, Bowes, Ainsworth, Witts
Carlton: McGovern 3, Cripps 2, Curnow, Fisher, Walsh

BEST 
Walsh, Jones, Weitering, Cripps, Murphy, Fisher

INJURIES 

Gold Coast: Powell (concussion)
Carlton: Nil

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Nicholls, Foot, Glouftsis

Official crowd: 14,176 at the Metricon Stadium