IT WAS another tight contest again between the Blues and the Dockers, as the two teams battled it out on a cold Melbourne night at the MCG. 

Carlton were able to hold the lead for the majority of the game, but were put to the test by Fremantle - eventually running out 16-point winners to record their second win in a row. 

Quarter one: 

It was a fast start for the Blues, who got the ball moving into their forward 50 straight out of the bounce. Carlton rued a few early opportunities but Matt Kennedy kicked truely to put the first goal on the board. Caleb Serong showed himself as Sam Walsh’s direct opponent, but Walsh’s ability to find the ball wasn’t halted working hard to help surge the Blues forward. Kennedy took strong marks at both ends of the ground. The veteran Eddie Betts slotted a set shot goal and Paddy Dow had plenty of the ball, with his clean hands and efficiency proving very useful to the midfield group. Alex Pearce did well to keep Harry McKay quiet, but the Blues were able to utilise targets like Jack Martin and Jack Silvagni in their forward half. Carlton’s defence rose to the occasion, with Liam Jones and Nic Newman providing consistent intercept plays, along with a strong defensive output higher up the ground from the whole team. Tom De Koning took his impact to the goal square to kick an exciting goal while at the other end, the Dockers could not make a dent on the scoreboard. 

Quarter two: 

While there was an injury concern for Patrick Cripps at quarter time, the skipper came out firing and set up a running goal for Matt Owies. Dow added to his already impressive game with a goal while, at the other end, Jones’ intercept marking prevented Fremantle from getting on a high-scoring run. Lachie Plowman and Adam Saad put the pressure on in the defensive 50 as the Dockers started to get more of it in their forward half. McKay slotted his first of the night after a superb delivery from Silvagni, but Fremantle put their foot on the pedal kicking easy goals to narrow the margin. Nat Fyfe and Adam Cerra’s impact through the middle helped the Dockers move the ball forward, while also halting the Blues' ability to move the ball as efficiently as they did in the first term.

Quarter three: 

It was a sluggish start to the second half for both sides, with neither able to make a meaningful impact in their forward half. McKay kicked things off with a big contested mark followed by a goal as the Blues started to get the better of the possession. Lachie Fogarty did well to move the ball down the line while Jones and Newman continued to provide rock-solid defence. Silvagni’s second goal boosted the Blues' momentum and while they trailed in the clearance numbers, they were able to score more points from stoppages than the Dockers. Fremantle pushed Carlton back hard, narrowing the margin to single digits for the first time since the first term. The Dockers had the last ten inside 50s of the quarter, taking the momentum with them heading into the final term. 

Quarter four: 

Sam Petrevski-Seton was pivotal in the back half, clearing the ball cleanly and quickly. Rory Lobb and Fyfe were troublesome for the Blues and both were instrumental in helping the Dockers gain the lead. Tom Williamson and Saad had their hands full in the defensive 50, but were able to continuously rebound and ease the pressure from the Fremantle attack. The Dockers' speed was dangerous for the Blues, with  last-quarter fatigue starting to kick in. While the Dockers’ kicking in front of goal wasn’t accurate, their kicking around the ground was pinpoint, leaving the Blues to pick up the pieces in the defensive 50. Betts slotted a much needed goal as the game got chaotic with both sides desperately moving from end to end. Neither side were able to get on top, both struggling for scoring opportunities. A heroic snap from Walsh on the boundary sealed the deal for the Blues, with all the momentum swinging their way for the remainder of the game. 

Three things from the game 

1. When all the Blues get involved, the goals flow easier. The number of score involvements was high for Carlton, with Cripps, Martin and Silvagni topping the table with nine each, while Dow and Ed Curnow contributed seven and six respectively. 

2. Nic Newman is a welcome inclusion to the Carlton backline after playing as the medical sub last week.  With 24 disposals, 11 marks and five intercepts, he took it upon himself to clear the ball from the defensive half, with the help of Jones and Weitering, who had a combined 17 intercepts between the two of them. 

3. Matt Kennedy is starting to find his feet at the AFL level. Kennedy started fast, and while he may not have been impactful through the entire game, he was there when it mattered in the final minutes of the game, keeping a level head and setting up the Blues forward line. He finished the game with 22 disposals, six tackles and four clearances. 

Moment of the match

Do you even need to ask? 

Of course it was going to be Walsh, with his ball recovery and snap on goal from the boundary in the dying minutes of the match, giving the Blues the finish they needed and so desperately wanted. 

Match summary

FREMANTLE    0.4   4.8   8.15   8.16 (64)
CARLTON         4.2   7.2   10.3   12.8 (80) 
 
GOALS
Carlton: McKay 3, Betts 2, Silvagni 2, Walsh, De Koning, Dow, Kennedy, Owies
 
BEST
Carlton: Dow, Walsh, Weitering, McKay, Silvagni, Newman