CARLTON has suffered a disappointing 19-point loss to the Gold Coast Suns at Marvel Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

A scrappy affair, the Blues were unable to make the most of their opportunities while the Suns' persistence, pressure and fast-movement was ultimately the difference. 

Quarter one: 

After a scrappy start, it was the Gold Coast Suns who would hit the scoreboard for the first time in Round 21. Struggling to break through the Suns’ defensive set-up, the Blues began to heap the pressure on the opposition with repeat forward entries, eventually leading to a beautiful bending goal from Charlie Curnow to get his team on the board.

Zac Fisher and Jack Silvagni worked well off the crumbs of the tall forwards during the quarter, able to create scoring opportunities throughout the term, while Josh Honey made the most of the forward territory to kick his first goal and give the Blues the lead towards the end of the quarter. At the other end of the ground, an inspiring defensive effort from Liam Jones towards the end of the quarter saved a certain Gold Coast goal. Honey then benefitted from a contested ball win from co-captain Patrick Cripps, who shrugged off the tackle of Matt Rowell before finding his teammate open in the forward half. Honey’s second goal would give the Blues a ten-point lead heading into the first break.

Quarter two: 

The second quarter started much like the first, with the Suns once again bringing all the energy. Carlton was more patient with their build-up out of the backline, as it attempted to regain control of the play and not feed into the fast-paced style of the opposition. Tall forwards Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow worked hard up the wings to provide a marking target in transition. The hard work finally paid off, when the two combined with Eddie Betts to give the Blues their first goal for the term.

It was truly a term of two halves, with Jack Silvagni’s goal flicking the switch on what would be a more free-flowing period of play for the Blues as they wrestled back some control from the opposition. Silvagni was important across the ground, continuing to contest well in the ruck, while also providing some much-needed aggressiveness on the wings to propel the Blues into attack. He would head into the main break with eight disposals, five score involvements and a goal of his own.

Quarter three:

It looked as though the third quarter was on track for a similar start to the opening two quarters when the Gold Coast Suns slotted a quick goal to cut Carlton's half-time lead to just three points. However, when Harry McKay rewarded the hard-run of Jack Martin with a brilliantly positioned pass, the Blues were once again able to regain some control of the flow of play. Carlton was unable to make the most of their repeat entries inside the forward line, with missed opportunities seeing the opposition kick three unanswered goals and take a seven-point lead into the final change.

Quarter four: 

It was a nervous start from both teams to start the final term, with neither looking to take big risks with the game on the line. The Blues set-up well behind the play early in the term to restrict the Suns’ ball movement, while pressure in the forward line from Josh Honey would result in Ed Curnow squaring the ledger. Momentum would turn after star-forward Harry McKay injured his shoulder halfway through the final term. At the other end of the ground, Gold Coast’s Jacob Townsend gave his team the lead with his second goal of the day. Harry McKay continued his fight, playing bravely through his shoulder injury to give the Blues a late goal and a late chance, but it was too little too late for the Blues, with a disappointing loss all but ending the Blues’ chances of finals football.

SUMMARY: 

Carlton  3.2  5.5  6.8  8.9 (57)  

Gold Coast Suns 1.4  3.8  7.9  11.10 (76)

GOALS: Honey 2, Betts, E. Curnow, C. Curnow, Martin, Silvagni, McKay

BESTS: Newman, Weitering, E. Curnow, Honey, Kennedy, Martin