A BLUE blitz.
Carlton has stormed home against the Power at Adelaide Oval, kicking eight goals in the final term to break open a tight game and come away with a 36-point victory.
In a game where the margin didn’t pass double digits for the opening three quarters, the Blues were utterly brilliant in last 30 minutes, with Patrick Cripps (two final-quarter goals) leading the charge.
Sam Walsh and Nic Newman were exceptional, while Tom De Koning continued a career-best 2024 as the Blues recorded their eighth win of the campaign — and second consecutive at the previously problematic Adelaide Oval.
Quarter one
After Port Adelaide made the early break with a goal from a free kick inside the opening minute, Carlton clicked into gear, largely led by ruckman Tom De Koning. The big man started brilliantly, amassing five disposals, two clearances and a goal inside the opening 15 minutes to provide a spark in enemy territory. It shot the Blues into action, with Patrick Cripps bursting out of congestion and assisting Charlie Curnow just minutes later. With two sides who pride themselves on the contest, it was no surprise that the opening term was combative, with Brodie Kemp and Mitch McGovern needing to step up defensively in the early going with intercept marks. When the Blues got going forward, they did everything to keep it there, forcing nine forward-half turnovers in the first quarter but only able to generate one goal from it. After having the upper hand early, the Blues were beaten in the clearance game by the Power in the second half of the term, conceding 10 consecutive clearances as the home side got its territory game going. Nic Newman contributed eight first-quarter disposals to continue his good run of form, as the Blues looked to be more patient with their ball movement to deny the Power after a hot start in the pressure stakes. It paid off in the final minute, with a strong mark by George Hewett ending in a Curnow free kick to level the scores at the first break.
Quarter two
An unlikely goalkicker popped up to set the tone for the Blues, when Brodie Kemp drifted forward and converted for just his second career goal inside the opening moments. From there, eight goalless minutes ensued as an arm wrestle emerged at Adelaide Oval. It was left to Harry McKay to break the deadlock, who forced a turnover inside 50 and snapped truly to give the Blues a game-high lead in the first half. It wasn’t a game where run and carry was prevalent, but that didn’t stop Ollie Hollands from having his say on the contest, accumulating a game-high five tackles in the first half — narrowly ahead of brother Elijah with four. Zak Butters began to get involved for the Power, but Alex Cincotta was diligent in his role on the star Power onballer, restricting him to just one score involvement from 12 first-half disposals. Walsh continued to motor with 10 disposals in the second term, taking his tally to an equal game-high 16 at the main break alongside Newman. It was a clash of opposite styles in terms of going forward, with four of Carlton’s goals from turnover while three of Port’s four goals came from stoppages. The Blues were the No.1 contested possession side coming into the game, but Port had the narrow lead at half time: however, the Blues had eight more tackles than the Power, who led the competition in the stat coming into the night. Carlton’s pressure rating was over 200 for the second straight quarter, but were forced to hold on late, as inaccuracy for the Power – who kicked 1.6 for the term – meant the Blues took a narrow three-point lead into the main break.
Quarter three
After being beaten in the clearance count in the first two quarters, the Blues well and truly dialled it up at the source to start the third term. Alex Cincotta and Ollie Hollands started to get their hands on the ball after spending a lot of the first half defending, while the Blues managed to turn the territory game around, recording the first seven inside 50s of the quarter. However, as is so often the case, the Blues – like the Power in the second term – failed to capitalise, and their opposition looked to make them pay. On the Blues’ side, however, was third-quarter Charlie Curnow, who has proven to be a different beast in 2024. Curnow recorded a goal himself while registering a direct assist for McKay, with Carlton looking to keep their noses in front against a dogged Port Adelaide outfit. The Blues had to be up for the fight, with Walsh recording seven disposals and six tackles in the third quarter alone, while Jacob Weitering shut down Charlie Dixon expertly with just one disposal before the Port forward was subbed out. McGovern had a crucial defensive moment while the Blues’ heat on the ball was fierce, with a late goal to Zac Williams ensuring the Blues took a seven-point lead into the final change.
Quarter four
Last week when the game needed someone to dictate proceedings, Patrick Cripps stepped up: he doubled down this week. Inside the opening four minutes, Cripps – who had relatively quiet by his standards in the third term – turned the game on its head, kicking back-to-back goals and starting an unbelievable run for the Blues. In the final term, Carlton piled on 8.1, with 7.1 coming directly from clearances after being well held in the statistic all night. Cripps had nine disposals and two goals, Walsh had 11 and four tackles, Acres 10 disposals and a goal as the Blues’ midfielders well and truly got on top. There were some nervy moments, with Jeremy Finlayson and Todd Marshall kicking majors to keep them within a sniff, but the Blues weren’t to be denied. Their contested possession count surged past the Power and they comfortably beat their opponents in the tackle count, recording 75 for the game as their pressure and contest was sustained over four quarters. It was an emphatic finish from the Blues, with McKay and Williams taking their tally to three for the game on a brilliant night away from home for Carlton.
PORT ADELAIDE 3.2 4.8 7.9 10.11 (71)
CARLTON 3.2 5.5 8.10 16.11 (107)
GOALS
Carlton: Curnow 3, McKay 3, Williams 3, Cripps 2, Acres, Cincotta, De Koning, Kemp, McGovern, Williams
BEST
Carlton: Walsh, Newman, De Koning, Weitering, Cripps, Saad, Cincotta