The Recap - Round 17 V Geelong
Written by Helena Petrou
As another round of the 2021 season passes, Blues fans are yet again left feeling disappointed and appalled at their team’s half-hearted performance. Despite giving themselves multiple opportunities to cause an upset, Carlton fell victim to yet another top 8 side, going down a staggering 5.14 44 to Geelong’s 10.10 70 at the MCG. Young leaders Sam Walsh and Jacob Weitering did all they could to try will their side over the line with exceptional personal performances, but it wasn’t enough to help the Blues, whose inaccuracy in front of goal ultimately kicked them out of the game.
An hour before the first bounce it was announced that Levi Casboult (knee) and Liam Jones (back) would both be late outs and were to be replaced Tom Williamson and Will Setterfield. Liam Jones has proven himself as a critical component and leader in the backline, his late omission a hint of the mess that was to come.
The match started with the Blues having the first shot on goal for the game a minute after the first bounce. Set up by Silvagni, Newnes’ set shot from 40m out swung to the left to only gather a point, which Blues fans would later find out to be a recurring event. Carlton started well, bringing pressure around the ground but struggled to convert their dominance onto the scoreboard. Esava Ratugolea scored the first goal of the game 9 minutes after the first bounce after outmarking Lachie Plowman, who was left to play undersized on Ratugolea due to Jones’ late omission from the game. The Blues responded promptly through Petrevski-Seaton after Tom De Koning’s clearance from the centre, putting the Blues back in the lead. ‘SPS’ had the opportunity to kick 2 goals in under a minute through a clever inside 50 ball from Stocker, although his shot swung wide of the goals. Saad was immense down back, using his craftiness to get the Blues out of trouble multiple times. Curnow and Cripps’ attacks on goal also resulted in points seeing the Blues head into quarter time 2 points down.
The second term began with the Cats getting a goal through Smith after a chaotic build up inside 50. Both teams failed to convert for the rest of the quarter, with the Blues kicking 0.4 to the Cat’s 1.3. Geelong’s forward structure made it increasingly difficult for the Blues to escape their defensive 50, leading to them often turning the ball over when trying to escape through the corridor. Jack Newnes’ work rate on the wing saw him get on top of his opponent in Isaac Smith as well as provide an option. Despite the disadvantage he faced in his matchup, Plowman was solid down back, disallowing Ratugolea the chance to hit the scoreboard. Sam Walsh’s repeat efforts were a critical part of Carlton’s quick ball movement going forward. The Blues had been doing everything right in attack, moving the ball quickly through handballs, hitting up an unassuming target inside 50, yet failed to do any real damage on the scoreboard.
Matt Owies began the second half fantastically, presenting for a shot on goal, then following up with a great tackle in the defensive 50 resulting in a free kick after his shot went through for a behind. Less than a minute later he found himself having another shot-on goal, 45m out along the left boundary, although this time he hit the post. The Blue’s kicking inefficiency was now being highlighted with the Cats having scored a total of 28 points from turnover. The Blues conceded two goals in a minute through Parfitt and Rowan, although great defensive efforts from Weitering, Stocker and Williams prevented the Cats from recording any more majors until the final 3 minutes of the term. Silvagni, Walsh and Petrevski-Seaton were critical components in the Blues’ attacking build up. Well over an hour since their only goal of the game, the Blues finally recorded a major score through McKay from 50m out with just two minutes remaining in the quarter, leaving them to trail by 18 points at the final break.
Two consecutive goals to Zach Tuohy within the first five minutes of the fourth quarter blew the margin out to 30 points, effectively shutting down any hopes of a Carlton comeback. Jacob Weitering continued his phenomenal work down back, continually closing down Tom Hawkins keeping him goalless for the match, all in the absence of his defensive partner Liam Jones. Carlton continued to put themselves in good offensive positions but lacked the class to execute the passages of play. Rhys Stanley kicked a major of his own, further extending the margin. With 8 minutes remaining in the game, Carlton had given up a total of 49 points through turnover as a result of their panicked ball movement. Sam Walsh took the game into his own hands, using his incredible running ability to create and execute a goal, bringing the margin back to 20 points. Walsh kicked his second for the day with just under two minutes remaining, playing on from 40 metres out. Directly after, McKay took a great contested mark to set up his second goal of the game. A minor score at the other end of the ground marked the final play of the game, seeing the Cats walk out 26-point victors.
Carlton matched Geelong in clearances, tackles, one percenters as well as contested and uncontested possessions. Carlton let the game slip through their inaccuracy in front of goal, but also through the amount of inside 50s they conceded. Carlton managed 38 inside 50s, to Geelong’s 56. This resulted to Geelong being able to take control of the game, but also made life harder for Carlton forcing them to continually try transition from defence to attack. The Cats also managed an extra 35 marks, showing their ability to cover more ground freely as well as dictate play. An ugly night at the MCG that ultimately put any last finals hopes to rest, while also leaving fans lost and disappointed, round 17 is one Blue’s fans would rather forget.
