The Wrap Up | R17 V West Coast Eagles

MATCH SUMMARY: 

The Blues return to the graveyard shift for the final time this season, as they travel to the west to verse the lowly West Coast Eagles. The Eagles, despite sitting second last on the ladder, have improved in recent weeks, and considering the Blues haven't beaten them since 2014, West Coast will go into this match thinking they are a real shot at causing an upset. 

The Blues needed to start hot, and they started as hot as they could’ve. Zac Fisher found some space inside and drew a free kick for high contact, went back and kicked his first of the day. The hot start continued as the two big key forwards came to play, Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay kick the next two goals to give the Blues a 20 points lead. Curnow's quick kick inside 50 was pinpoint perfect to Corey Durdin who strolled in and kicked the Blues fourth of the day. Their business for the first quarter wasn't done there, as Curnow marked 45 out on a tough angle and slotted his second for the day. Carlton took a 34-0 lead heading into the 2nd term, that was exactly what the doctor ordered. 

West Coast needed to start the second quarter well or else it was game over, and they got a little bit of help from the umpires as Jack Darling was awarded a 50-metre penalty, which brought him to within striking range as he got the ball rolling for the Eagles. However, minutes later, a goalmouth scramble fell to Harry McKay who soccer through a quick reply for the Blues. However, the Eagles weren’t done, as Luke Foley and Jake Waterman got the Eagles back to 24 points. The Blues needed someone to get the game back on their terms, and it had to be Charlie Curnow, whose leisurely kick from 50 went straight through the middle, extending the Carlton lead. However, it was 1 step forwards, and 2 steps back as Josh Kennedy kicked a miracle goal from the boundary before Willie Rioli’s hurried kick forward found ti’s way through. And all of a sudden, the Blues lead was cut down to 17 points. A trademark small forward goal from Corey Durdin gave the Blues some breathing space again, however, the Eagles ended the quarter with two goals. One from Bailey Williams and the other from Jake Waterman, and from the match-high lead of 36 points, it was cut down to 10 at half-time and all of a sudden, it was game on in the West. 

The third quarter was going to define this game, if the Blues can stem the flow and completely crush the momentum of the Eagles, then they will be the front runners to take the 4 points home. And that is exactly what they did, the first goal of the quarter came from Charlie Curnow who snapped around the body from the pocket and gave the Blues a massive sigh of relief. However, the pressure was immediately put back on Carlton, as former player Josh Kennedy kicked his 700th goal for West Coast, and put the margin back down to 10 points. Carlton needed someone to stand up in a big moment, and when Chalire Curnow took a massive mark 50 out on a tight angle and slotted a beautiful goal, we all knew that there was no way Curnow was letting Carlton lose this match. 

The Blues, just like they did in the first, completely destroyed the Eagles in the last quarter. It all came from the leaders. Patrick Cripps, Sam Walsh and Harry McKay, all of who were having underwhelming games, all stepped up in the final term. McKay kicked the first two goals of the quarter, Matt Cottrell chipped in with one from 50, before Cripps and Walsh both got on the scoresheet to seal the game in a beautiful fashion. Fisher and McKay added some icing on the cake as the Blues stormed home to a 63-point victory in the west. 

Story From The Match:

Leaders stepping up when it matters most:

Coming into the last quarter, Carlton needed their leaders to step up. After a perfect start, the Eagles punched back and the Blues were leaning on the ropes waiting to hear the sound of the bell. However, when Carlton’s back was against the wall, the superstars of the club stepped up. Harry McKay kicked 3 last-quarter goals, including the opening two of the term. Sam Walsh had 13 touches and kicked a goal, and the skipper, Patrick Cripps, after a poor first three quarters, stepped up with a massive goal and 10 touches. 

The Best

Charlie Curnow, Matt Kennedy, Harry McKay, Adam Cerra, Sam Docherty, Sam Walsh, Patrick Cripps, George Hewett. 

Final Scores

West Coast:                                                    0.0 (0), 7.3 (45), 8.5 (53), 8.5 (53) 

Carlton:                                                           5.4 (34), 8.7 (55), 10.10 (70), 17.14 (116)