The Wrap Up | R6 V Brisbane Lions
Written by Ari Stamatakos
Each week, Blue Abroad’s “The Wrap Up” takes a different perspective on Carlton’s post-match review. “The Wrap Up” provides insights and stats supporting the key trends, moments and patterns of the game that held the most influence over the final result. This is your Round 6 Wrap Up following a tight defeat to premiership favourite, Brisbane Lions
MATCH SUMMARY:
After a disappointing loss last week to Port Adelaide, the Blues needed to respond. They versed a Lions side who hadn't had a good record at Marvel, so it was a very winnable game for a team in seemingly disarray. For the Lions, after a solid win against a improving Bomber side, they were looking to re establish themselves as genuine contenders in 2021.
The Blues needed to start strongly after a pretty disappointing end to the game the previous week, and they got it through Mitch McGovern (2 goals, 9 disposals, 89% disposals efficiency.) who got the first of the afternoon and got the Blues off to a perfect start. The Blues dominated the early stages of the game, yet it was the Lion who got the next through Daniel McStay (1 goal, 6 tackles, 5 score involvements). The Lion’s joy didn't last long as Harry McKay (6 goals, 9 marks, 9 score involvements) capitalised from a ‘Gov’ handball over the top to kick his first of the match. He then added a second to his tally not long after and the Blues were starting to get control of the game. However, the Lion’s stanched control right back from them as Charlie Cameron (3 goals, 5 score involvements) walsted into an open goal to end the term with his 1st.
Carlton needed to keep the intensity they had from the first and oh boy didn't they let the fans down again. Oscar McInerney (35 hitouts, 1 goal) got the ball rolling for the Lions in the second and two more in quick succession saw the Lion lead by 11 points 5 minutes into the 2nd quarter, despite being 8 down 5 minutes prior. The Blues stemmed the flow just like last week, and just like the week before this meant the next goal became even more vital. And just like the week before, the Blues coughed up an easy goal as Deven Robertson (2 goals, 8 score involvements, 6 tackles ) kicked his second from the goal line. When the Blues needed a leader, who else stepped up, Sam Walsh (33 disposals, 9 marks, 7 score involvements, 8 inside 50’s) kicked a long bomb from beyond the arc to bail out the Blues defence once more. However, the Lions showed their class once more as they kicked 3 straight, which was only responded to by a Marc Murphy (2 goals, 19 disposals, 6 score involvements. ) conciliation late in the 2nd term.
The Blues started the 2nd half like a house on fire as ‘H’ 2 straight and the blues were coming. Dayne Zorko’s (20 disposals, 11 tackles, 8 inside 50’s) goal was quickly responded to by Ed Curnow (30 disposals, 10 inside 50’s, 7 tackles.) (with a little bit of help from Eddie Betts). Not long later Sam Walsh was streaming inside 50, 30 thousand fans roaring behind him and instead of blazing away, he lowered his eyes, showed his class and hit up Harry, who turned around and kicked his 5th of the game and the Blues were breathing down the Lions throat. The Blues were to fall away again in the third term, Callum Ah Chee (4 tackles, 4 inside 50’s, 1 goal) got it underway and Lincoln McCarthy (6 tackles, 5 score involvements, 1 goal) finished it with Jarryd Lyons (24 disposals, 6 clearances, 4 tackles) getting one in between them as well. The Lions had a 25 point lead and the Blues needed a miracle for them to come back.
The last quarter the experienced Lions side stifled any attempt at a comeback from the Blues as an early Cameron goal put all pay to the comeback, both sides traded goals towards the end of the quarter but it was all but lost as the Lions ran out 18 point winners.
BREAKING IT DOWN: KEY MATCH INSIGHTS
Even Game - Lions Wanted It More.
Metric wise, the game couldn't be more even. Not a lot of talking points other than just the fact that the Lions wanted it more. They worked harder with and without the ball, as seen by the fact that they ran 16km more than the Blues, indicating the running efforts by the Lions. The Metrics were near identical. Inside 50’s 58-61, disposals efficiency 72%-72%, Clearances 43-44, Contested possessions 149-160, Uncontested possessions 194-197, Tackles 64-71. The Blues can take major confidence from the fact that they held the Lions in all the KPI’s and it was only lapses in concentration and poor two-way running which cost them in the end. These are two things that are very easily taught, and with the Essendon game coming up, they should have no problem getting up for it and giving it their absolute all against a side who isnt as good as the Lions, and who Carlton are considerably better than.
FINAL SCORES
Carlton: 3.5 (23), 5.7 (37), 9.11 (65), 12.13 (85)
Brisbane: 2.3 (15), 9.9 (63), 13.12 (90), 15.13 (103)
Carlton Goals: McKay (6), McGovern (2), Murphy (2), Curnow, Walsh
Carlton Best: Walsh, McKay, Curnow, Docherty
