The Wrap Up | Round 16 V Sydney

Written by Joseph Addamo

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 most influence over the final result. This is your Round 16 Wrap Up following yet another Carlton heart-stopper vs Sydney.

MATCH SUMMARY: With 8 minutes and 2 seconds remaining in the second quarter, the Carlton Football Club were on their knees against the Swans. In driving rain, Jordan Dawson had just put through Sydney’s 7th consecutive goal and the goalless Blues were staring at a 39-point deficit. It looked as though any spark left in 2020 was well and truly gone for the Blues.

The first two quarters of the match began as the final quarter ended vs GWS in Round 15. Carlton had 14 Inside 50 entries in the first quarter for zero goals. This took their running tally at quarter time to 1 goal from their last 56 Inside 50s. Sydney, on the other hand, made the most of their opportunities in their attacking half with 3 straight goals from 10 Inside 50s. Jake Lloyd (24 Disposals, 374 Metres Gained, 5 Intercept Possessions) had the ball on a string early for the Swans, while the Blues looked completely out of the contest. Zac Fisher (16 Disposals, 1 Goal, 5 Score Involvements) snapped truly for Carlton’s first major shortly after Dawson’s goal. Another goal to the boy wonder Sam Walsh shortly after gave Blues fans something to smile about. But it was the skipper Patrick Cripps (17 Disposals, 7 Tackles, 5 Clearances) that finally delivered in a big moment in 2020, snapping truly from 40m out in the pocket to give the Blues hope. There was life in this Carlton outfit leading into the major break, trailing the Swans by 16 points.

Although Ollie Florent (2 Goals, 15 Disposals, 444 Metres Gained) would open the scoring for the second half, the Swans never looked likely. It was all Carlton. The Clearance work of the Blues midfield brigade started to get back on top and there was quicker and more efficient ball movement when entering their forward 50. The Blues piled on 7 scoring shots for only 2 goals to Levi Casboult and Jack Newnes in the third term, but the margin was cut to just one straight kick heading into the last.

Harry McKay took his third Mark Inside 50 for the night to begin the fourth quarter and snapped around his body for his second goal, bringing the Blues level. The goal to put either side in front eluded both sides for the next 14 minutes of the quarter, with neither being able to break the deadlock. Carlton looked the more likely of the two sides with repeat efforts and Inside 50 entries peppering the Swans defence. With 2:20 left on the clock, Casboult sent the Blues Inside 50 for one last-ditch effort and rising from the ashes was the red-headed phoenix Matthew Cottrell to take a superb contested mark. The shot on goal sailed through the middle of the big sticks and the Blues were in front for the first time since the opening minute. Not without a contentious free kick and late scare by Lewis Taylor for the Swans, the Blues held on to emerge as 5-point victors.

It is the 8th time this season a Carlton game has been decided by single digits with the Blues 5-3 in those outcomes. It was also the first time the Blues clawed their way back from such a deficit against the Swans since 1992. It was a game of two distinctly different halves for the Blues, with passengers turning to key contributors as the game wore on. They will be hoping to carry the momentum of the second half into their clash with Adelaide this coming Sunday.

Source: afl.com.au

BREAKING IT DOWN: KEY MATCH INSIGHTS

• Superman Returns: Although not a Disposals- or Clearance-dominant game for the skipper, Patrick Cripps’ got that monkey off his back that has plagued his game for much of 2020. His goal in the second quarter and his chase-down tackle on Josh Kennedy in the fourth quarter would have sent his confidence sky-high as he finally stood up in high pressure moments. He finished with 17 Disposals, 5 Clearances, 7 Tackles, 4 Inside 50s and 1 Goal for the night. The grit and toughness was back as he put his club on his shoulders to pull back a 7-goal difference. That goal and that tackle were those types of moments where ‘Crippa’ has lacked the ruthless ability to execute so many times this season. Carlton fans have been screaming for a performance like this from their skipper for weeks. Whatever his kryptonite was prior to this game had vanished before their eyes, as Carlton’s Superman finally returned. 

• The Halls Creek Cowboy & The Carlton Kids: Sam Petrevski-Seton has frustrated Carlton fans for much of 2020, knowing his ability to influence games yet not seeing it translate on gameday for far too long. He put his doubters to rest with a 22 Disposal performance, showing the silk and class that he possessed at Under 18 level. Along with ‘SPS’, many of Carlton’s youngsters were the catalyst for turning the tide when the club looked down-and-out for the count. They were led by Sam Walsh (again), leading all possession-getters on the night with 25 Disposals to go with 10 Score Involvements, 6 Inside 50s, 5 Intercept Possessions, 9 Marks and 600 Metres Gained. Jacob Weitering (15 Disposals, 12 Marks, 8 Intercept Possessions, 5 Spoils), still only 22 years of age, did what Jacob Weitering does as Carlton’s quarterback, solidifying has All-Australian credentials with another dominant display in defence for the Blues. Will Setterfield (16 Disposals, 8 Tackles, 4 Clearances, 4 Inside 50s) continued his impressive season, kick-starting the Blues out of stoppages alongside Ed Curnow, Cripps and Marc Murphy. Tom De Koning (19 Hitouts, 12 Disposals, 4 Clearances, 10 Contested Possessions) showed his finesse at ground level with clean hands all night, while holding his own in Ruck battles against Callum Sinclair. Those “green-shoots” that Blues fans have heard about for so long finally seem to be sprouting.

• Mental Madness: If you were to play Carlton’s 2020 games back-to-back from Round 1 until now, it’s almost as though they begin their most recent game as they finished their last:

The second half barrage against Melbourne translating to the first half onslaught against Geelong;

The 6-goal second half vs. St Kilda into the start-to-finish dominance against the Western Bulldogs;

The Bulldog bust-up leading into the first quarter blitz of Port Adelaide before the Robbie Gray after-the-siren heartbreaker, and;

Last week’s final quarter meltdown vs. GWS into this week’s painful first half against the Swans.

It’s a unique mindset that the Blues carry, but one that is clearly evident in the ebbs and flows of Carlton’s games this season. In addition to this, it’s undeniable that Carlton looks a better side when playing catch up than they do when leading. It has happened time and time again since day one under the guidance of David Teague as Head Coach, getting a win in his first game at the helm over Brisbane where the Blues again mounted another 7-goal comeback. If this Carlton side want to be taken as serious Finals contenders in 2021 and beyond, these lapses and internal mind games are the first things that need addressing in the off-season. 

Source: upnewsinfo.com

FINAL SCORES

Carlton: 0.4 (4), 4.4 (28), 6.9 (45), 8.9 (57)

Sydney: 3.0 (18), 7.2 (44), 8.3 (51), 8.4 (52)

Carlton Goals: McKay (2), Casboult, Cottrell, Cripps, Fisher, Newnes, Walsh

Carlton Best: Walsh, Cripps, Petrevski-Seton, Weitering, Setterfield