The Wrap Up | Round 18 v Collingwood
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 18 Wrap Up following an unbelievable win against Collingwood.
MATCH SUMMARY
In front of an empty MCG on a cold Sunday twilight, these two arch-enemies faced off again with the Blues looking to level the ledger in a century-old rivalry. The Pies are playing for pride and the Blues are looking to keep slim finals chances alive whilst also determined not to lose to the Pies twice in one season.
The Pies got off to a great start as their small forwards dominated from the start again. Jamie Elliot got Collingwood’s first before youngster Oliver Henry got 2 in a row to give the Pies a 3 goal to 0 start. The Blues were made to rue missed chances as similar to last week, they missed very easy chances to get off the mark early in the game. Their deadlock was finally broken after the Quarter time siren as Jack Martin earned a free-kick directly in front and cut the margin to 11 at quarter time.
Within the first minute of the second term, the Pies got another through Will Hoskin-Elliot and I'm sure most Blues fans put their head in their hands and were anticipating another poor and lacklustre performance. This turned into panic station real quick and Brody Mihocek belted one from 50 to give the Pies a 23-point lead. Liam Stocker's long bomb from 50 was cancelled out by Oli Henry’s third and the Blues fans were getting worried by the minute. The Blues needed a spark, and when Jack Silvagni towered above all Collingwood defenders to mark 15 out directly in front which gave the Blues a spark. The spark was supercharged when Eddie Betts plucked a mark which he had no right to get and went back to cut the margin to a measly 10 points.
The third quarter started the timider of the first 3, no goal until the 8-minute mark where Steele Sidebottom got out the back and slammed him his first. The Pies got the next 8 minutes later through Darcy Cameron and the same old story was happening again. But not today it wasn't. The Blues kicked 3 of the last 4 goals, which included a Matthew Kennedy goal from Lygon Street and the Blues yet again, cut the margin down to 8 points.
The last quarter started and with that, the Blues Blitz began. For the first time in the game, Harry McKay was isolated 1v1 deep inside 50 and there was only one winner in the battle, he kicked his first. Before Eddie Betts did vintage Eddie Betts, dancing around a couple of defenders at the foot of the pack and kicking truly to give the Blues the lead for the first time in the match. Then, 3 minutes later, the ball falls to Sam Walsh tucked up in the pocket, he gets rid of John Noble, dances around Jack Crisp and floats an up and under which sails through to give the Baggers a 13-point lead with 12 minutes to go. Vintage Sam Walsh. Then from the Sam Walsh clearance, he hit Harry lace out who went back and kicked his 2nd, and the Blues were nearly there. The Pies managed to stop the bleeding, but the Blues kept them at bay as time ticked down which made the task hard for the Pies. The Blues needed a moment of brilliance to be that steadier, and who else other than Jack Silvagni. He rose into the night sky, high-5ing his Nonno on the way down, and brought down a ripper of a mark, before sending a long barrel inside 50 which fell on the chest of 'H' - who went back and got his 3rd. Harry got his 4th with minutes remaining to cap off one of the best final quarters the Carlton football club has ever produced.
The best of the day for the Blues were Sam Walsh (39 disposals, 9 marks, 5 tackles, 5 clearances) Matt Kennedy (26 disposals, 7 marks, 7 tackles, 6 clearances) and Jacob Weitering (12 marks, 9 rebound 50’s, 18 disposals going at 94%)
For Serge 💙
BREAKING IT DOWN: KEY MATCH INSIGHTS
Finally, Some Contested Success
With no Patrick Cripps, Grundy vs a very inexperienced ruckman and JSOS and the precedent set in round 2, the Pies were licking their lips at the prospect of constant stoppages against this fallible Carlton team. However, this new, quick midfield ran the Pies off their feet and proved to be the catalyst for the Carlton comeback. Despite losing the hitouts 32-23, the Blues won the clearances 22-36, and around the ground was where they did their biggest damage, with 14-23 in favour of the Blues for stoppage clearances. This was led by the young brigade, as Kennedy, Dow, Walsh and De Koning were all in the top 5 of clearances for the game.
It’s Sam Walsh’s World, We’re All Living In It.
Seriously, how good is this kid? Another best on ground performance, another perfect 10 of the coaches votes and another clutch goal to get the Blues over the line is there anything this kid can't do. Ever since being shut out against the Giants, he has had 4 3 vote performances in a row and is proving to everyone why he was the absolute right choice at pick number 1. Looking at his game in detail, he led the game for pressure act with 26, only committed 1 clanger, had a game-high 4 centre clearances and went the whole game at 80% efficiency, that is insane. It is now undisputed that he has surpassed Patrick Cripps as our number 1 midfielder and is also proving to be quite the match-winner as well.
FINAL SCORES
Collingwood: 3.2 (20), 6.4 (40), 9.5 (59), 9.8 (62)
Carlton: 1.3 (9), 4.6 (30), 7.9 (51), 13.13 (91)
Carlton Goals: McKay (4), Betts (2), Silvagni, Martin, De Koning, Williams, Kennedy, Walsh, Stocker
Carlton Best: Walsh, Kennedy, Weitering, McKay, Stocker, Fisher, Silvagni, Martin,
