The Wrap Up | Round 22 V Port Adelaide
Written by Ari Stamatakos
MATCH SUMMARY
After an embarrassing performance against the Gold Coast Suns, the Blues finals chances were done. Another wasted season left the final 2 games of the season to be near on meaningless. A habit-building fortnight awaited the Blues were as the Power were looking to lock in a top 4 position and extend their winning form heading into September.
A cagey opening saw the first goal come in the 8th-minute mark through Todd Marshall with a very instinctive finish. That was quickly responded to by Mitch McGovern who snatched the ball in mid-air from the goal square and marks, he plays on and goals. Lovely forward pressure from Matt Kennedy is rewarded by the umpire who gave him the free kick directly in front, back-to-back goals for the Blues. The final goal of the term came through Miles Bergman whose high up and under sailed through to get the margin to 4 points at the first break.
The Blues started like a house on fire in the second quarter as Levi Casboult marked inside 50 and went back to kick his first of the afternoon. This was before a bit of magic from the debutant Corey Durdin who gave it to Josh Honey who gave the Blues a 15-point lead. The Josh Honey magic continued as he got boot to ball as quick as anything and gave the Blues a 23-point lead. This was an incredible performance so far, but things were going to get really bad, really quickly. The Power would then kick the next 6 goals of that quarter in a 28-point turnaround to give them a 15-point lead at the main break. Marshall got the first, then the skipper Travis Boak got his first, Mitch Georgiades kicked truly for his first, Fantasia got it from Boak and kicked his first, Scott Lycett’s set shot is good for his first, then Charlie Dixon is gifted a free-kick and smacked it home from 15 out directly in front to end the half.
Whilst it was a very, very poor end to the second half, there was still hope. We had shown that we can take it to this Port Adelaide side, all we needed was the first goal and the Blues would be back on track. So, when Connor Rozee got the first of the half, that put paves to the plan. Robbie Gray got his first not long after and you could kiss the game goodbye if you were a Blues fan. The Blues did well to restrict the Power to only 2 more goals in the quarter, those coming from Dixon and Peter Ladhams, but only registering 3 points in a quarter of footy is beyond diabolical.
The last quarter started, and all the Blues were looking for a good effort to end this horrendous game and at least put in a show for Murph’s last game. That’s what he hoped, but not what we got, as a 67-3 last quarter embarrassed not only the Carlton players, coaching staff, and administration, but the fans. The people who have as little control over the result of games as anyone, care and are hurt by this the most. Dixon finished the game with 4 goals and Kennedy got BOG with 28 touches, 7 tackles and a goal to his name, one of the very few people who can hold their head high after that game.
BREAKING IT DOWN: KEY MATCH INSIGHTS
Annihilation in Adelaide:
Port Adelaide completely destroyed Carlton. From halfway through the second quarter, it was one-way traffic, and the Blues had no hope. Yes, Carlton did bring it on themselves with their ball use, to some extent. As 66% disposals efficiency and 70 clangers aren’t going to win any football games anytime soon. But in saying this, Port Adelaide won every single KPI, without fail. Contested Possessions 159-120, Uncontested Possessions 248-201, Clearances 39-33, Shots on Goal 35-20, Inside 50’s 62-43, Marks 94-88 and Marks Inside 50 15-11. Just listing every single one, puts into perspective how poor Carlton played. There is no game style, no plan, no structure. Just 22 players who looked like they hadn’t seen each other before. The game was only not a blowout due to the pressure that Carlton were able to put on. The Blues won the tackle count 54-60 and surprisingly so, considering the theme of the season. This was lead through the midfield as Fisher, Kennedy, Walsh, and Murphy were our top 4 tacklers with 7,7,6 and 5 respectively. If you could optimise Carlton season in one performance, this would be it. Not a bad start, promising middle period, before absolutely capitulating at the seams.
FINAL SCORES
Port Adelaide: 2.2 (14), 8.6 (54), 7.7 (83), 12.9 (140)
Carlton: 2.6 (18), 5.9 (39), 5.12 (42), 5.15 (45)
Carlton Goals: Honey (2), McGovern, Kennedy, Casboult
Carlton Best: Walsh, Kennedy, Murphy, Honey
