The Wrap Up | Round 7 V Essendon

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 7 Wrap Up following a massive victory over Essendon 

MATCH SUMMARY:

The biggest match of the season for both teams, but in particular the Blues, who needed to bounce back after 2 back to back defeats, the pressure was mounting on David Teague big time. The Bombers played their grand final the week prior, but the MCG stage brings a finals-like atmosphere rarely seen outside of the games in September, this made the 4 points just as important for both teams.  

Essendon got off to the better start, Anthony Mcdonald-Tipungwuti (AMT) (4 goals, 10 disposals) marked 30 out in the pocket and squeezed through the game’s first. The Blues responded quickly with 2 of their own. A bit of Eddie Betts (3 goals, 13 disposals, 7 score involvements) magic in the middle of the ground found Mitch McGovern (1 goal, 5 marks) who marked, given a 50-metre penalty to send him to the goal line, he slams through the Baggers first of the day. Not long after, Sam Walsh (33 disposals, 1 goal, 7 clearances, 5 tackles) with a beautiful drop-step, sends the defender one way he goes the other, outside of the foot, Carlton has their 2nd. The Bombers clap back, an unlucky bounce finds Archie Perkins (18 disposals, 6 marks) who kicks to the unmanned Cale Hooker (5 goals, 7 marks) out the back who kicks his first and scores are level. Betts and Jake Stringer (3 goals, 18 disposals) trade goals before the Bombers got control. Harrison Jones () got his first and quickly added to by AMT. Adam Saad’s (21 disposals, 1 goal, 677 metres gained) long-range goal was cancelled out by ATM kicking his third of the term and the Bombers had the lead heading into quarter time. 

The Bombers continued their run as a Harry Jones goal put them 21 points up halfway through the 2nd term and it was panic stations for the Blues. After a poor start, being 4 goals down to the arch-enemy with the game seemingly on their terms, they needed to find a spark from somewhere. That somewhere was 2nd game player Matthew Owies (3 goals, 4 tackles) who marked 45 out and kicked truly to get the ball rolling for the Blues. Betts kicks one not long after and the Blues were just about back in the game. The Bombers looked to have held on till half time with a one-goal lead however Ed Curnow (26 disposals, 1 goal, 6 tackles) launched from 50 to cut the margin to 2 points at the main break. The Blues fightback and the desire they showed late in the second quarter to get the game back on their terms gave the Blues fans the confidence in their team that they could go on and win this match. 

Harry McKay (4 goals, 6 marks) kicked one nice and early to give the Blues the lead for the first time since early in the first quarter. Both sides traded goals before AMT scraped one through from the goal square to give the Bombers the lead back. Owies kicked his third to put the Blues back in front before the all-in brawl right in front of the Carlton cheer squad got the MCG rocking and rumbling once again. From then on in, it just felt that it was Carlton's game to lose. Eddie kicked his third minutes later in typical Betts fashion and the Blues took a 10 point lead heading into the last change.

It was all set for a blockbuster final term, as the stormy clouds hailed over the MCG, the lights became brighter as it was a chance for each player to become a hero. The Bombers cut the margin early back to 4 points, but it was all Carlton in the last term. Lachie Fogarty (2 goals, 14 disposals) got on the end of a miss-cued Nikolas Cox (14 disposals, 3 clearances, 8 score involvements) defensive fist and snapped through his second. Before a 6-6-6 violation against the Blues ends up being the catalyst for the Blues next. As the Bombers defenders flood forward, Sam Docherty (19 disposals, 5 rebound 50’s, 540 metres gained) belts the ball ways, it finds the chest Betts and you don't leave a man of his quality alone with that much space, he hits up 'H' on the lead and he goes back and kicks his 3rd. A lengthy period passes and like in previous weeks, this meant the next goal became 10 times more important. However, unlike previous weeks, it was the Blues who got that all-important next goal. It started with a big Sam Petrevski-Seton (14 disposals, 6 score involvements) intercept mark deep in defensive 50. Which was worked up to Harry in the forward 50, he gets the free, wheels around and kicks another one. The Blues are nearly there. From the restart, the ball finds Patrick Cripps (24 disposals, 5 marks, 7 inside '50s), he bursts through the stoppage, sees a vacant 50, with all the misses playing the background it seemed, the ball in the air for an eternity. But when it sailed through, the MCG went berserk, and Carlton were all but home. That was the Cripps which we have all known, and that was the Cripps which has been missing for what seems to be 2 years. Hopefully, for all Blues fans, this goal can be the circuit-breaker and he can return to his best footy which we all know, is very, very, very good. A couple of consolation goals by the Bombers were cancelled out by a David Cuningham (2 goals, 25 disposals, 5 inside '50s) sealer and the Blues recorded their 3rd, but most important win of the season. 

BREAKING IT DOWN: KEY MATCH INSIGHTS 

Key Moments by Young Players

Everyone knew this match was going to be won on moments. Which players could step up in the heat of battle and show why they want it more than the opposition. Three moments that stood out as key ones is the flow and momentum of the game. 

Luke Parks tackle on Mcdonald-Tipungwuti. (with a little help from Stocker)

16 minutes gone in the 2nd term and Owies had just kicked a goal to get the Blues back into the game. Jones tapped on for Mcdonald-Tipungwuti sent him free in the 50, tucked up in the pocket, brilliant foot candy to get rid of Stock, but did not see the modern-day Bruce Doull creep up behind and slam him into the ground. Luke Parks with a tackle that sent shockwaves through the Essendon camp and rejuvenated the Carlton one. Mcdonald-Tipungwuti was having a blinder up until then, kicking three goals and controlling the game. From then on in, he did not have a touch in that quarter, 5 for the rest of the game and only kicking 1 goal. That completely changed the momentum of the game and swung it fully into the Blues favour  

Owies kicking his third then starting a biffo. 

Playing his 2nd game of footy, first in front of a packed MCG, it wouldn't be remiss of a player to go into the shell and not potentially play their best footy. With all the pressure from Fans, Media and critics alike, it may be too much for some players. Matt Owies saw that notion and couldn't hear it through his 3 goals and 4 tackles which inspired this Carlton team over the line. Owies had a game to remember, and it was epitomised when he kicked his third, gee'd up the Carlton cheersquad and stuck it in the face of Nathan Redman. Intern starting an all-in brawl which Carlton won 50-45 on all judges’ scoreboards. Another instance of sending fear through this Essendon team and showing what winning this game meant to this Carlton team. Honourable mention to another Owies moment, tackle on Cox in the goal square early in the last to stop a certain goal. Desperation. 

SPS intercept mark late in the game.  

A man that has been heavily criticised by nearly everyone in recent times. SPS came into the game as a sub after being dropped following a pretty poor display against the Lions. After Paddy Dow went down early, the responsibility was put on him to show why he should stay in this side. He didn't have the best of games, he's had better, as well as worse. It wasn't his day, but this was his moment.  Darcy Parish sent a high one in towards Kyle Langford, who, in a miss-match with Cunners, Langford probably would've won. The high ball came in, coming across the one-on-one was the Hall's Creek Cowboy, taking a splendid mark and saving a near-certain goal for the Bombers. What was more crucial than the mark, was the repercussions. The ball gets moved up the wing, kicked high in the forward 50, H draws a free, kicks a goal, all started from SPS display of desperation.  

FINAL SCORES

Essendon:                              6.4 (40), 8.7 (55), 12.8 (80), 16.11 (107) 

Carlton:                   4.2 (26), 8.5 (53), 14.7 (91), 19.9 (123) 

Carlton Goals:               McKay (4), Betts (3), Owies (3), Cuningham (2), Fogarty (2) Cripps, Walsh, Curnow, McGovern, Saad                              

Carlton Best:                Walsh, McKay, Weitering, Cunningham, Curnow, Saad, Cripps, Owies, Betts