Blues show they’re back with big AFL win over Cats
Roger Vaughan |
Carlton are back, claiming the prized scalp of Geelong to prove their AFL season is on track.
The Blues withstood the Cats’ inevitable second-half comeback to win a pulsating MCG clash on Sunday 14.10 (94) to 12.4 (76).
After starting the season with four-straight losses, Carlton are now on a three-game roll and the circumstances of Sunday’s impressive win will fuel their confidence.
In particular, key forward Harry McKay was outstanding with three goals. After shanking a set shot in the hectic last quarter, he kicked a massive goal a few minutes later, and took several crucial marks through the game.
McKay needed three weeks off earlier this season due to mental health issues and was concussed in his first game back.
Fellow key forward Charlie Curnow also kicked three goals and midfielders Patrick Cripps, Sam Walsh and George Hewett all heaped pressure on the Cats.
Fittingly, Hewett’s booming 50m goal sealed the win and coach Michael Voss was rapt with his team.
Adding to the occasion, Carlton’s most recent premiership team had their 30-year reunion at the match.
“It’s given hope, but the fightback has been impressive,” Voss said of Sunday’s win.
Carlton led by 28 points at three-quarter time, but given their second-half fade-outs earlier this year and Geelong’s class, the Cats were always going to challenge them.
Geelong closed to within 10 points in the last term, before Carlton steadied superbly.
“There’s belief clearly growing about how we feel, that if we play it and play it consistently, that it can stack up against anybody,” Voss said.
“We weren’t living up to that early days.
“I guess that what’s turned is we’ve been able to do it for longer than what we were.
“We’re sitting there at half time – you know what Geelong are going to do. They were going to come.”
Geelong coach Chris Scott said his “glass half-full” perspective is his side gave themselves a chance to win.
“Every team has had one of those days this year when they just couldn’t execute or it didn’t look like ‘us’,” Scott added.
“That’s as bad as I’ve seen us play for a long time.
“Sometimes you have those days – and you hope they’re rare – and you lose by 70 points. We hung in and we gave ourselves a chance.
“But every time we looked like we drawing level, we made another error.”
Jeremy Cameron shone for Geelong with four goals, while Lawson Humphries and fellow defender Connor O’Sullivan stood up under plenty of pressure.
Blues forward Zac Williams was forced out of the game in the first term with a calf injury after kicking a freakish goal, while Geelong backman Tom Stewart played out the game despite a knock to his knee early.
AAP
