Carlton crash to horror loss as pressure rises on coach
Steve Larkin |
Carlton have crashed to a humiliating 50-point loss to Port Adelaide as the heat rises on embattled coach Michael Voss.
The Blues managed just one goal in a meek first half as the Power romped to a 16.14 (110) to 8.12 (60) win on Thursday night at Adelaide Oval.
Pundits were already querying if Voss will survive to serve out his contract which expires at the end of next season.
And the Blues’ alarming lack of early fight will trigger fresh debate after Port booted the initial eight goals of a lopsided encounter.
“We just didn’t come with an appetite to the contest,” Voss said.
“What I feel right now as a leader is, I feel really disappointed for our people – we feel like we’re creating a great environment but we’re not getting the results we’re after.
“We’re enormously disappointed … but it’s time to come together, not isolate.”
Carlton, who next meet ladder leaders Collingwood and then reigning premiers the Brisbane Lions, slipped to 11th on the ladder with six wins and nine losses.
The Blues, who will likely be three wins outside the top eight by round’s end, also lost creative backman Adam Saad to concussion.
Saad was felled by a shoulder bump from Port ruckman Dante Visentini which sparked a prolonged push-and-shove between a mass of players at halftime.
Saad’s injury came during Carlton’s horror opening half – instead of a steely response to last week’s shock 11-point loss to North Melbourne, the Blues didn’t offer a yelp.
Port kicked 5.4 to 0.3 in an ominous opening term and then added another three consecutive majors – when Mitch Georgiades booted his fourth goal, they led 58-6.
Carlton’s Lewis Young finally scored the visitors’ first goal 26 minutes into the second term.
At halftime, Port led 8.10 to 1.6 – the second-lowest opening half in Voss’s four-year tenure at Carlton.
The Blues largely kept pace with their hosts in the second half, scoring seven goals to Port’s eight, but the damage was done.
“Right from the very start we were on in all phases,” Port coach Ken Hinkley said.
“We were matching the best team in the comp in contested possession, we were moving the ball pretty well, scoring – and then we were able to defend them.
“It was a good all-round performance.’
Power spearhead Georgiades finished with five goals, Willie Rioli kicked three and Darcy Byrne-Jones two.
Utility Miles Bergman (25 disposals) also booted two majors while limiting Carlton skipper Patrick Cripps to 17 touches and a consolation last-term goal.
Port captain Connor Rozee and his deputy Zak Butters were standouts with 30 disposals apiece, four-gamer Hugh Jackson (17) impressed, as did recruit Joe Richards (22).
Carlton’s Orazio Fantasia kicked two goals, George Hewett led the visitor’s disposal count with 22 featuring only six kicks and veteran Sam Docherty was their next-best ball-winner with 19 disposals.
AAP
