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The Blues recorded their second consecutive win after defeating the Bombers in a scrappy game at the MCG. We probably had one of the worst halves of football in the first half as the strong swirly wind combined with very poorly executed skills saw a goalless second quarter.
The wind died down in the second half and the skill level improved slightly in the third quarter and we ended up seeing quite an entertaining last quarter as the game opened up and both teams went on a scoring spree of sorts. We saw nine goals in the last quarter, the same number as the whole first three quarters produced.
Blues captain Marc Murphy was very influential in that last quarter with ten disposals and five score involvements. He had support from Daisy Thomas who was good all day and Bryce Gibbs. The three finished as the Blues leading possession winners. Special mention to Matthew Wright who was good in patches as was Ciaran Byrne.
For the Bombers, they really struggled to take a mark up forward taking only six inside 50 marks compared with Carlton’s 18. It wasn’t until the last quarter when Sam Grimley took two marks and kicked two goals to give his side a chance that their tall options really had aerial impact.
Adam Cooney had a terrific game and has had a good few weeks. He finished with 31 possessions, 13 of which were contested.
Courtenay Dempsey played his best game for a while and mature age draftees Michael Hartley and Mitch Brown were solid taking 15 marks between them.
Team stats were fairly even but the Blues won the inside 50 count 63-47 and contested possessions 145-126.
A very scrappy affair but the rebuilding Blues would be happy with the win.
Final score
Carlton 10.12 (72)
Essendon 8.9 (57)
The Carlton Blues will hoping to carry the momentum of last week’s shock win over the slumping Fremantle Dockers when they take on arch-rivals the Essendon Bombers on Sunday afternoon at the MCG. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 3:20pm (AEST).
Led by their veteran midfield duo of Kade Simpson and captain Marc Murphy the Blues had one of their best wins in years when they outlasted the Dockers by four points. Rising star Patrick Cripps was also influential with 30 possessions including 20 contested.
Dale Thomas had one of his better games in a Blues guernsey and finished with three goals. The game was admittedly of low standard but for new coach Brendon Bolton it signalled an important achievement at a ground that’s always difficult to win on.
They have a big chance to make it consecutive wins against a Bombers outfit that is coming off a huge loss last Monday against the Pies at the Anzac Day clash. The heavy defeat was very similar to two other heavy losses the suspension-hit Bombers have had this season against the Suns and Port Power.
In each of these three losses the Bombers were jumped in the first quarter managing to score only a solitary goal while their opponents have registered five, seven and eight goals in first terms respectively.
The Bombers have been able to match their opponents later in the game but by then it has been too late. Essendon have been surprisingly good at times this season thanks to midfield dynamos David Zaharakis and Zach Merrett who both average in the top 20 disposal winners in the league, along with support from some of their older players.
Rookie Darcy Parish has also been averaging 22 disposals a game.
Both of these teams struggle up forward and not surprisingly are the two lowest-scoring teams in the league. They not only lack players who can take a big mark up forward but also lack a supply of opportunities as only Brisbane ranks lower in contested possessions.
Joe Daniher has shown glimpses this season but has been very quiet in the last few weeks as has Blues key forward Levi Casboult.
However both teams would be encouraged at the other end of the ground. No.1 draft pick Jacob Weitering has looked like a veteran in the Blues backline, as has Essendon mature rookie Michael Hartley.
Prediction
With both forward lines struggling this game will be won and lost in the middle and which team can apply the pressure the longest. Both sides may be feeling last week’s games as the Blues come back from an always arduous trip to the west while the Bombers face a short break after Monday’s game.
Blues by 18 points.
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