With the Easter long weekend upon us, a big round of footy starts off with the Thursday night clash, with Brisbane Lions playing host to Carlton at the Gabba in a matchup of two first-round winners. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7.40pm AEST.
Brisbane last week enjoyed their first win at the MCG for a few years, as they comfortably defeated a lacklustre Melbourne.
Ten years after his Brownlow win, Simon Black was back to his magnificent best, and his work in the midfield will be pivotal to the Lions’ chances. Rising youngster Tom Rockliff was another standout with his work on the forward line.
Carlton were frustrated for three quarters by Richmond in last Thursday night’s match, with only a kick in it early in the last term before the Blues powered away late in the game to blow the final margin out. The drive of Marc Murphy through the midfield was instrumental to Carlton’s win.
The contest for first use of the footy will be worth watching. Carlton’s Matthew Kreuzer and Brisbane’s Matthew Leuenberger dominated the rucks in their games last week; and the winner of that contest may well be pivotal to the chances their team is able to create.
Brisbane will have a more rushed build-up to this game, with only a five-day turnaround after playing last Saturday. In contrast, the Blues will have had a full seven day break, a big advantage for a side that showed last week one of their key attributes is their better endurance.
On the other hand, the Lions will enjoy home ground advantage, on their familiar Gabba turf. The Brisbane ground has been an unhappy place for the Blues over the last decade.
For Brisbane, Jesse O’Brien replaces Sam Sheldon in the selected side. Carlton have made no changes from last week.
Carlton will go into the game as warm favourites. But as we all know, upsets can and do happen. And particularly with the travel factor, this is a danger game for the Blues.
Join us live from 7.40pm AEST tonight for a live call of the game. Enter your comments and observations here, in a game that promises to get the long weekend off to an exciting start.
Redb
Roar Guru
Really enjoyed the first half, but after half time Carlton took complete control & I reached for the remote control. Can't stand them.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
For a side that has been getting spanked the last few years, I think it's pretty good.
Sam el Perro
Guest
25,000 was pretty poor for the Easter Thursday game. Used to get the best part of a full house for this. Lions are sadly on the nose in Brisbane.
Kit Harvey
Roar Guru
Carlton impressive with strong contributions from Judd, Murphy, Waite and the small forwards. Lachie Henderson has come on in leaps and bounds playing tall down back.
Crashy
Guest
Will the qld teams win many games this year? Pretty ordinary performance.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Final score - Carlton 23.16 (154) defeated Carlton 9.9 (63) Goals : Carlton - J Waite 5, J Garlett 3, C Judd 3, E Betts 2, M Murphy 2, K Simpson 2, S Hampson, M Kreuzer, K Lucas, H Scotland, Z Tuohy, C Yarran. Brisbane - R Lester 2, D Merrett 2, C Beams, B Hudson, J O'Brien, J Redden, D Rich. Best : Carlton - C Judd, J Waite, K Simpson, M Murphy, H Scotland, M Robinson. Brisbane - J Redden, M Leuenberger, D Rich, D Merrett, S Black, R Lester. A big win for the Blues to open the round, showing the football world that they mean business in 2012 with a devastating last three quarters. That's over and out from our live blog. Thanks for joining us. All the best for Good Friday tomorrow, and there'll be some more live blogs on The Roar on Saturday as the round continues with some more footy to look forward to.
mds1970
Roar Guru
The strains of "We are the navy blues" ring over the ground, the Blues fans staying around to sing the song. Chris Judd being interviewed - and what a contrast the first quarter was to the other three, for both Judd and his team. In the first term, Judd only managed two touches, as the Lions stayed with the Blues and led at quarter time. But it was one-way traffic from there, with Judd gathering 31 more touches over the remaining three quarters as the deficit was turned into a massive win. Plenty of options for goal, but Jarrad Waite was the focal point with a bag of 5. From an aesthetic viewpoint, Eddie Betts' two marks were clear highlights. Disappointment for the Lions, as they were unable to maintain their opening term speed, they had nothing more to give and the Blues ran all over them.
After a reasonable first quarter the speed and precision of Carlton showed up the many holes in the Brisbane game. Too slow, poor handling and disposal and uncertainty when they did have the ball showed the Lions could not match it with the Blues and the game was beyond doubt before half time. To give Brisbane their due they fought to the end but Carlton were just far too classy. The best parts of the match were two incredible screamers by Betts, either one of which might qualify for mark of the year.
mds1970
Roar Guru
The final siren sounds, mercy at last for the Lions as their nightmare is over. Final score Carlton 23.16 (154) defeated Brisbane 9.9 (63) - a 91-point win for the Blues.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Jarrad Waite leads out and marks. It's only 25 out, but a tight angle. Waite makes no mistake, kicks his 5th. Blues by 91. 29 minutes - Carlton 23.16 Brisbane 9.9
mds1970
Roar Guru
Blues go forward, snap a point.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Finally the Lions get a coherent movement inside 50, and Cheynee Stiller finds Jesse O'Brien, who plays on and the sub kicks a goal. 26 minutes - Carlton 22.15 Brisbane 9.9
mds1970
Roar Guru
The Brisbane crowd are filing out, but the Carlton cheer squad are in voice, revelling in this win. Will they get the margin up over 100?
mds1970
Roar Guru
It's a procession now, this time Yarran on the lead marks and goals to blow the margin out to 90 points. 23 minutes - Carlton 22.15 Brisbane 8.9
mds1970
Roar Guru
Yarran get inside 50, finds Scotland; and it's a bonnie wee kick that goes straight through. 22 minutes - Carlton 21.15 Brisbane 8.9
mds1970
Roar Guru
Betts can't control a mark, but gives it off to Simpson who misses.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Carlton centre break finds Kreuzer, marks 40 out. But his kick is unsuccessful.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Marc Murphy goes long to the square, looking for another goal, but it's touched on the line. Ball turned over, as it has been wth regularity, and Jarrad Waite kicks his fourth. 18 minutes - Carlton 20.13 Brisbane 8.9
mds1970
Roar Guru
25,913 at the game. Most will go home disappointed, but there's a reasonable contingent of Blues fans at the game.
mds1970
Roar Guru
The Blues get another, as Bryce Gibbs under pressure gives it off to Simpson who runs around and scores another.]]14 minutes - Carlton 19.10 Brisbane 8.9