Pre-season NAB Cup footy continues tonight at AAMI Stadium as the Adelaide Crows and Carlton lock horns. We’ll have live scores and commentary from 8.40pm AEDT.
We saw completely different fortunes with these two sides last weekend.
Carlton stormed away from Fremantle and shot to the top of the NAB Cup table, while Adelaide got trounced by Geelong at Simonds Stadium despite fielding a good line-up.
But as we all know, we’re still a couple of weeks away from the real stuff getting underway. So for the clubs it’s still all about trial and error, as well as getting game time into their players.
With Mick Malthouse at the helm, it’s not hard to expect the hype is growing out at Carlton.
The Blues are so far undefeated through the NAB Cup with Levi Casboult, Jeff Garlett and Zach Tuohy playing strong, while Sam Rowe has been the feel-good story of the pre-season after his battle with testicular cancer and is now playing some decent footy.
Their percentage is so strong (185.45 percent) that even if they do lose tonight, there is a fair chance they will still make next Saturday night’s NAB Cup grand final.
The midfield brigade has been exemplary to date with the work around the stoppages a key so far.
Use of the ball by foot, the power forwards and the use of the boundary also means they’ve looked slick.
Keep in mind that Malthouse has been tinkering with the game plan.
Jarrad Waite will still be missing with a calf injury, while David Ellard won’t be there with a hamstring injury from last week’s match.
For the Adelaide Crows, they may still say “it’s just pre-season”. But there’s no doubting they would have been very disappointed with the performance put on field last weekend.
With a good team on the park, that should be pushing for another top-four spot, their loss to Geelong was poor.
The basic ball skills seemed lacking, while their run and carry was missing.
There has been some talk of a lack of confidence among some in the group, especially with full-forward Taylor Walker. In reality, Walker’s always lacked consistency so nothing’s really changed.
What has been revealed during the week is that a dozen of their players had been suffering from a stomach bug, which could be a reason for the lack of pizazz.
The good news is last week’s game is now a distant memory as they get towards the light at the end of the pre-season tunnel.
Coach Brenton Sanderson has mooted a raft of changes for tonight’s game with Daniel Talia, Rory Sloane, Ian Callinan and Jared Petrenko expected to be included.
Does the Carlton’s NAB Cup charge under new mentor Mick Malthouse continue tonight? Find out from 8.40pm AEDT.
TheSportsFreak
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So that's it from AAMI Stadium. Adelaide falling away late, but able to hang on for their first second of the pre-season. While Carlton will need to rely on results to go their way to make the Grand Final. What it does do is put the winner of Collingwood and Brisbane straight into the Grand Final, while North Melbourne could also make it if they can beat Geelong. Tomorrow, I'll be bringing you coverage of Hawthorn vs. Richmond at Aurora Stadium from 1pm AEDT. I'll see you then. Twitter - @TheSportsFreak
TheSportsFreak
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Full Time - ADEL 4.11.7 (109) | CARL 2.13.10 (106) GOALKICKERS (* - SuperGoal) ADEL – Taylor Walker 5**, Josh Jenkins 2, Sam Jacobs 1*, Bernie Vince 1*, Patrick Dangerfield 1, Jared Petrenko 1, Richard Douglas 1, Graham Johncock 1, Nathan van Berlo 1 CARL – Kane Lucas 3, Brock McLean 2*, Mitch Robinson 2, Dennis Armfield 2, Marc Murphy 1*, Jeff Garlett 1, Heath Scotland 1, Shaun Hampson 1, Andrew Carrazzo 1, Chris Yarran 1 PLAYER STATS Scott Thompson ADEL 26 disposals, 14 contested possessions, 6 clearances, 4 tackles, 4 inside 50’s, 2 goal assists Brock McLean CARL 24 disposals, 10 contested possessions, 4 marks, 6 inside 50’s Bernie Vince ADEL 21 disposals, 10 contested possessions, 5 marks, 4 clearances, 4 rebound 50’s, 4 inside 50’s, 1 super goal Andrew Carrazzo CARL 20 disposals, 13 contested possessions, 5 clearances, 6 tackles, 4 inside 50’s, 1 goal Ed Curnow CARL 20 disposals, 9 contested possessions, 3 clearances, 5 tackles, 3 inside 50’s, 2 goal assists TEAM STATS Disposals: ADEL 280-271, Clearances: ADEL 36-29, Inside 50’s: CARL 53-41, Marks Inside 50: ADEL 12-5, Contested Possessions: CARL 136-126, Hitouts: CARL 41-26, Tackles: CARL 51-49
TheSportsFreak
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Full Time - ADEL 4.11.7 (109) | CARL 2.13.10 (106) Adelaide slow it down... and the siren sounds! A cracking contest (well, with no real defence) and it's still the pre-season! Adelaide hang on. Carlton gives their own percentage a knock... but they might still sneak into the Grand Final with percentage. The final quarter all Carlton, but the Crows get up by 3 points
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Q4 0:46 left - ADEL 4.11.7 (109) | CARL 2.13.10 (106) Free Kick in the back line to Jeremy Laidler. Gotta move quick. To the wing towards Jeff Garlett... runs away from a defender... but Matt Jaensch fights back and CHASES HIM DOWN! Ball!
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Q4 1:025 left - ADEL 4.11.7 (109) | CARL 2.13.10 (106) Another turnover at half back for the Crows! What's going on here, Crows?! McLean hands off to Chris Yarran... storms into an open GOAL! The Blues have 85 seconds to steal this one
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Cheers Lionel. Helps for those without the PayTV. Your boys are coming!
TheSportsFreak
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Q4 2:06 left - ADEL 4.11.7 (109) | CARL 2.12.10 (100) Free kick near centre wing for the Blues - Ed Curnow pushed in the back. Sets up another scoring chance. Poor kick though to Brock McLean... had to beat 3 and did. Off to Shaun Hampson, then kicks to the pocket - ANDREW WALKER!!!! This time he does get some hang time! BOOM! Kicks from 20m out on the boundary - Missed it!
TheSportsFreak
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Q4 4:00 left - ADEL 4.11.7 (109) | CARL 2.12.9 (99) Andrew Carrazzo having a fair impact on the last 10 minutes. His nose has been battered all night, but he's never giving up. Make him the captain NOW!
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Q4 5:45 left - ADEL 4.11.7 (109) | CARL 2.12.9 (99) Graham Johncock gives away the free kick to Zach Tuohy for a hold. Tuohy goes to the pocket... ANDREW WALKER... almost takes a screamer... but it's spoilt to the boundary line. Carlton on the run again through Marc Murphy at Centre Half Forward. Handballs to 'The Mummy' Andrew Carrazzo - kicks from 45m out - GOAL!!! Here come the Blues...
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Q4 7:00 left - ADEL 4.11.7 (109) | CARL 2.11.9 (93) Matthew KREEEEEUUUUUZER! Good grab across half back. He's kick to half forward is advantageous... a free kick to the Blues for a hold, advantage to Eddie Betts... but can't hit a target up forward. Turn over again at half forward for the Blues but the kick on goal is across the face and out on the full.
TheSportsFreak
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Q4 9:00 left - ADEL 4.11.7 (109) | CARL 2.11.9 (93) Eddie Betts with a ripping chase-down of Brent Reilly in Adelaide's F50. Might be able to help set something up. Matthew Kreuzer to Kade Simpson through the midfield, but Bernie Vince with a stop against Zach Tuohy across half forward.
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Q4 10:40 left - ADEL 4.11.7 (109) | CARL 2.11.9 (93) Carlton still well and truly in this. Disposal count - CARL 49-20!
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Q4 11:15 left - ADEL 4.11.7 (109) | CARL 2.11.9 (93) Marc Murphy with a nice smother at half forward, then a good little give from the same spot to the top of the goal square. Pack forms, ball spills, Shaun Hampson collects the crumbs 10m out - GOAL!
TheSportsFreak
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Q4 12:25 left - ADEL 4.11.7 (109) | CARL 2.10.9 (87) Josh Jenkins has had a real impact in the pre-season. He was always going to have a bit more to do with no Kurt Tippett, but he's taken the game plan to a 'T'. Problem for the Crows is that they keep turning the ball over. The Blues turning up the heat. Nice kick from Ed Curnow at half forward to find Andrew Walker. Kicks from 45m out - POST!
TheSportsFreak
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Q4 14:00 left - ADEL 4.11.7 (109) | CARL 2.10.8 (86) Carlton with a couple of chances to go for goal, but a couple of tired-looking attempts to mark near the goal line means the Crows have been able to rebound. Plus the odd bit of heroics from the Crows defence.
TheSportsFreak
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Q4 17:10 left - ADEL 4.11.7 (109) | CARL 2.10.8 (86) Ripping tackle from Mitch Robinson inside his forward 50. It spills the ball, comes free for the Blues and then a rocket handball to Heath Scotland - kicks from 25m out - GOAL! Keeps them in it...
TheSportsFreak
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Q4 19:00 left - ADEL 4.11.7 (109) | CARL 2.9.8 (80) POST! Chris Yarran with a bomb from 51m out... was looking for a super goal, but that hits the post. SUBSTITUTION - Brodie Martin on for Adelaide for Patrick Dangerfield
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Q4 19:59 left - ADEL 4.11.7 (109) | CARL 2.9.7 (79) Can the Blues stem the flow from the Crows? Final quarter gets underway. SUBSTITUTIONS Carlton - Simon White on for Michael Jamison and Frazer Dale on for Aaron Joseph.
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Three Quarter Time - ADEL 4.11.7 (109) | CARL 2.9.7 (79) GOALKICKERS (* - SuperGoal) ADEL – Taylor Walker 5**, Josh Jenkins 2, Sam Jacobs 1*, Bernie Vince 1*Patrick Dangerfield 1, Jared Petrenko 1, Richard Douglas 1, Graham Johncock 1, Nathan van Berlo 1 CARL – Kane Lucas 3, Brock McLean 2*, Mitch Robinson 2, Dennis Armfield 2, Jeff Garlett 1, Marc Murphy 1* PLAYER STATS Scott Thompson ADEL 23 disposals, 12 contested possessions, 6 clearances, 3 tackles, 4 inside 50’s, 2 goal assists Patrick Dangerfield ADEL 16 disposals, 12 contested possessions, 4 clearances, 3 tackles, 6 bounces, 1 goal Bernie Vince ADEL 15 disposals, 7 contested possessions, 4 marks, 4 rebound 50’s, 4 inside 50’s, 1 super goal Brent Reilly ADEL 15 disposals, 5 marks, 5 one-percenters, 2 inside 50’s TEAM STATS Disposals: ADEL 218-178, Clearances: ADEL 30-23, Inside 50’s: CARL 36-34, Marks Inside 50: ADEL 12-2, Contested Possessions: ADEL 99-92, Hitouts: CARL 37-19
TheSportsFreak
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Three Quarter Time - ADEL 4.11.7 (109) | CARL 2.9.7 (79) Siren sounds - a dominant quarter from the Adelaide Crows, almost has this one in the bag. If the Blues don't arrest this, they could be in danger of missing the Grand Final from a decent spot leading into this match. It's Adelaide by 30pts at 3 Qtr Time