There’s only one win between West Coast Eagles and Carlton who do battle tonight at Patersons Stadium. We’ll have live scores and commentary from 7.40pm AEST.
There was a lot of pressure on both these teams in the lead up to the 2013 season and so far, it’s not gone well for either of them.
West Coast got their season off and going last week against the lowly Demons but had two pastings before that, while Carlton is yet to get off the mark as they try to get through their tough opening draw.
Last week the Eagles looked slow off the mark against the worst team right now in the competition. After half time, they were able to slam home 17 goals and equal their highest-scoring half of football in their history.
While that doesn’t seem too impressive against Melbourne, at least they got a win on the board and had some good positives to come from the match.
Josh Kennedy continues to impress, not just up forward with his five goals, but also getting up the ground and getting 15 possessions.
Jack Darling also booted five goals, while Chris Masten and Matt Priddis got going in the second half.
They lost hard-nut defender Beau Waters in the pre-game and he won’t be back this weekend along with Andrew Embley who injured his foot during Saturday’s match.
That injury list at West Coast is still very worrying with Sharrod Wellingham’s return put back, along with Nic Naitanui and Mark Nicoski.
Carlton has been very close to victory in all three of their matches so far, but is 0-3 for the third time in fifty years.
A lot of this has to do with the tough draw in the first few rounds. Most pundits warned they could be in this position, yet still be finals contenders, so it’s not a time for panic yet.
The disappointing side to Carlton’s losses would be that they’ve conceded big scores – well over 100 points.
They’ll also have to do without Matthew Kreuzer, who was a casualty early in their loss to Geelong with a thumb injury – he’ll be out of action for around a month.
With Kreuzer on the sidelines, Matthew Warnock is a chance to return after a strong VFL performance for the Northern Blues, while Levi Casboult could slip back in after being an emergency last week.
The Blues will need to not only arrest a three-loss start to the season, but also a three-game losing streak against the Eagles.
Maybe former Eagles coach Mick Malthouse can find a way to come away from Patersons Stadium with a kick-start to Carlton’s season.
Will West Coast get their first win at home this season, or will Carlton get their first win full stop? Coverage begins from 7.40pm AEST.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Well, they say that if you can't say anything positive, don't say anything at all. So I'm just going to say that at least my season membership wait-list number is liable to get a healthy kick-along.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Like I said earlier in the match, it seems as if they've regressed to their 2010 ways. No attack at the footy, poor kicking efficiency...
Nathan of Perth
Guest
...are we tanking? 1-3, have lost 3 games at Subi, lost all three home 4th quarters, badly, two of them against Victorian opposition. Are we tanking?
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | Carlton 12.17 (89) def. West Coast Eagles 7.23 (65) So that ends our coverage from Patersons Stadium tonight. An important win tonight for the Blues as they open their campaign for 2013. The Eagles need to find a way to find their spark! I'll be back tomorrow for a top game between North Melbourne and the Brisbane Lions from Etihad Stadium - Sunday twilight coverage coming up tomorrow. Twitter - @TheSportsFreak
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | Carlton 12.17 (89) def. West Coast Eagles 7.23 (65) Quarter by Quarter West Coast Eagles 2.8 3.14 7.18 7.23 (65) Carlton 2.5 7.10 10.15 12.17 (89) Goalscorers WCE (6) – Mark LeCras 2, Ashton Hams 1, Luke Shuey 1, Jack Darling 1, Andrew Gaff 1, Daniel Kerr 1 CARL (9) – Chris Yarran 4, Jeff Garlett 1, Sam Rowe 1, Dennis Armfield 1, Kane Lucas 1, Brock McLean 1, Mitch Robinson 1, Andrew Walker 1, Kade Simpson 1 Team Stats Disposals: CARL 376-332; Disposal Efficiency: CARL 68%-65%; Kicking Efficiency: CARL 60%-58%; Contested Possessions: CARL 162-146; Marks: WCE 73-69; Contested Marks: CARL 14-7; Clearances: WCE 36-33; Tackles: LEVEL 62-62; Inside 50’s: WCE 51-43 Player Stats Scott Selwood (WCE) 32 disposals, 16 contested possessions, 7 clearances, 8 tackles, 4 free kicks Chris Masten (WCE) 30 disposals, 11 contested possessions, 6 marks, 3 tackles, 6 inside 50’s Brock McLean (CARL) 29 disposals, 12 contested possessions, 5 marks, 5 clearances, 4 tackles, 1 goal Marc Murphy (CARL) 28 disposals, 7 contested possessions, 6 marks, 9 tackles, 3 inside 50’s
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | Carlton 12.17 (89) def. West Coast Eagles 7.23 (65) 7.23 from the West Coast Eagles is their 4th worst scoring conversion performance in history (23.3% conversion rate).
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | Carlton 12.17 (89) def. West Coast Eagles 7.23 (65) It was a messy old contest. A grinding match of football - that's not really what we were expecting coming in. Then again, the Blues one-on-one contests were brilliant. They outmuscled the Eagles well. Chris Yarran and Jeff Garlett were exciting to say the very least in the 2nd and 3rd quarters. West Coast have a lot to think about now. They were beyond disappointing tonight. For a team that for the last two seasons have been so dominant at home - they've lost 3 from 3 at Patersons Stadium and couldn't get any clear ball out there tonight. Poor kicking, poor attack... poor everywhere. Carlton now get their first win of the season. Their tough draw early looks a little bit better - but plenty of big games still ahead in the next 3 weeks.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | Carlton 12.17 (89) def. West Coast Eagles 7.23 (65) There's the final siren! Carlton get their first win of the season - and they've done it on the road at Patersons Stadium. Mick Malthouse will have a wry smile on his dial. While West Coast have only played one decent half of football in 4 matches. Carlton win by 24 points
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 1:13 left | WCE 7.23 (65) | CARL 12.17 (89) Andrew Gaff with a quick dribble towards the goals - misses.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 1:45 left | WCE 7.22 (64) | CARL 12.17 (89) Ball in at half forward for the Blues. Aaron Joesph handballs off to Kade Simpson... who unloads from 45m out - GOAL!!! AND CARLTON ARE HOME! Crowd figure - 38,674. The bulk about to go home very dejected and pretty unimpressed with their performance
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 2:40 left | WCE 7.22 (64) | CARL 11.17 (83) Here we go - Carlton's a chance - Yarran's kick forward to a free Shaun Hampson! Takes it cleanly. The Eagles have had the bulk of play in their forward half, but the Blues defence has held strong so well tonight! Hampson now from 50m out - missed. But the margin's more than 3 goals
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 4:10 left | WCE 7.22 (64) | CARL 11.16 (82) Kade Simpson misses a mark at half back... dangerous ball forward now for the Eagles... but Henderson rushes through a behind.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 5:00 left | WCE 7.21 (63) | CARL 11.16 (82) Just one goal this quarter - that went to Carlton. This one is petering out a little. Needs a spark! Scott Selwood kicks to Ashton Hams... defended well by Lachie Henderson for CARL... out of bounds!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 6:30 left | WCE 7.21 (63) | CARL 11.16 (82) Time's running low for WCE - under 7 minutes - they need 4 goals! Luke Shuey kicks to Darren Glass at CHF. Handballs to Hurn... then to the goal square - Kennedy... grubber kick is smothered on the line by Robinson!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 8:09 left | WCE 7.20 (62) | CARL 11.16 (82) SUBSTITUTION CARL - Aaron Joseph ON, Simon White OFF Dean Cox marks, then gets a 50m penalty, to take him 75m out from goal. Long ball... but marked by Henderson
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 8:39 left | WCE 7.20 (62) | CARL 11.16 (82) Jacob Brennan marks on the wing for WCE. Long to half forward, mass pack forms, then Kade Simpson wins a free for in the back. GARLETT!! He's a chance now... in fact, Yarran's getting a free kick for a hold off the ball. He's had a big night with 4 goals... Kicking from 50m out - to the pocket, rushed through for a behind
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 10:11 left | WCE 7.20 (62) | CARL 11.15 (81) Josh Hill for WCE on the wing. Kicks towards Kennedy... but knocked away from him... AGAIN to the boundary! Hampson clears it to the wing. Hurn almost taken high... the Eagles can got forward again through Dalziell and Kerr. Kerr inside 50 to Kennedy, who got free... but he's a long way out. If he kicks on goal, he's 50m out, on the boundary. TOUCHED ON THE LINE! Gave it a fair ride!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 11:35 left | WCE 7.19 (61) | CARL 11.15 (81) Already 28 tackles this quarter... it's been a dour struggle for most of it. Carlton away now. Brock McLean holds it up along the wing. Then Murphy kicks to half forward... but the Eagles force it to the boundary. The first half had a lack of stoppages - this quarter's been all about the stoppages!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 12:30 left | WCE 7.19 (61) | CARL 11.15 (81) Sinclair was running to half forward for the Eagles, but got run down... lucky not to be done for holding the ball. The ball eventually runs to the boundary line - WCE 50m arc. Matt Priddis on the boundary, centres for Hill... .but too much on the kick and out to the boundary on the opposite pocket. Carlton's pressure holding strong.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 14:05 left | WCE 7.19 (61) | CARL 11.15 (81) The Eagles aren't going to win this if their kicking on goal remains the way it has throughout the night. It's been fairly atrocious! Long booming kick inside 50 for the Eagles - 2 Blues players cough it up. Adam Selwood tries to kick to the goal line. No one really there... Carlton clear to the boundary.