A great contest launches Round 12 of the AFL season as Carlton and Hawthorn do battle from Etihad Stadium. Live scores and commentary coming up from 7.50pm AEST.
This is a massive game for both teams for differing reasons.
For Carlton a loss tonight could see them out of the top eight by the end of the round, but a win would see them stay in touch with a vital top-four spot.
At Hawthorn, a win keeps them near the top, but a loss could send them back in that mix of teams fighting for a top-four spot.
Undoubtedly the history suggests Hawthorn of late should win this and comfortably – the Hawks winning the last nine games against Carlton with an average margin of 41 points.
And it’s been part of a solid period for the Hawks in their history, while Carlton have bottomed out and seen many changes to their group on and off the field.
Tonight’s the chance for Carlton to show their true colours, in the same way they did last week against Essendon.
The Blues should not have let that game slip against the Bombers, but it may prove that they’re not quite mentally ready for that next step, despite some big name players like Judd, Murphy, Simpson and Scotland.
Jarrad Waite’s seven goal haul wasn’t enough for the Blues to get over the line. While it’s great to have a dominant forward, they still need a share of goal kickers, so they’ll need their midfield army and the small forwards to lift their rate.
The long-awaited return of Andrew Carrazzo from a calf injury could happen tonight, while a bit more height is expected with Robert Warnock’s knee injury given the all clear.
The Hawks have been the most consistent team of the season.
Take away the narrow loss to their old foes Geelong, and Hawthorn is undefeated with a monstrous percentage.
If there’s a slight concern coming into this game, is possibly the week off – will the Hawks keep the same intensity that’s seen them get to the top off the bye?
Also, the Hawks last three weeks have been on the easy-side. Including the bye, there’s been a game against an improving yet still youthful Gold Coast Suns and the bottom of the table GWS Giants.
Tonight could see the return of Brendan Whitecross from a knee reconstruction, while the height of both Max Bailey and Jack Gunston will come under consideration as well.
Expect some flow to the game, but there should be plenty of contested ball throughout the night. If the Blues get on top in that battle, they may just give the Hawks a few headaches tonight.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Last word on the night... It's for Marc Murphy's injury. The medicos say it's a broken cheekbone for Murph. He'll miss a minimum of 4 weeks.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | Hawthorn 15.12 (102) def. Carlton 13.9 (87) Quarter by Quarter Carlton 4.2 8.5 11.6 13.9 (87) Hawthorn 4.4 6.6 11.8 15.12 (102) Goalscorers CARL (10) – Eddie Betts 3, Jarrad Waite 2, Levi Casboult 1, Mitch Robinson 1, Zach Tuohy 1, Bryce Gibbs 1, Matthew Kreuzer 1, Chris Judd 1, Sam Rowe 1, Dennis Armfield 1 HAW (7) – Jarryd Roughead 4, Lance Franklin 4, Jack Gunston 3, David Hale 1, Sam Mitchell 1, Luke Hodge 1, Bradley Hill 1 Team Stats Disposals: CARL 333-315; Disposal Efficiency: HAW 75%-73%; Kicking Efficiency: HAW 68%-65%; Contested Possessions: HAW 151-135; Uncontested Possessions: CARL 199-176; Marks: CARL 81-62; Clearances: CARL 52-30; Tackles: CARL 68-54; Inside 50’s: HAW 53-50; Hitouts: HAW 51-44; Clangers: CARL 44-37 Player Stats Brock McLean (CARL) 33 disposals, 15 contested possessions, 7 marks, 9 clearances, 3 tackles, 1 goal assist Chris Judd (CARL) 29 disposals, 16 contested possessions, 9 clearances, 5 tackles, 6 inside 50’s, 1 goal Bryce Gibbs (CARL) 28 disposals, 10 contested possessions, 5 marks, 5 clearances, 8 tackles, 6 inside 50’s, 1 goal Heath Scotland (CARL) 24 disposals, 8 contested possessions, 3 clearances, 4 tackles Sam Mitchell (HAW) 24 disposals, 9 contested possessions, 4 marks, 6 clearances, 3 tackles, 4 one-percenters, 5 inside 50’s, 1 goal, 1 goal assist
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | Hawthorn 15.12 (102) def. Carlton 13.9 (87) It seemed like there were a few touchy free kicks in the final quarter that went the way of the Hawks. Having said that, they did get a fair bit of momentum from the third quarter. They were on the charge... and managed to run over the top of the Blues. Stats to come from the night...
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | Hawthorn 15.12 (102) def. Carlton 13.9 (87) If you look at Carlton's losses this season... 5pts, 17pts, 16pts, 9pts, 5pts, 15pts... They've been so close so often this season. They're almost there... they just need to be able to finish it off, especially against the top quality opponents.
micka
Guest
Im actually proud of how the blues played tonight. Some awful umpiring. Hopefully Murphs not out for too long.
Jack
Guest
Betts will be dropped NGOs Sydney I called Yarran
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | Hawthorn 15.12 (102) def. Carlton 13.9 (87) There's the final siren. It's another brave effort from the Blues tonight... but it's not going to get the win! Hawthorn are now 11-1 after Round 13 - 10 wins in a row! The Hawks win by 15 points
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 0:20 left | CARL 13.9 (87) | HAW 15.12 (102) Judd back inside 50 from the ball in... defended by the Hawks... then Breust gets away! Shiels to Roughead and then wants BRAD HILL!! Great mark to finish the game! Backing back to get that one. Kicks from 35m out - GOAL! Hawks will get up now!
Jack
Guest
All the 50 50 s ump s are weak
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 1:20 left | CARL 13.9 (87) | HAW 14.12 (96) Bootsma steals the footy at the wing... kicks it long inside 50... but Garlett's given away a free kick against Guerra. Judd forces the ball out of bounds from the resultant kick at the half forward line
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 2:09 left | CARL 13.9 (87) | HAW 14.12 (96) Jarrad Waite with a dangerous kick to the wing... but Armfield wins it. Kicks to the pocket... Garlett couldn't mark, BETTS... missed it!!!
Jack
Guest
All the 50 50 free s went to hawks and that's the match terrible
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 2:40 left | CARL 13.8 (86) | HAW 14.12 (96) Attendance tonight - 45,670 Centre clearance for the Hawks - Hodge, with a smothered kick... then Sam Mitchell > Franklin!! Silky! Buddy from 50m to kill the game... POSTER!!!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 3:25 left | CARL 13.8 (86) | HAW 14.11 (95) Jarrad Waite with a dummy at half forward... gave it Scotland... BUT THEN STUMBLED OVER! Gibbs tries to get it forward... stopped by the Hawks defence. Tuohy helps out at half forward. Goes to Jaryd Cachia... then spears it inside 50 to Eddie Betts. Kicks from 45m out - GOAL!!! Still some time!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 4:36 left | CARL 12.8 (80) | HAW 14.11 (95) Sam Mitchell with a long kick to half forward from the wing... Puopolo ducked into a tackle.. then a free kick for holding the ball. Tuohy comes away from the pack. Kicks to half forward to Garlett, can't mark, but then goes to the pocket. Gibson back there to stop it for the Hawks. Cleared by Birchall.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 6:27 left | CARL 12.8 (80) | HAW 14.11 (95) A free kick to Dennis Armfield at the wing could start something here... great chase... but could have almost have been a trip. Andrew Walker from the pocket centres it to Ed Curnow. Kicks from 45m out - MISSED! Ooooh, that's a killer.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 7:36 left | CARL 12.7 (79) | HAW 14.11 (95) Brad Hill with a clever little turnaround at half forward to spot up Sam Mitchell about 45m out! This could just about seal it up. Mitchell... SPRAYS IT! Behind only
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 8:40 left | CARL 12.7 (79) | HAW 14.10 (94) Brian Lake won a free kick at half back for a push in the back... just in the nick of time too.. because Sam Mitchell threw the footy 5 nanoseconds later. Long kick to half forward... out the back Gunston... kicks to the one on one of Franklin vs. Jamison... FRANKLIN WINS... Didn't mark it, but it ran past both of them and Franklin ran on to kick the GOAL!!!!
Jack
Guest
This umps have killed the blues discraceful
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Last 9 free kicks now... there has been some questionable ones, I won't doubt that.