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The horror season for Carlton has continued with the Blues losing to Adelaide by 9 points at the MCG and losing Chris Judd for the rest of the year with a torn ACL.
ADELAIDE 14 15 99
CARLTON 14 6 90
When this match is discussed in the future it will focus on it being the last game for Chris Judd.
His 279 game career came to an end in the worst possible way in the 1st quarter when he took a mark and landed awkwardly on his left knee.
LIVE STREAM AFL – How to watch the 2015 AFL season online
He knew immediately he had done something wrong, and he tried to get off the ground with trainers around him.
Judd couldn’t and needed a stretcher to get off the ground. It was then that he realised it was serious and he felt it as he waved to a standing ovation from the fans of both the Crows and the Blues.
Later in the day, after the match, it was confirmed that he tore his ACL and he is out for 12 months.
With Judd only just agreeing to a year extension, after thinking about retiring last year, this will almost certainly be his last game in the AFL.
If it is, it is a sad way of ending what has been a brilliant career.
279 games, 2 Brownlow Medals, 5 Best and Fairest medals for both clubs, 1 Norm Smith Medal, 1 Premiership, 7 years as captain for both Carlton and West Coast.
He will go down as one of the greats.
Unfortunately, for both teams, the injury took away what was a great game of football.
While it wasn’t the prettiest match you will ever see, it was a game full of grit and attack.
Carlton started well, kicking the first three goals, before Adelaide hit back with the next five goals.
They would add another goal before quarter time to lead by 14 at the first change.
Both teams would go goal for goal in the 2nd term with Adelaide extending the margin to 17 by half time.
They would be wasteful on goal with the Crows kicking six behinds in the 2nd quarter.
This continued in the third term with the Blues coming back into the contest.
They lifted, and kicked 5 goals to 2, to move within 4 points of the Crows in the final quarter.
The Crows, who kicked 2.4, continued to miss their chances as the Blues took their opportunities.
Carlton then took the lead in the final quarter with a goal to Levi Casboult.
Adelaide responded, and got a free kick to Tom Lynch for a high tackle.
When he kicked the goal, and Eddie Betts kicked his first, Adelaide led by 8.
Carlton would respond immediately with a goal before Jenkins kicked his 4th goal from a contentious spoil from Adelaide inside its 50.
When Carlton responded again, through Nick Graham, the margin was just 3 points.
Adelaide though would hold off the Blues, and seal the game, with a goal in the final 2 and a half.
Jenkins, who kicked 5 for the match, sealed a big win for the Crows.
It was a devastating end to the match for Carlton, who lost the game, and a good player to injury.
They now have a bye to refresh and build on what John Barker has done over the last two weeks.
Adelaide also have a bye and now move to 6-4 with the win.
Unfortunately though the win won’t be remembered because of what happened in the first quarter to Chris Judd.
If that was his last game then thank you for providing footy fans with plenty of memories.
For the first and only time this season (unless they make the finals) the Adelaide Crows play at the MCG, when they take on the Carlton Blues. Join The Roar for all the action from 1:40pm (AEST).
The Crows have been woeful in Melbourne the last few years. Since 2009, when they lost to Collingwod in the semi-final at the ‘G, they have played 12 matches for 10 losses.
Against Carlton in Melbourne, Adelaide have lost three of their last four matches, including the last two.
If Carlton were in better form they would be favoured to beat the Crows today. Unfortunately though, as illustrated by their 1-8 start to the season, Carlton have struggled. Their only victory came in New Zealand, against St Kilda in Round 4.
Adelaide, on the other hand, have started life well under Phil Walsh. They are currently in the top eight and only inaccurate goal kicking, and a superb match from Nat Fyfe stopped them from beating the undefeated Fremantle Dockers last week.
They have now lost two in a row, after also losing to Greater Western Sydney in Round 8, and will be looking to put a halt to the slide.
The Crows are boosted by some big names returning. Rory Sloane (broken jaw), Brodie Smith (concussion), and Kyle Hartigan are all in to take on the Blues. Hartigan replaces Jake Lever who has an ankle injury, while Jarryd Lyons and Brodie Martin have been omitted.
In further good news for Adelaide, both Brad Crouch and Richard Douglas will play in the reserves and push for selection next week.
Carlton also welcome back some key players with Chris Judd, Marc Murphy and Matthew Kreuzer, with Dale Thomas, Chris Yarran, and Liam Jones out.
Kreuzer’s has missed the last 30 matches the Blues have played, being his first match since the Round 1 of the 2014 season.
While Murphy is selected there is some doubt about him playing.
The key to this match is in the centre of the ground. Both teams are among the best for centre clearances and will be aiming to dominate in that area.
For the Blues, Lachie Henderson, Levi Casboult, Troy Menzel, and Tom Bell, will need to kick 12 goals between them to win, as they are 17th in points scored with the Crows in fifth.
Prediction
Adelaide have struggled in Melbourne and I can see it happening again. Carlton may be in bad form but they can snatch a win if they keep it close for the first three-quarters.
The start is vital, and if Adelaide get a good one, then it could be a big blowout.
Adelaide should win, but this could be an upset.
Adelaide by 18.
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