A career-best seven goals from Tom J Lynch has seen the Gold Coast Suns take their second win of the year, over the Carlton Blues.
Final score
Carlton Blues 82
Gold Coast Suns 108
No one could have seen this coming. The Carlton Blues and Gold Coast Suns square off with the victor taking a two and two record into the Anzac weekend. Join The Roar for live scores and analysis from 7.25pm (AEST).
Carlton were the popular pre-season tip for the wooden spoon and after being pummelled in Round 2 by GWS, it appeared Gold Coast were heading down a similarly miserable path.
In a staggering upset, the Suns came out firing against a hapless Hawthorn Hawks, taking an 86-point thrashing that ensured everyone’s Round 3 tips went down the toilet.
Gary Ablett’s return to form after a quiet outing against the Giants was the biggest point as he racked up 36 possessions and two goals.
But it wasn’t just the Ablett show for the Suns like it has been previously – David Swallow showed what he can bring to the table when fully fit with 34 silky touches, while Jack Martin and Brandon Matera were more than a handful up forward with three and six goals apiece.
Like their opponents, Carlton enjoyed their own upset victory last week, recording a memorable 15-point victory over a highly-fancied Essendon outfit in torrential conditions at the MCG.
While their obvious skill deficiency brought them unstuck in the early rounds, the weekend’s downpour made the game a war of attrition, and the Blues’ ferocity and hardness at the ball told the story.
Marc Murphy and Bryce Gibbs were sublime with 67 disposals between them, with Murphy providing a rare highlight with a miraculous banana goal from the boundary line.
Under the roof at Etihad Stadium, they’ll have to play in different conditions, but the form of their engine room, with Matthew Kreuzer excelling in the ruck and Patrick Cripps continuing his rise into the game’s elite alongside Murphy and Gibbs, means they can’t be underestimated.
Youngster Zac Fisher will make his AFL debut, and while he only stands at 175cm, last year’s pick 27 in the national draft is renowned for his ball-winning ability and clean hands.
Prediction
This game should be a cracker, in excitement if not quality with both sides appearing evenly matched. However, Gold Coast’s run against the Hawks last week was eye-catching and against a side not known for their leg speed in the Blues, the likes of Adam Saad, Jarrod Harbrow and Aaron Hall might be able to break the game open.
Suns by 9.
Can the Suns make it two in a row and win their first match in Melbourne since Round nine 2014? (That’s 1055 days if you were wondering.) Or will Murphy, Gibbs and co. lead the Blues to two and 2?
Tune into The Roar for live coverage from 7.25pm (AEST) and find out. Also, be sure to leave your thoughts in the section below.
Steve009
Roar Rookie
Macca it's the moments like this when you choose to defend March banks kicking which has been poor rather than accepting it for what it it is that stripz you of credibility on your otherwise often sound observations on Carlton's developmen. and we are playing at least one too many talls (with good reason to I might add) and I'd rather discuss why than pretend where not because we want to pretend the blues do no wrong.
Macca
Guest
Mattyb - if you really think that stop posting bs about the blues and everyone will be happy.
Paul D
Roar Guru
You're welcome to reply to my comment if you're actually interested in discussing Carlton
Zed16
Guest
To Blues fans Matty B is irrelevant. I watched the game last night and there is a lot to like about this group and the young guys are showing good signs. In all matches we have been able to compete and challenge for a good proportion of the games and that's what counts at this point of this sides evolution. There are also good signs in the seconds especially out of some of the mids and forwards accumulating positive numbers. This is also a healthy sign with competition coming from within the club. Its not going to be an easy year but i for one am enjoying the effort and the good football being displayed particularly by all the teens.
mattyb
Guest
That's correct AD. It's not about right or wrong anymore. Everyone has the right to post whatever they like,that's very important I believe but I think it's in everyone's best interest if sometimes some individuals make the respectful decision to just leave each other's comments alone. Nothing further needs to be added.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
I presume that's the quote you've been talking about, matty?
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Not sure why the New Idea is relevant here, but I did the copying and pasting for you: "Macca,I’ve asked you not to quote me numerous times but you keep doing it. Numerous posters think it would also be best if we don’t reply to each other at all,and I agree. You’ve been pumping up the blues for years now and abusing anyone who doesn’t think they’re the best. I’m not interested in what you say and numerous posters have no interest in listening to us disagree. It’s time to forget about having the last word and showing some respect. Thank you and good day." That's from the 5th of April at around 6:30pm.
Macca
Guest
Mattyb - how is the 190cm White a tall?
Macca
Guest
You are correct, you are being selfish, stopping is in your complete control
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
PaulD, I agree with you re Thomas. He turns the football over too often and doesn't have the impact he had 6 years ago. I think Bolton has given him the opportunity to see whether he can be a contributor going forward but its time to replace him with another youngster. It really hurts to see Eddie Betts doing what he does for Adelaide especially when he could so easily still be wearing a Carlton jumper. We know who to thank for that. I don't think you can hang Marchbank out to dry. The kid has only played 11 games and despite a couple of mistakes last night he has been solid. Young players will make mistakes and getting more games into them will help reduce those mistakes. As we continue to say Carlton are a bottom 4 side but in 2 years time these kids will be up around the 50 game mark and we will start to see their true worth.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
When you mention fans in your comments then you are engaging with us so as fans we have the right to dispute any comments we disagree with, and with you there are plenty. You don't even dispute us when we call out your comments that have no basis of fact. By the way I am still waiting for you to back up your recent claims that I have regularly abused Tom Boyd and Caleb Daniel and also the comment the other day accusing the Carlton Football Club of somehow doing something to the Preston City Oval that is a complete disgrace which is pretty hard for them to do since the ground is owned by the Darebin City Council and Carlton are not even a lessee. Please feel free to enlighten us on just what disgraceful things that Carlton have done to the oval.
mattyb
Guest
AD,no I can't. :) This isn't the New Idea. Basically I am stating I have no interest in arguing with Macca back and forth for another season,and people don't want to read it. Any continual engagement I believe is pure selfishness.
Macca
Guest
AD - I wouldn't bother, this is only his strategy to be able to post BS about the blues and not get called out for it. What would be more interesting is watching him defend his attacks on SOS when with every debut he looks better and better
mattyb
Guest
Steve,I'm trying to look beyond last nights game. I can't see Casboult having a future so I see no need to pick him,similar to your thoughts on Thomas I suppose. I also think Carlton are far to tall,I also only said two of White,Rowe and Casboult need to go and nominated Rowe to stay. I'd have no issue with swapping this around. I'd rather see a couple of the older talls go rather than the younger ones,but some of the talls desperately need to be swapped out. I've watched Marchbank for a couple of games this season and have some very serious concerns. I'd certainly be keeping him in the side at this point though as I said. Last night was a game the blues should have won,patience doesn't mean making excuses in my book.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
If you could copy 'n paste whatever you said on the 5th of April, that would be great :)
Macca
Guest
I'd agree with that Steve but McKay will come in at some point is year
Macca
Guest
Mattyb - I have told you numerous times, if you don't want to engage with me don't post your ubbish on Carlton threads, otherwise I will continue to point out why you are wrong.
mattyb
Guest
Macca,you seriously need to just get over yourself and your final word obsession. As I stated on the 5/4/17,people don't want to hear us argue back and forth,I find it extremely disappointing you fail to respect or acknowledge this. You can discuss Carlton without engaging or mentioning me. This s has absolutely nothing to do with either of our opinions anymore. I do not subscribe to your gatekeeper type position,I'm sorry. Others don't seem to mind so just engage in conversation with them.
steve
Guest
Casboult, after his best game in recent memory needs to go? I realise everything you write has an anti Carlton bias, but that just ridiculous after last nights game. Marchbank, who has been excellent in his first three games for us but was a little down last night and he has to go too? Cmon mate, at least try and be balanced and fair in your assessment.
steve
Guest
McKay is nowhere near ready Macca, If we are bringing in a KPF anytime soon, its Jaksch, who appears to be much improved this year so far. Harry just isn't ready yet. Polson has to be next in line. Thomas is done. We cant continue to carry him, there is no future benefit in doing so.