Adelaide have survived a huge scare from an extraordinarily gallant Carlton outfit, prevailing by 12 points in an arm-wrestle of a match at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.
In a low scoring first quarter, it was Adelaide who eventually begun much more strongly, and the signs became ominous for the Blues pretty quickly.
Adelaide got the first couple of inside 50s while booting the Sherrin out on the full a couple of times.
Carlton looked good, but too many mistakes too quickly meant that Adelaide eventually broke their shackles and booted the first four goals of the match.
At one stage, all of the Crows’ goals were sourced from Carlton turnovers.
Carlton, to their credit, did manage to slow down the Crows scoring, while booting a goal of their own through youngster David Cunningham.
Still, it was the visitors who held an 18-point lead come quarter time.
The second quarter was much more entertaining, and the beginning of a Carlton resurgence that saw them boot four goals to the Crows two for the term.
Their tactic of slowing the game down was clearly working, and excellent goals from Sam Kerridge (a stunning kick from the centre square) and Patrick Cripps (a very strong mark followed by a suitably impressive goal) meant that the Blues had pegged back the margin to a very manageable six points at the main break.
The third quarter was more of the same: Carlton keepin’ on goin’, but Adelaide keeping the lead.
In a quarter that saw both teams boot three goals each, it was the visitors that slowly but surely got back on top as the clock towards three-quarter time.
It was a series of poor misses from the Crows which kept the Blues right in the game, and the stage was set at the final break for one hell of a final quarter.
And what a final quarter it was! A Sam Jacob’s goal very early saw the Crows take a 17-point lead, but Carlton weren’t going to settle for a loss.
Goals to Charlie Curnow and Dale Thomas – as well as an utterly ridiculous goal to Matthew Wright – meant the Blues took the lead.
Unfortunately for the dedicated Bluebaggers at the ‘G, it wasn’t to last, and a strong performance from the Crows meant that they eventually retook the lead, and finished off the game as victors.
The Blues were extremely well served by their biggest names – Bryce Gibbs (30 touches), Sam Docherty (30), Patrick Cripps (29) and Marc Murphy (29) were all prolific, while Levi Casboult and Gibbs were their only multiple goal kickers.
Charlie Curnow played an excellent game – contributing one goal, 22 touches and 11 marks, while the much maligned Liam Jones continued his resurgence with nine marks and 19 touches in another great performance in defence.
The Crouch brothers and Brodie Smith were their team’s best performers, with the trio all getting in the realm of 30 touches.
Josh Jenkins booted three goals in a nice performance, while also laying 13 tackles, while Betts and Riley Knight contributed two goals each.
Adelaide host the Western Bulldogs in an intriguing – not to mention very important Friday night match in South Australia next week, while the Blues play Melbourne at the ‘G on Sunday afternoon.
Final score
Carlton Blues 12.5.77
Adelaide Crows 13.11.89
Macca
Guest
Fairsuckof the Sav - I was at the game and sitting about 20 rows behind the Crows Bench (right where Hartigan did his hamstring) and there were some supporters cheering his injury - but all the blues supporters around me were disgusted by the behaviour. Every team has supporters they aren't proud of.
The Original Buzz
Guest
I am going to wear my lucky Carlton socks and pray to every god I know (and some I don't) that the Blues beat the Doggies. The Crows should beat the Doggies, then it will be our turn because we were 'born to rule'.
Fairsuckofthesav
Guest
They also jeered when Hartigan came off wirh a bad hamstring. What a bunch of morons .
Macca
Guest
Or make the slightest contribution to Cameron Rose article on the Dogs today. If the blues do beat the dogs in a couple of weeks he would lose his tiny mind if it hadn't already checked out quite some time ago.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
And can't even manage three lines about the Premiership favourites on the article about their loss to the Eagles. Looks like he is staying quiet just in case the Blues beat the Premiership favourites in a couple of weeks.
Macca
Guest
Yep really sad and tragic that that is the best Mattyb can come up with after 52 hours of thinking time. If the blues can get the win against the injury hit Dee's this week it could make for a intriguing game the following week against the Doggies with a Blues win getting them level on points (assuming the Crows beat the Dogs this week)
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Buzz, we must be going better than expected if this sad and tragic Bulldogs supporter can only come up with a one and a half line put down of Carlton.
The Original Buzz
Guest
Looks like the Bulldogs are returning to their normal place on the ladder after a brief stint in the eight. It is sad and tragic really.
mattyb
Guest
Carlton lost,there 16th on the ladder. This born to rule mentally is in full swing and the club hasn't done a thing yet.
Macca
Guest
And that year they still played Freo in Perth if memory serves/
Basil
Guest
It just highlights the ridiculousness of the AFL draw.
true blue
Guest
Carlton have only played Fremantle in Melbourne ounce in the last seven years
Macca
Guest
You might want to check that Sammy, this years game against port was the first in Adelaide for some time
GJ
Guest
Apparently that has already been organised to keep the booing of disgruntled Carlton fans to a minimum ..
The Original Buzz
Guest
There is starting to be a bit of noise about that in Adelaide and I think the Crows will play the Blues in Adelaide next year. If the AFL is listening of course.
Basil
Guest
Not blaming Carlton. Just stating a pretty extraordinary fact.
sammy
Guest
They get one, but it is always against Port
Macca
Guest
Basil- the blues request a game in Adelaide every year so it's no time their fault they don't get to play there.
Basil
Guest
Round 4 2010. That was the last time Carlton played Adelaide in Adelaide. That makes 7 home games in a row for Carlton against Crows. That's gotta be some kind of record.
Macca
Guest
Crow or - the blues took 12 marks inside 50 yesterday, the same as the Crows. As others have said the blues are still a work in progress but when a forward in his second year takes 11 marks and has 22 possessions it is a good sign that when he, Silvagni, McKay and Kerr develop the will have the weapons to be more attacking