The West Coast Eagles have beaten the Carlton Blues at the MCG in a gripping contest that never became a pure and open game of football yet certainly showed the tough and resilient qualities of each team.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Carlton 10.9 (69)
West Coast Eagles 10.19 (79)
Carlton and West Coast clash at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in an important game for both clubs. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4:35pm (AEST).
Besieged by injuries, Carlton appear likely to be anchored to the bottom of the ladder for much of the season, as their fans patience continues to be tested.
After overseeing the Blues through a period where scoring proved difficult, Brendon Bolton could always rely on something of a defensive mindset that saw his team stay in the contest most weeks.
A more expansive game plan has now been adopted and it has been an abject failure to this point. With little experience to call upon and a mounting injury toll, the young Blues just cannot compete with the powerful running clubs at the top of the ladder and a return to a stifling game could be on the cards in the near future.
Today they face one of those heavy hitters in the Eagles who sit three and one. Only the loss to Sydney in round one blots their copybook and the tough win in round three against the Cats showed us some of their character.
West Coast will look for another percentage boost today and a continuation of their top of the ladder form.
Prediction
Depending on Carlton’s approach, this could go either way. A return to a defensive mantra might block things up in the West Coast forward line yet I think Bolton will continue with his mission, knowing that the long term development of these players is his primary focus.
Sadly, for Carlton, that should mean another heavy loss.
Carlton 48, West Coast Eagles 106
Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4:35pm (AEST).
Macca
Guest
I said no comment on the bulldogs thread, why wouldn't you post on that?
User
Roar Rookie
Won't happen ;) We're just flying the flag and I thought dalgetty delivery of reality just needed a counter balance ad. Derby week should see us all a bit feral as getting the choccies at new stadium will be a talking point with both teams this week regardless of the usual its just another game script we'll hear.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Yikes. So, if we happen to defeat you guys next weekend, will you give us an ounce of credit?
User
Roar Rookie
As you should be aware away wins will dictate whether finals happen or not, also good teams win ugly even when they're flat which is what we saw with wce yesterday. Wins at home against ESS, GC & wb are just flat track bullies at there best dalgetty.
mattyb
Guest
Why would I comment on Footscray on a Carlton vs West Coast thread lol.
Macca
Guest
Nothing wrong with my memory, you claimed McKay was miles off AFL, you said Dow was being shown up at the level, you claimed Lamb & Kerridge were simultaneously "rejects" who were bad pick ups and necessities to protect the kids, you claimed Bolton doesn't have a game plan and apparently you tipped the blues to win - how many times can you be proven wrong in just one game! Still no comment on your team?
Mattyb
Guest
Lol,just look at the weekly tipping article on this very website. You even tried to argue after I tipped the bluebaggers. You don't even attend games and your memory is hilarious.
Macca
Guest
Please post where you tipped the blues. You did say McKay wasn't up to AFL level & Dow had been shown up at the level but where exactly did you tip the blues? Not sure how answering a simple yes or no question constitutes arguing. Still nothing about your teams loss?
Mattyb
Guest
Lol Macca,your not football. I explained why I tipped the blues I just didn't argue with you like you wanted. Let me guess,you didn't go to the game?
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Hahaha, you've scrapped wins against the two worst form teams in the comp at that time. Freo played two top four contenders. A win's a win, but I wouldn't be bragging about the WC's wins on the road just yet.
Macca
Guest
Interesting that you found time to comment on this thread but not the Bulldogs eagles thread?
Macca
Guest
You gave the blues a chance? You were asked repeatedly if you thought the blues would win and you refused to answer. All you said was the needed to respond and no excuses were to be accepted - that isn't the same as giving them a chance. As for the big difference in the experience of the side, nick Graham (39 games and 23 years old) was replaced by Kerridge (60 games and 24 years old) Weitering ( 46 & 20) was replaced by Rowe (83 & 30) Kreuzer (164 & 28) was replaced by Phillips (32 & 26) Kennedy 21 & 22 was replaced by Lamb (52 & 25) and Cuningham (14 & 21) was replaced by McKay (3 and 20) not really seeing a significant shift - especially not enough to impact the likes of Dow, O'Brien or McKay.e On the crowd 27k in the 4.30 time slot is clearly much worse than the 22k your mob pulled against the eagles a couple of weeks ago.
Mattyb
Guest
Matto,the Cripps return home will really enforce the Mainwaring legacy and will be a special moment for the national game. It will certainly enhance the Eagles standing in the game. I'm not a big Eagles person but I acknowledge the clubs achievements,regrettably it's a bit hard not to..
Wheely Bin Dan
Guest
An ugly game with mist and seagulls, crazt umpire calls and then there's Eddy McVictoria!! Eagles break their MCG curse and get 4 points. They looked flat. Missed Jettas drive out of back. Credit to the Bolton Blues, out-played and out-coached it seemed. Some people just won't move on re: flat track bully nonsense..
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
Like Rioli a lot. Cole's best game
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
Sorry,on Dow
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
We'll see how Freo go at Etihad in Rd 12
mattyb
Guest
Being one of the few that gave the blues a chance this week I feel both vindicated it wasn't the blowout most expected as well as disappointed it was a game the blues could have won. The best thing though is that for the first time under Bolton there were finally some small positives that the blues can take forward. The balance of the side experience wise was much better,and this benefited the younger players like I suggested it would,now they need to just balance the height issue. The players responded to Boltons call that this is not what the clubs about. That was a big positive,excuses have no place in professional sport and the blues brought the right endeavour to the table today. Endeavour and effort is everything in the modern game,so hopefully the players learnt something there. The only real negative had nothing to do with the players or staff this week. 27k?Seriously? Some blues fans should be hanging their heads in shame this week,get along and support the club,it's not that hard.
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
And 12 points or misses from set shots.Not great.Rioli should have spotted up LeCras a couple of times,but give him points for his hip and shoulder on Cripps.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Go on, call me a retard just to top the night off. Mate are your seriously going to defend the use of that language. It is inappropriate in any walk of life, institution or business and needs to be eradicated. It is what the games were all about; inclusion and acceptance, and not something we should have on the roar considering the lack of knowledge people have of the others commenting. I'm sure you are a good person, but supporting that sort of language is indefensible. Peace, have a good night.