Carlton’s heaviest defeat of the AFL season could spell the beginning of the end for under-pressure coach Brendon Bolton.
The bottom-placed Blues were smashed by GWS on Sunday afternoon, losing 20.18 (138) to 7.3 (45) at Giants Stadium.
No one was expecting Carlton to beat the Giants on their home turf but the size of the margin will have alarm bells ringing at Ikon Park.
Club powerbrokers have publicly pledged support for fourth-year coach Bolton but Carlton have now won just four of their past 41 games and it is difficult to see any coach surviving a wooden-spoon finish two years in a row.
Bolton’s cause wasn’t helped by midfielder Marc Murphy’s hospitalisation after copping a knee to the ribs from Giants ruckman Shane Mumford.
But the Blues had already given up a 39-point lead when Murphy went down late in the first quarter.
“I understand the business, I’ve been it in a while,” a shattered Bolton said.
“Today, our group didn’t deliver. You’ve seen the worst side of Carlton.
“I can’t let the outside infiltrate. We know we’ll get some criticism for this game, deservedly so, but that can’t blur what we’re doing and how we go about it.”
The win lifted GWS to third on the ladder, also providing a handy percentage boost.
The true test for the Giants is likely to come next Sunday when they face lowly Melbourne at the MCG – a venue where GWS have won just two out of 16 games.
Geelong remain a game clear on top of the ladder after overpowering the Western Bulldogs by 44 points at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday.
The clinical Cats are purring along with eight wins and one loss, although a badly-sprained ankle threatens to sideline Patrick Dangerfield next week.
Second-placed Collingwood likewise continued their strong form, thumping St Kilda by 51 points to post their sixth-straight victory.
With the season drawing closer to its halfway point, the pecking order is slowly becoming established after an unpredictable start to the season.
St Kilda and Gold Coast both strung together surprise wins in the first few rounds but the Saints have now lost four consecutive games and the Suns five straight after losing to Port Adelaide by 38 points on a rain-soaked Adelaide Oval.
Fremantle have also slipped back into the pack, suffering their third straight defeat after Essendon prevailed 8.12 (60) to 7.11 (53) in a dour Marvel Stadium contest.
But Brisbane continue to stamp themselves as contenders, having secured a top-four berth with their one-point win over Adelaide in a thriller at the Gabba.
Richmond’s convincing six-goal win over an injury-hit Hawthorn at the MCG left them even on points with GWS, Brisbane and West Coast.
The Eagles continued to do things the hard way on Friday night at Optus Stadium, clawing their way back to defeat Melbourne by 16 points.
It was another unconvincing win for West Coast but at six wins and three losses, the reigning premiers are well-placed to attack the second half of the season.
And in a bottom-four clash in Hobart, it was Sydney who stood tall to defeat North Melbourne by five points despite losing Josh Kennedy and several others to injury.
Macca
Roar Rookie
They had some pretty handy ins from the Hawks game as well
Macca
Roar Rookie
No, just this time. Good to see you have finally got past it though, if only just.
Macca
Roar Rookie
And a number of very close losses.
Goalsonly
Roar Rookie
Whatever you do Carlton, don't do it because of the noise from the media pack. They have many voices but only one head ( with exceptions of course). And I speak as one who loves them but I don't like it when they get blood in their nostrils. The real stat is did you turn up and put on a good show for the fans. Just keep doing that and you are winning and you will win. Giants were desperate after losing to Hawthorn. You weren't ready for that. I've heard raves about how awesome the Giants were. Lets not forget their pedigree and their standing in the game and the big job they have promoting the game in Western Sydney. I only hope that by protecting Mumford from true thug scrutiny they aren't weakening the culture of the Giants.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
You've been saying that for 9 weeks and there's been 1......
M B
Guest
Cut and paste much?
Macca
Roar Rookie
I could see multiple wins coming in the next 6 weeks.
Macca
Roar Rookie
If I get time I am going to fashion these points into an article but those calling for Bolton’s head really need to get out of the shallow end and look a bit deeper. 1) Last year we averaged 61.5 points for and 103.72 points against, even with two big losses we are still averaging 72.22 and 94.55 this year, over 3 goals a game improvement. 2) to the end of round 6 we hadn’t conceded 100 points, we lost Simpson and Newman in round 6, Jones in Round 7 and Plowman and Williamson in round 8 (although got Newman back for round 9) and conceded 100 points in each game – coincidence or perhaps injuries are playing a part? 3) On injuries as of last week the blues had 8 players on their injury list plus Cuningham didn’t come up, which makes at least 5 (I would say 6) of their best 22 were unavailable, by comparison the lions had 3 – I would suggest 0 from their best 22. 4) People claim Brisbane are showing us up, yet I have always maintained we are simply a year behind the Lions, last year after round 9 they were 1-8 with a percentage of 82.4%, we are 1-8 with a percentage of 76.4%. 5) Our team is very young – on the weekend we played 11 players in the 18-21 year bracket and 12 with less than 50 games experience, the Lions by comparison had 7 & 9. 6) Our youngsters are being asked to play key roles – our starting 6 midfielders were 21, 24, 29, 30, 18 & 19, by comparison the Lions were 21, 25, 21, 32, 30 & 26. None of this is defending the performance from the weekend or suggesting we don’t need to improve – simply stating that things aren’t as dire as the are made out to be and their are logical and credible reasons for the inconsistencies in perfomance
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Yes I heard Whateley. He was particularly scathing of the president who he believes is not leading the club and being accountable in a public forum.
true blue
Guest
We should never have gotten rid of him. If we could secure him for next year that would be excellent. The only thing saving us from relocation or merging is our history. But history means squat when it comes to game day. 16 premierships, 15 of which are VFL, do not guarantee us victories.
Milo
Roar Rookie
Hey Blue Baggers.... What are the chances of the return of the Ratt ? Surely he's one of the best assistants going around at the minute and his blood is navy blue. Ok, he's done it before, but has more experience now. It could be a real fillup for the club in 2020. You could do a lot worse and even potentially keep Bolts on at the same time (if he wants to). But either way, regardless surely Bolton will coach out the season now?
Powa
Roar Rookie
I'm not sure that Clarko could walk into Carlton and turn them around, this has a lot to do with poor recruiting and an even poorer reputation
Parkside Darren
Roar Rookie
In fact I’m calling it undefeated until the bye
The Original Buzz
Roar Rookie
Yeah, he is gone for sure then.
The Original Buzz
Roar Rookie
No, they won't.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
It was hardly resourceful, just a Big Footy forum. Likely rubbish! Was interesting hearing Gerard Whately today. Pretty measured normally, he was pretty hard on the leaders of the Club
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Where are you seeing that?
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
I hear that Bolton has the "full support of the Board"!
DingoGray
Roar Guru
I'm seeing reports of an emergency meeting at Carlton..... Any truth?
Parkside Darren
Roar Rookie
Blues will win this week