The Carlton AFL revival has continued with a seven-point win over Sydney at a windswept SCG on Saturday.
The Blues had a 19-point final quarter lead slashed to seven, but held on to record a 9.15 (69) to 8.14 (62) win, their third in five games under caretaker coach David Teague.
It was Carlton’s first win at the ground since 2011, following six consecutive losses and just their second victory over the Swans from the last 12 contests.
Carlton played one man down in the second half after former Saint Hugh Goddard had his Blues senior debut cut short by an accidental elbow to his cheekbone from Nick Blakey.
Former Swan Nic Newman showed plenty of poise and distributed well in difficult conditions, tallying a match-high 32 possessions.
Marc Murphy, Ed Curnow and Patrick Cripps all found plenty of ball, with the Blues accumulating 13 more clearances and 19 more contested possessions.
Carlton had good marking targets up forward in Levi Casboult and Harry McKay, while Sydney struggled and the loss surely ends any faint hopes of a spot in the finals series.
The Blues scored the first eight points of the game and trailed just once in the first quarter by a point before going in level at the first break.
They then kicked the first three goals of the second quarter to lead by 17 and had a ten-point advantage at halftime.
A strong swirling breeze with winds gusting up to 40km/h made kicking accurately difficult, with Sydney scoring 3.10 by the main break and Carlton 5.8.
The Blues notched eight successive behinds either side of halftime, with three straight Sydney goals, cutting the gap to a single point.
Marc Murphy broke the Blues goal drought to give them a seven-point lead going into the last quarter.
Successive majors to Casboult and Jack Silvagni set up a 19-point buffer for the visitors, but goals to Isaac Heeney and Sam Reid reduced the deficit back to seven.
Olrac
Guest
Brisbane have been helped by a very even season. 14 wins might be top 4, 12 top 8. I think the blues can jump into the 8 and other results/injuries/signings will dictate how far up
michael RVC
Roar Pro
Franklin? Absolutely yes. Just like he was for the Hawks, inc one prem. But in addressing Longmire’s achievements as a coach, I’m even more pleased as I could reasonably be. The qualification there is the two prem’s that we did not win. In one we were inexplicably thrashed by a superior team; the other we let slip. Not Longmire’s fault in either case.
rude
Guest
I wanted a new coach till Brad Scott got the sacked from North and I was so scared swans would sign him . 10 years at north and not one player got better under him swans been playing one of the youngest team all year . Plus no ruckman for 3 games so not to bad .
Spanner
Roar Rookie
Fair response Michael but let me check - are you saying that you are pleased with the Swans results since Franklin was recruited, bearing in mind that he was arguably the highest credentialled recruit the club has ever picked up ? BTW, I'm not really an expert lol.
michael RVC
Roar Pro
I see you have an opinion, which is fine. Not sure what makes you an expert, but no need to explain. However I would question that notion based on your rationale as to Longmire’s success/value/ability as a coach. Firstly, being assessed in terms of how he or has not used Franklin has almost no relevance at all. Secondly, the arguments that Franklin has been used in exactly the way he should have been by The Swans are easily made. So, we’ll see how Horse goes over the next 2 seasons with the task he now has and make a call then I think. To do that now is just plain dumb/hysterical.
Jack
Guest
I see a lot of upside to blues, 13 young first round draft picks should only get better. I think the most pleasing this is in my opinion my favourite and most skillfill young players are Curnow and Cunningham and neither played. Hopefully we get get jack Silvani and Cunningham resigned ASAP. I am not even sure we need to throw stupid money at an older player
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Coniglio perhaps?
Macca
Roar Rookie
I have been saying all year we are one year behind the Lions. If we could add someone like Coniglio and get Docherty back it would be a big improvement
Parkside Darren
Roar Rookie
It’s a good comparison Peter A Lachie Neale equivalent recruit would go along way
Spanner
Roar Rookie
I AM a footy expert, Michael and the lads are right - the horse is finished ! A very ordinary coach who is going to do very well out of the current, and imminent, coaching vacancies. I summarise his coaching thus - he was given the most outrageously talented footballer (not just a full forward) to have played the game and has left him to wither on the vine. Imagine this athlete at chb or on a wing or ruck roving ? Just leave him at ff and bomb it in ! And now the boy is finished due to injury and father time so the chance has gone. Terrible coach !
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
What an outrageous comment about teachers. I am not saying it’s wrong.
michael RVC
Roar Pro
And you team is?
michael RVC
Roar Pro
It was a bad loss, but well done blues. Anyway, nice to see you back carping like a primary schooler after disapearing whilst the swans were winning.
michael RVC
Roar Pro
Says a footy expert. Sheesh, what a waste of oxygen.
michael RVC
Roar Pro
Bye.
michael RVC
Roar Pro
Bombed out badly Swannies. Not good enough, but it’s part of the path back to top 8 ability. Well done Carlton, great win.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Depends true blue. The Lions are near full strength and we haven’t seen Blues at full strength yet. Get a good injury run next year and maybe a decent rise?
true blue
Guest
I was asking the same question. In all honesty I think we are couple yeast off.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Can the Blues of 2020 be the Lions of 2019?
Mitcher
Guest
Yours must be a satirical profile?