“They’ll hang on, the Dogs! They are gonna hang on! Mark this day down, Western Bulldogs fans!”
Those were the words of one Anthony Hudson as the siren sounded at the SCG on Saturday, May 2, 2015. The Western Bulldogs were five games into the tenure of Luke Beveridge and had just secured an incredible upset four-point win over the reigning minor premiers in Sydney.
It might not have been the moment that lit the club’s 2016 premiership fuse – they were already 3-1 by that stage and actually lost their next three matches – but it was certainly the moment the Bulldogs announced themselves as a club on the rise after three rudderless seasons under Brendan McCartney.
Importantly, it was the game that made the players and supporters believe they were capable of defeating anyone.
There are probably just as many differences as there are similarities between that rainy afternoon at the SCG and last Saturday night’s clash at Kardinia Park, but I can’t help but draw a parallel between that trajectory-altering performance and the two-point win Carlton enjoyed over Geelong.
While everyone may have their eyes drawn to the furious fortnight the Gold Coast Suns have put together – and fairly so – I was mesmerised by the manner the Blues cut the Cats to ribbons for three quarters before holding on for dear life at the end to open their 2020 account.
We always knew the Blues were better than their 0-2 record suggested. They’d outplayed the Tigers for at least the second half in the season opener, although arguably they’d had the upper hand since the second quarter, while some poor finishing in front of goal was all that saw their second-half comeback against Melbourne fall short last week.
If I hadn’t written about the Dogs’ dreadful start to 2020 last week, my piece would have been instead headlined; “If Carlton learn to start on time, watch out”.
And start on time they did.
They kicked the first four goals unanswered in the opening quarter, with relentless pressure at half-forward pressuring the home team in hurried handballs and low-percentage kicks. They extended their 25-point quarter-time lead into 29 at the main break and 35 at the final change.
Their final quarter obviously wasn’t for the highlight reel, but they defended grimly when they needed to and hung on for a hard-fought win.
Patrick Cripps was at his bullocking best with 24 disposals, 17 contested possessions, 12 clearances and two goals, Sam Docherty reminded the AFL why his two-year absence was impossible to cover with 23 touches and nine intercept possessions, Marc Pittonet had arguably the best game of his career and monstered Rhys Stanley in the ruck, while Eddie Betts turned back the clock with two goals, an equal team-high seven score involvements and one match-winning tackle.
Naysayers will point to the final-quarter collapse and Esava Ratugolea’s catastrophic brain fade, but nothing can take away the fact nobody would have picked to win in Geelong for the last five years and, for the majority of the game, were doing it blindfolded.
These are the character-building wins that can alter the trajectory of the club. It did for the Bulldogs and it can do the same for the Blues
Can this win catapult the Blues to greater things? (Photo by Graham Denholm/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
I wrote before the season resumed that Blues fans should be demanding better results and a move up the ladder under David Teague and their form post-lockdown has been mostly superb.
Entering 2015, the Bulldogs had endured the offseason from hell, losing Ryan Griffen, Shaun Higgins Adam Cooney, CEO Simon Garlick and coach McCartney. Most outlets had them firmly entrenched in the bottom four, with Fox Footy declaring five to seven wins would be a good result.
Instead, off the back of that huge win over the Swans, they rocketed all the way up to sixth before falling to Adelaide in an elimination final. We all know what happened the next year.
Are the Blues now en route to a fairytale flag in 2021? Probably not, but their list is of the age and experience level for things to start falling into place – and we may finally be witnessing that rise.
They were the seventh oldest and sixth-most experienced side last weekend – ranking higher in both categories than flag fancies Collingwood and GWS. Sitting above them on the list are Geelong, Hawthorn, West Coast, Port Adelaide, Richmond and North Melbourne – all clubs who either entered the season as contenders or have impressed in the opening rounds.
The Blues are now 8-7 since David Teague took over after winning just nine games from the start of 2017 until Brendon Bolton was sacked. With performances like Saturday’s, there’s no reason this resurgence can’t continue throughout 2020 and result in a surprise finals appearance.
In fact, since 2007 (the start of Geelong’s successful era), nine of the ten sides to win away at Kardinia have gone on to play finals.
Their veterans are winding back the clock, their young prospects are blossoming before our eyes and even the ragtag fringe players many had written off are forcing us to eat humble pie.
They hung on last Saturday night and, if the Blues do have some success over the next three years, this will absolutely be the match everyone points to as the catalyst.
Macca
Roar Rookie
I always think these who is the better player arguments are a bit like which super model would you rather sleep with. All the players you listed are great players (although I wouldn't have Mitchell as high, I just don't think he turns the game like others) but if the blues were going to target one of them I would go after Macrae. Good age, great player who is really underrated and has a good blend of inside and outside
Maxy
Roar Rookie
ollie is no elite ball user either so forget i bought that up :laughing:
Macca
Roar Rookie
The blues would be hoping Brodie Kemp at 192cm becomes that player. Dow isn't that big but looks best suited to that inside role as well. I would be looking for more an elite ball user. Cripps and Walsh are great players but they aren't great kicks.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
Cheers Macca. I rate Dusty as the best midfielder in the comp, because he kicks goals at critical times regularly when it counts. Bont, Cripps, Danger and Fyfe all lack this element. I rate Bont marginally ahead of Cripps purely because he is more creative, but I rate Bont and Cripps ahead of the other two because they do all the hard work, run both ways and don't rely on teammates defending on their behalf. But not much difference between all four of them. Dusty is clearly ahead. Pendlebury, Sidebottom and Shuey should probably be in the conversation too. Neale, Coniglio, Gaff, Mitchell, Kennedy, Boak, Kelly, Macrae, Cotchin, are all great too but a fair way below these players. Thoughts?
Enigma
Roar Rookie
That is certainly a fair point too.
Maxy
Roar Rookie
cripps takes a battering, another strong inside mid could help him out,need the right balance though so see your point
Macca
Roar Rookie
You are absolutely correct PD. I see our best 22 pretty well set up for the next 4 or 5 years in most area's but we will need a replacement for Betts (hopefully Papley) and we have to find another couple (at least) of high quality mids. On the plus side there are players like Fisher, Dow (both currently out injured), Kennedy, O'brien, Stocker, Philp (really impressing so far this year), Honey & Kemp (will miss full year after doing knee at end of last year but is a great size and has amazing burst speed - could be just what the doctor ordered) already on the list that could jump up and become the player we need - they really need to grab that chance. Otherwise we will be looking to splash some cash but that task becomes a whole lot easier if we can show we are legitimately improving and the new player would be the icing on the cake rather than the bloke doing the heavy lifting.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
I think they need more an Andrew Gaff or Josh Kelly type. Or maybe Jye Caldwell. Taranto would be handy too.
Maxy
Roar Rookie
i wonder if the wines rumours where true over the summer, trying to get to carlton or essendon ,he might try again this off season?
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
Yeah Martin is a great pickup - spewing we missed out on him. I'm surprised at how well Pittonet is going - I bet there are many clubs now regretting not going after him. Good on him.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
Great victory by the Blues. But they desperately need more A and B grade depth in the midfield, where games are mostly won and lost, before they can regularly topple good sides. Cripps is top 6 midfielders in the comp and Walsh might join him one day, but outside of those two they really lack ammunition. Maybe they can prise one from GWS' abundant list over the summer.
Stirling Coates
Editor
That's fair scepticism, although I'd counter again with the fact that 2015 was the only year in that stretch that Geelong missed the finals too.
Enigma
Roar Rookie
It's a bit chicken/egg, isn't it. I would suggest that the teams who are winning in Geelong are established sides with proven track records of success, rather than Carlton in 2020 which is trying to turn a corner. Since 2007 the only teams to win down there are Sydney (repeatedly, a match up/ground which appears to favour them), GWS in their GF year coming off 3 years of finals, Fremantle in their 2013-15 peak, and North Melbourne in 2015 (a year in which they made a prelim, coming off a year in which they made a prelim). Carlton's win could very well be a sign that they are a legitimate side this year. I'm just cautious of reading too much into one win and the example of my club in 2015 is one of the reasons why.
Enigma
Roar Rookie
"If Carlton get up and about people will want to play for them" I don't really know what that means or what it's got to do with the relevance of beating Geelong. But it's always good to know that if someone mentions Melbourne, you're right there to pop up and be a tool.
Parkside Darren
Roar Rookie
Maybe 1200 Floyd as he would have stayed at FF not moved to the wing.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
That’s all true, Parkside. If Matthew Richardson had had that ball-drop coordination he could’ve kicked over a thousand goals, not just 800. Timing is everything.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Gibbons endeavour has b en good, just wish he was better with ball in hand, not a great user or decision maker. Setterfield has laid 10 tackles over the last 2 weeks, he is working hard hopefully he will get the reward. Newness can go, let Fisher have a run in the scratch match and give Philp a shot.
Parkside Darren
Roar Rookie
Lynch is a much more reliable kick that Harry though Col. Harry runs left and generally kicks left. He doesn’t look like he is focussed when kicking for goal. Much more practice required. McGovern is our best set shot by a long way – he has a text book technique. All credit to Casboult he has worked so hard on his goalkicking and now has a technique that he has confident in. You can see he keeps control of the ball with his right hand just that split second longer so that it drops straighter onto the boot.
Parkside Darren
Roar Rookie
Macca - I agree that the depth may be at the club already. Hopefully a couple of those guys either come on/or return from injury soon and provide the additional numbers needed. I've impressed with Gibbons since he has moved to the wing. Setterfield isn't doing quite enough at the moment. Newnes is the one I would say going out for whoever is impressing the most - Fisher or Philp. Hopefully the others you name can replace Murphy and Curnow over the next couple of years - and be consistently top performers. I agree Kemp could be a great pickup.
Charlie McCormack
Roar Rookie
I think the Blues have shown enough this year to suggest there is genuine scope for improvement in the future. They just need to play the four quarters. In each of their games, it’s been one shocking quarter that’s costed them. And for what its worth, Jack Martin is showing the form that saw him hyped up as a kid. He’s got serious class and poise on both feet and has really added to Carlton offensively.