Summary
Geelong get the four points, as expected, but they had to do it the hard way. Carlton were architects of their own downfall, kicking inaccurately when they had the ascendancy early, and it was only a couple of junk time majors that prevented an even more embarrassing scoreline.
The Blues were committed though, and in Sam Walsh and Jacob Weitering had two of the game’s outstanding players. I’d give the latter best on ground for how he not only held Tom Hawkins but also peeled off to spoil and intercept often, covering the late absence of Liam Jones.
The Cats were out of synch for large parts, especially in the final third, where Esava Ratugolea was more hindrance than help at times. But Gary Rohan, Zach Tuohy, and Shuan Higgins all kicked truly at crucial times when their opposite numbers could not. And Geelong did it all while resting Joel Selwood and Luke Dahlhaus, and missing Jeremy Cameron and Mitch Duncan through injury. They will go deep into September yet again you must presume.
Right, that’s enough from me. There’s liveblogs coming at you left right and centre over the next few days so look out for coverage from Wimbledon, the Euros, Wallabies, State of Origin, Australia’s T20 series in the West Indies, and presumably more besides. TTFN.
Carlton 5.14 (44) lose to Geelong 10.10 (70)
The Cats scrap for an ugly four points, helped by some woeful Carlton goal-kicking.
All love between two champions 😘#AFLBluesCats pic.twitter.com/PO82hhsWUD
— AFL (@AFL) July 10, 2021
Q4: 0.30 min remaining: Carlton 5.14 (44) v 10.10 (70) Geelong - Higgins misses with the final attacking shot of the game.
Q4: 1 min remaining: Carlton 5.14 (44) v 10.9 (69) Geelong - Another scoreboard softener for the Blues. Free-kick at the centre bounce, a big hoist to a pack, and McKay comes down with it. Belatedly he kicks through the ball for the goal.
Q4: 1 min remaining: Carlton 4.14 (38) v 10.9 (69) Geelong - Walsh has two. Another solo effort, this time bombing home from 50 after Geelong are sloppy exiting defence.
Q4: 3 mins remaining: Carlton 3.14 (32) v 10.9 (69) Geelong - Holmes turns on the afterburners and kicks his first goal in Geelong hoops.
Q4: 4 mins remaining: Carlton 3.14 (32) v 9.9 (63) Geelong - I feel as though this game hasn’t told us anything new about Carlton. They’re a work in progress, plenty of promise, but all the working parts are yet to connect at the same time. Just below the eight is where they should be.
As for Geelong? A hard-earned four points without Selwood, Cameron and Duncan, but their key selection decisions ahead of the finals remain unresolved. Neither Stanley, or the especially disappointing Ratugolea, have done enough to cement a spot in the best 22. In better news, Higgins has shown glimpses of his class after an up-and-down campaign.
Q4: 6 mins remaining: Carlton 3.14 (32) v 9.8 (62) Geelong - Walsh, who has been excellent, bags a terrific individual goal to top off his performance. He marks on 50m then runs around the boundary edge, takes a bounce, and slots the finish almost angrily, with no forwards presenting ahead of him.
Q4: 8 mins remaining: Carlton 2.14 (26) v 9.8 (62) Geelong - Now they have, and Stanley goals from 10m out. He hasn’t convinced me he’s in Geelong’s best 22 today, but then Ratugolea has been even more disappointing.
Q4: 9 mins remaining: Carlton 2.14 (26) v 8.8 (56) Geelong - The Cats are turning the screw, but they can’t fashion a scoring opportunity.
Q4: 13 mins remaining: Carlton 2.14 (26) v 8.8 (56) Geelong - Just as an aside post while the ball is pinged form arc to arc at pace, Stewart and Weitering better get Brownlow votes from this game. Pair of them best on ground by a country mile, but as key defenders, will anybody notice?
Q4: 16 mins remaining: Carlton 2.14 (26) v 8.8 (56) Geelong - The Cats piece together another nice attack. It ends in Rohan’s hands, but his 50m set shot drifts wide. Stocker comprehensively butchers the kick-out, and instead of sending a torp 65m up the guts he shanks a floater to Tuohy. The Irishman really does ice the game this time, kicking sweetly from 48m.
Q4: 17 mins remaining: Carlton 2.14 (26) v 7.7 (49) Geelong - The Blues have to bring it all in the next 5-10 minutes now, and they begin in style with Betts laying the tackle on Henry just inside 50! Silvagni takes the advantage and, on the run, misses from 35m out.
David Teague’s inner monologue: AAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHH
Q4: 19 mins remaining: Carlton 2.13 (25) v 7.7 (49) Geelong - A minute of the ball in chaotic dispute ends with Geelong flying coast to coast down the right boundary until a perfect centring ball lands to Tuohy’s advantage. He’s too strong in his marking contest and in his 100th game for the Cats he probably seals it. The move all begins with the superb Stewart, who may be BOG, but Dangerfield does well to keep the play flowing, then Higgins is smart with the killer pass. Some rare efficient team ball movement ending in a goal.
3QT: Carlton 2.13 (25) v 6.7 (43) Geelong
Geelong should have done enough that quarter to earn the four points. It’s been a far from convincing performance so far though and Carlton are not out of it yet. This gif sums it all up.
Communication is key 😬#AFLBluesCats pic.twitter.com/7gQQQ3gjla
— AFL (@AFL) July 10, 2021
Q3: 1 min remaining: Carlton 2.13 (25) v 6.7 (43) Geelong - Brilliant smother from Henderson! Carlton have upped their intensity in the past few minutes and with Walsh and McKay sniffing Geelong needed a huge intervention and it’s the former Blue in his 200th that delivers.
Q3: 2 mins remaining: Carlton 2.13 (25) v 6.7 (43) Geelong - Stanley looks like a baby giraffe trying to pick up a rolling ball just inside his own D-50. Carlton can’t profit though because Martin is the latest to fail to mark a simple grab in front of his eyes. The Blues keep the pressure on though and the latest hopeful punt to the hotspot lands in McKay’s favour on the burst. Can he finally hit the target? YES! From 53m out he follows through and gives Blues fans something to cheer, hours since they last had cause to stand up and clear their throats.
Q3: 3 mins remaining: Carlton 1.13 (19) v 6.7 (43) Geelong - It might be a result of the mist, and the dew settling, but the handling skills have declined noticeably this quarter. They weren’t pristine to begin with. Geelong do well enough to smuggle the ball through midfield and they are fortunate to have Smith in possession for the crucial kick and he picks out Higgins in space 45m out. He goes back and kicks a beautiful arrow of a set shot to add some class to a scrubby old afternoon.
Q3: 5 mins remaining: Carlton 1.13 (19) v 5.7 (37) Geelong - The Blues work their way out with some quick kicks, but it ends going sideways, Geelong shut down the space, and Martin is forced to bomb long down the line. The stoppage is hot and the ball remains in dispute for an age with repeat stoppages on Geelong’s defensive 50 arc. Consecutive Carlton players then shank massive slices that are almost fresh-airys and Geelong can rebuild. The ball goes deep into 50, the ball comes off hands over the back, there are two Cats who have to score but Holmes dribbles wide from 5m with Hawkins on his shoulder. Gee whizz!
Q3: 8 mins remaining: Carlton 1.13 (19) v 5.6 (36) Geelong - The Cats attack again and Miers does superbly to wheel around and set up Rohan, who has been excellent. Rohan winds the clock down before kicking to a pack that ends off hands with a ball-in. From the stoppage Hawkins bullies his way into possession but can’t hit anything with his snap.
Q3: 9 mins remaining: Carlton 1.13 (19) v 5.6 (36) Geelong - Carlton go bold with a brave kick inboard then an inside-50 to McKay’s lead, but Geelong to enough to spoil. They then earn a free-kick and clear which precipitates chaos between the arcs with both teams having a crack and mounting attacks. The Cats look the likelier but Tuohy allows a mark to skid through his hands! Then two Cats clash heads going for the same Silvagni bouncing ball near the goal-line! This is a weird old game.
Q3: 11 mins remaining: Carlton 1.12 (18) v 5.6 (36) Geelong - Carlton go coast to coast and Owies somehow ends up with the ball after an awful garryowen of a delivery inside 50, but his off-balance snap misses the lot.
Q3: 12 mins remaining: Carlton 1.12 (18) v 5.6 (36) Geelong - Rohan does well defensively this time, marking a clearing kick down the line to set Geelong up with some slow possession in their own half. From that Menegola drills to Hawkins who turns and smashes a pass to Close in the same movement. The small forward is skinny with the shot.
Q3: 14 mins remaining: Carlton 1.12 (18) v 5.5 (35) Geelong - The Cats earn a free-kick from the restart and finally, finally, a forward gets a lead - Rohan on this occasion - and grabs the mark well in front of spoil-machine Weitering. Geelong with two quick goals to change the complexion of this match.
Q3: 15 mins remaining: Carlton 1.12 (18) v 4.5 (29) Geelong - The Cats move the ball freely, Hawkins marks on a long lead, he kicks to the advantage of Ratugolea - and the ball goes through his forward partner’s hands! Oh dear oh dear. Geelong keep the pressure on though and a repeat entry is brought to ground by Blicavs where Parfitt is on the spot to goal from point-blank range. Finally, someone splits the big sticks.
Q3: 16 mins remaining: Carlton 1.12 (18) v 3.5 (23) Geelong - From the boundary in the left forward pocket Owies hits the post! The Blues now 1.12!
Q3: 17 mins remaining: Carlton 1.11 (17) v 3.5 (23) Geelong - Gah! Now Geelong butcher a scoring opportunity. Dangerfield has time and space on the burst through the corridor but he doesn’t put the ball to Henderson’s advantage. Two teams out of synch out there today.
Q3: 18 mins remaining: Carlton 1.11 (17) v 3.5 (23) Geelong - The Cats get out, but the play ends when it reaches Stanley - who has been poor - and from the boundary on the right flank he bombs hopefully long and loopy to nobody. Now it’s Carlton’s turn to rebound with speed and they carve through the Cats until Owles’ set shot is touched over on the line.
Q3: 19 mins remaining: Carlton 1.10 (16) v 3.4 (22) Geelong - Carlton win the first clearance of the half courtesy of a free-kick, then they earn the first shot at goal when Henry interferes with McKay at the marking contest. The shot is absolutely awful and from 30m is lucky to scrag a point.
The stats sheet is pretty even, by the way. The glaring number is Geelong’s 30 inside-50s, double Carlton’s 15. However, that has resulted in only seven shots at goal. Meanwhile, down the other end, Carlton are 1.9, which says it all.
Half-time: Carlton 1.9 (15) v 3.4 (22) Geelong
Geelong have grown into the game but they lack cohesion going forward. Carlton have scrapped admirably, and in Weitering they have the game’s most crucial figure. All to play for after half-time.
GARY ROHAN WOAH #imlovingit | #AFLBluesCats pic.twitter.com/ATZT9gKgyU
— AFL (@AFL) July 10, 2021
Q2: 1 mins remaining: Carlton 1.9 (15) v 3.4 (22) Geelong - The Blues gain some rare territory and put the Cats under pressure in defence. Guthrie hacks a hurried clearing kick but it loops up for de Koning to mark on 50m. His set shot doesn’t make the journey.
Q2: 2 mins remaining: Carlton 1.8 (14) v 3.4 (22) Geelong - Oh boy. Mark of the year contender from Rohan! He got a huuuuuuuuuuuge ride on de Koning’s shoulders to take a hanger in the forward pocket. He snaps wide. That was thrilling.
Q2: 3 mins remaining: Carlton 1.8 (14) v 3.3 (21) Geelong - Stewart’s up and about and bursting onto the ball in midfield but his long kick to Ratugolea’s advantage does not find his forward. That situation has not worked today.
Q2: 4 mins remaining: Carlton 1.8 (14) v 3.3 (21) Geelong - The Cats are held up on Calrton’s 50m, and not for the first time Weitering is on hand to deal with the long bomb. Hmmmm. Stewart flew to take a magnificent intercept mark, but he landed awkwardly and he’s limping. Doesn’t look serious, but at this stage of the year you don’t want to see anyone hobbling.
Q2: 6 mins remaining: Carlton 1.8 (14) v 3.3 (21) Geelong - A scrappy passage of play between the arcs from both teams is almost punctuated by Ratugolea marks, but on two occasions he can’t hold on despite seeming to have the dominant position. Carlton slow the game down with a slow switch across halfback.
Q2: 9 mins remaining: Carlton 1.8 (14) v 3.3 (21) Geelong - The Cats can mount a methodical attack but Ratugloea - who has been anonymous - cannot compete in the goalsquare. Cripps leads the latest raid with fast hands, but this time Geelong nail a crucial tackle and cut off the run. With Carlton off guard Ratugolea finally gets separation, has his lead honoured, and he sprays his set shot miles wide. I am unconvinced he fits into a premiership-winning side as a permanent forward.
Q2: 10 mins remaining: Carlton 1.8 (14) v 3.2 (20) Geelong - Another flowing Carlton move through the corridor full of neat handballs, but another poor delivery towards McKay and Geelong fist clear. The Cats can’t gain territory though and the Blues mount another attack - and this time McKay has a pocket to run into and Walsh finds it superbly! Of course, the check-side set shot misses. Poor David Teague.
Q2: 13 mins remaining: Carlton 1.7 (13) v 3.2 (20) Geelong - Carlton finally break the shackles but after belting down the right wing the centring kick is poor and Stewart intercepts. Geelong should do better on the rebound but Ratugolea can’t tidy up. The Blues flood back the other way and piece together the move of the match so far with a superb chain of handballs and delicate kicks. It ends with McKay snapping wide. Another goal for the ghost scoreboard.
Q2: 15 mins remaining: Carlton 1.6 (12) v 3.2 (20) Geelong - The Cats have established their structure now and are squeezing the Blues, but again Weitering holds up Geelong, earning a free-kick in a contest with both Hawkins and Ratugolea.
Q2: 16 mins remaining: Carlton 1.6 (12) v 3.2 (20) Geelong - Space is beginning to open for Geelong’s precision, patient ball movement, but Weitering is doing a superb job on Hawkins to deny the Cats clear marking opportunities. The ball keeps coming back through and after some ping-pong between Carlton’s goal and 50m arc Holmes snaps wide when he had other options to use.
Q2: 17 mins remaining: Carlton 1.6 (12) v 3.1 (19) Geelong - Carlton almost hit straight back but Curnow can neither goal nor find either of his two teammates in one-on-ones and Kolodjashnij spoils.
Q2: 18 mins remaining: Carlton 1.5 (11) v 3.1 (19) Geelong - It’s not pretty but Geelong kicked the opening goal of the term. Parfitt sets up the territory, Ratugolea denies Carlton the chance to clear, then there’s chaos with the Cats keeping the ball alive until Smith has time and space to run on with a burst and snap the goal.
Q2: 19 mins remaining: Carlton 1.5 (11) v 2.1 (13) Geelong - Vintage Dangerfield from the centre clearance but Weitering does well in the marking contest with Hawkins - that has been a superb contest already. The Tomahawk does well at ground level though but as he wheels around onto his left he miskicks and Carlton clear.
Updated
QT: Carlton 1.5 (11) v 2.1 (13) Geelong
Geelong lead, but they haven’t hit their straps. The Blues will be disappointed to have kicked only one goal.
Such a beautiful moment to witness - so much love for @CarltonFC legend Uncle Syd Jackson 💙 #AFLBluesCats pic.twitter.com/eVdNrr9bq3
— Shelley Ware (@ShelleyWare) July 10, 2021
Q1: 1 min remaining: Carlton 1.5 (11) v 2.1 (13) Geelong - McKay fails to mark in a one-on-one with Blicavs after superb work from Betts. The Blues lock the ball in though and from the stoppage Cripps snaps a fraction wide. Carlton will rue the scoreboard right now.
Q1: 3 mins remaining: Carlton 1.4 (10) v 2.1 (13) Geelong - Carlton are getting a touch ragged, emphasising the change in momentum, and Close profits from the latest, picking off the intercept then firing a beautiful long bomb to Rohan. The former Swan should goal but he hits the post.
As the sun sets, there’s an eerie mist descending on the MCG.
Q1: 4 mins remaining: Carlton 1.4 (10) v 2.0 (12) Geelong - The Cats are growing into the contest now. Parfitt has been busy in midfield and, their forward line looks dangerous against an undersized Carlton backline.
Q1: 5.30 mins remaining: Carlton 1.4 (10) v 2.0 (12) Geelong - Typically, Geelong score with supreme efficiency against the run of play. Holmes delivers the killer pass, Bews nails the superb finish from fully 50m. David Teague mustn’t believe his bad luck.
Q1: 6 mins remaining: Carlton 1.4 (10) v 1.0 (6) Geelong - The Cats are having a ‘mare with ball in hand. They don’t know whether to go fast or slow and the indecision is leading to regular turnovers. Carlton would kick themselves (but they’d probably miss) because of their inability to capitalise. Curnow is the latest to pull a gettable set shot.
Q1: 8 mins remaining: Carlton 1.3 (9) v 1.0 (6) Geelong - The Cats try to go patient but the passage ends with Kolodjashnij responsible for delivering inside-50, and he kicks horribly out on the full. Geelong are not on their game just yet.
Q1: 11 mins remaining: Carlton 1.3 (9) v 1.0 (6) Geelong - Petrevski-Seton again! Carlton’s midfield is well on top and after Cripps earns a free-kick the ball is pounded inside-50 where Petrevski-Seton rises highest to pluck a lovely mark. But he tugs his kick narrowly wide. Oh dear, Carlton have left plenty of goals out there already. Not sure they can afford to do that against a side with Geelong’s firepower.
Q1: 12 mins remaining: Carlton 1.2 (8) v 1.0 (6) Geelong - The Blues with the instant reply, winning the centre clearance, bombing long, where Petrevski-Seton gathers off hands to slam home. So simple sometimes.
Q1: 13 mins remaining: Carlton 0.2 (2) v 1.0 (6) Geelong - Now they have. Quick ball from back to front, a series of one-on-one’s deep, and Ratugolea stands tall to take the mark and goal from point-blank range. Ratugolea is a permanent key forward today and his day’s off to an excellent start, exposing the absence of Jones and Casboult.
Q1: 13.30 mins remaining: Carlton 0.2 (2) v 0.0 (0) Geelong - Another chance missed for the Blues, this time Walsh on the run from 50m after Carlton bossed a stoppage on centre wing. Geelong have yet to fire a shot.
Q1: 14 mins remaining: Carlton 0.1 (1) v 0.0 (0) Geelong - The Cats are fumbly by hand, turning rebound opportunities into transitional attacks for the Blues. Carlton get a good look at the footy but after a patient build-up they kick the entry inside-50 straight to Geelong’s spare defender.
Q1: 16 mins remaining: Carlton 0.1 (1) v 0.0 (0) Geelong - The Cats are dawdling playing out from the back, not happy taking the game on. But when the ball is kicked to a contest it falls Geelong’s way and some snappy handballs sends them into the right forward pocket. They can’t take advantage though and Kolodjashnij makes a mess of a handball-receive and McKay can pounce - but he fumbles and shanks a weak effort on goal. Neither side clean early.
Q1: 19 mins remaining: Carlton 0.1 (1) v 0.0 (0) Geelong - Dangerfield is busy early but his hoof forward is cut out by Saad and Carlton get the first controlled spell of possession. Silvagni has plenty of options inside-50, and he picks out Newnes with a mongrel. The shot is poor and Carlton waste an early chance.
Meanwhile, Henderson is being booed by the Blues fans. Can anyone explain why they would do that?
Opening bounce!
Blues v Cats is underway...
Patrick Dangerfield taking control of Geelong’s huddle in the absence of Joel Selwood. The former Crow is coming to the boil nicely after an injury disrupted season.
Geelong are out in their indigenous guernsey, which is predominately white, along with white shorts and socks. Carlton are top to toe in their traditional navy blue.
It’s a perfect winter’s day in Melbourne with barely a cloud in the sky, just the slightest breeze, and temperatures that are chilly without being cold.
Dylan Alcott is a proud Bluebagger, but he might have more important things on his mind right now than four premiership points. Here is alongside Richmond premiership cup presenter Ash Barty. Hopefully we can re-caption this picture later on with the words “Wimbledon champions”.
Finals day 💪🏼💪🏼 @wimbledon 💚💜 pic.twitter.com/QMqZuWZupN
— Dylan Alcott (@DylanAlcott) July 10, 2021
Geelong are among the AFL’s fab five as the race for the all-important top-four spots narrows. Scott Heinrich has predicted the Cats will end the year third on the ladder, what do you reckon? And do Port Adelaide even deserve membership of the club after yet another flop against a top-eight rival on Thursday?
That win for the Dockers puts them up to seventh on the ladder ahead of West Coast on percentage (and for the time being Richmond are down in 11th!). It’s going to be an almighty scramble for the last couple of spots in the finals.
Elsewhere this round Melbourne bounced back after a ropey couple of weeks and once again undermined Port Adelaide’s flag credentials. While Essendon proved there’s plenty of green shoots in their 2021 recovery with a shellacking of Adelaide.
The big footy news this week has been all about Hawthorn’s coaching succession plan. Common sense, or too clever by half?
The Hawks struggled today, getting belted up 6.10 (46) to 16.12 (108) by Fremantle.
Geelong
The Cats gambled with Jeremy Cameron’s fitness against Essendon and the move backfired with their star recruit nursing his hamstring on the sidelines for an extended period. The experienced pair of Joel Selwood and Luke Dahlhaus have been rested.
It’s a solid list of inclusions with Esava Ratugolea and Mark O’Connor in Geelong’s best 22, while Shaun Higgins clearly has the class if he can find the form.
B: Atkins, Kolodjashnij, Henry
HB: Henderson, Stewart, Blicavs
C: Smith, Cam Guthrie, Menegola
HF: Dangerfield, Ratugolea, Close
F: Higgins, Hawkins, Rohan
FOLL: Stanley, O’Connor, Parfitt
I/C: Bews, Tuohy, Holmes, Miers
Sub: Narkle
IN: Esava Ratugolea, Mark O’Connor, Shaun Higgins
OUT: Jeremy Cameron (injured), Luke Dahlhaus, Joel Selwood (managed)
Upcoming R17 AFL milestones:
— Patrick Keane (@AFL_PKeane) July 4, 2021
200 games - N Fyfe, L Henderson, S Motlop, D Zorko
150 - M Gawn, J Stringer, D Astbury, J Jenkins
150 coached - L Beveridge
100 - S Menegola, J Hopper, E Langdon
100 club - W Hoskin-Elliott
100 at two clubs - Z Tuohy (will be 52nd in VFL/AFL history)
Carlton
Following consecutive victories the Blues expected to make just the one change with Zac Williams coming back into the line-up. However, a couple of late changes scuppered that with bookends Levi Casboult (knee) and Liam Jones (back) withdrawn. Consequently, Will Setterfield comes in and Tom Williamson retains his place.
B: Stocker, Weitering, Williams
HB: Saad, Plowman, Newman
C: Petrevski-Seton, Cripps, Newnes
HF: Betts, E.Curnow, Fogarty
F: McKay, Silvagni, Martin
FOLL: De Koning, Dow, Walsh
I/C: Kennedy, Williamson, Setterfield, Owies
Sub: Cottrell
IN: Zac Williams, Will Setterfield
OUT: Levi Caboult (knee), Liam Jones (back)
To recognise this year's NAIDOC Week theme of Heal Country, we explore our seven Indigenous players' connection to their culture and the land we live. pic.twitter.com/i7nvnNgHFk
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) July 8, 2021
Preamble
Hello everybody and welcome to live coverage of the round 17 clash between Carlton and Geelong from the MCG. The opening bounce is scheduled for 4.35pm.
The Cats returned to winning ways last weekend against the Bombers, and another victory today would put a game’s buffer between them and Port Adelaide in the race for the top four. Geelong have racked up the wins this year with only brief passages in top gear, but it’s approaching the time when Chris Scott needs a clear idea of his best 22 and how his abundantly talented squad is going to embark on a finals campaign that looks the most wide open in years.
Carlton will not be bothering the scorers in September, but back-to-back wins have brought some cheer to a coach and club that have been ladened with doom for most the season. There’s clearly plenty of raw material to work with at the Blues, but whether David Teague is the man to get the best out of it remains to be seen. A root and branch review of football operations is never a great look, especially for a side pushing almost a decade out of the finals.
Geelong, by contrast, continue to purr along behind the scenes. This week they quietly appointed Steve Hocking to replace outgoing CEO Brian Cook. Hocking knows the club from the ground up, and arrives with detailed knowledge of the inner-workings of footy HQ - an ideal combination of attributes.
Don’t forget to join in throughout the day. Send your emails to jonathan.howcroft.casual@theguardian.com and tweets @JPHowcroft.
