Summary
Nine in a row for the Demons. They’ll win prettier this season, but four points is four points. Each previous occasion Melbourne have started the season 9-0 they’ve gone on to win the flag. Can they continue that streak?
They certainly have the defence to do so. Jake Lever and Steven May again excelled on an afternoon that began dry but became wet, against a forward line featuring the skills of Eddie Betts at ground level and Harry McKay in the air.
In front of them Clayton Oliver was industrious and Max Gawn dominated the ruck. Bayley Fritsch and Tom McDonald both kicked bags of three, the latter gilding an excellent all-round performance as a roaming half-forward.
McKay also kicked three, and was a workhorse throughout, despite injury his right shoulder in the opening quarter. It was a rough day for the Blues who lost David Cunningham in the opening minute to a knee injury.
Carlton battled for four quarters but also looked to be playing catch-up against a Melbourne side that played with more know-how. David Teague’s side are now a long way off the eight and there’ll need to be some clear communication in the coming days to establish what the remainder of their season looks like.
No such problems for Simon Goodwin who can revel in yet another victory as his Demons go marching on.
Melbourne: 13.16 (94) beat Carlton: 10.8 (68)
It was far from a classic but the Demons do enough.
Q4: 1.00 mins remaining: Melbourne 13.16 (94) v 10.8 (68) Carlton - Almost there. Nine straight for Melbourne it is.
Q4: 3.00 mins remaining: Melbourne 13.16 (94) v 10.8 (68) Carlton - While I have the platform, the “diving on the footy” free-kick rule is an abomination. It penalises players attacking the ball and incentivises defenders holding off and smothering. The lack of any discrepancy makes it worse. Hate it.
Q4: 5.00 mins remaining: Melbourne 13.16 (94) v 10.8 (68) Carlton - Melbourne caress the ball nicely until Pickett has the opportunity of a chest mark 30m out, but he drops a soda. Marking looks an impossibility now, under lights. Weideman kindly proving my point, shelling a simple mark in front of his eyes.
Q4: 7.00 mins remaining: Melbourne 13.14 (92) v 10.8 (68) Carlton - There’s time at the death for Marc Murphy to engineer some space out the back of a stoppage and snap across his body for a splendid goal.
Q4: 8.00 mins remaining: Melbourne 13.14 (92) v 9.8 (62) Carlton -Clayton Oliver has grown into this match. As the conditions have worsened his work in tight has been vital for the Demons. He’s made a couple of handy assists on the outside too.
Q4: 9.00 mins remaining: Melbourne 13.14 (92) v 9.8 (62) Carlton - Pickett responds with some dancing feet and a snap through the big sticks, but the Demon immediately signals his shot was touched off the boot.
Q4: 9.30 mins remaining: Melbourne 13.13 (91) v 9.8 (62) Carlton - Gibbons gets one back.
Q4: 13.00 mins remaining: Melbourne 13.12 (90) v 8.8 (56) Carlton - The Blues should kick a consolation but they make a mess of the wet ball on the ground near the goalsquare. Melbourne’s defence remains alert, even with the game won.
Q4: 15.00 mins remaining: Melbourne 13.12 (90) v 8.8 (56) Carlton - Melbourne are dominating territory and possession, and when they lose control Carlton are soon robbed of the ball.
Q4: 17.00 mins remaining: Melbourne 13.9 (87) v 8.8 (56) Carlton - It’s going to be a messy old end to this one with tired bodies slogging away in the wet. Which suits Melbourne and their four goal lead. Actually, make that five. A dump inside 50 looks destined for the boundary but the Dees keep it alive with some sharp hands, Chandler especially, and Spargo profits.
Q4: 19.00 mins remaining: Melbourne 12.9 (81) v 8.8 (56) Carlton - Carlton get the first entry of the quarter and the leading McKay is awarded a free-kick in the marking contest, but he can’t find the distance with his shot.
3QT: Melbourne 12.9 (81) v 8.7 (55) Carlton
Melbourne have had the upper hand all day, and they continue to push towards their ninth consecutive victory.
Things Dees fans go crazy for:
— AFL (@AFL) May 16, 2021
Kozzzzzzzzzyyy #AFLDeesBlues pic.twitter.com/yg7cQRgkSA
Updated
Q3: 0.30 mins remaining: Melbourne 12.8 (80) v 8.7 (55) Carlton - Carlton are patient and precise in possession, until the entry inside-50, which Melbourne pick off with ease. That backline continues to excel.
Q3: 2.00 mins remaining: Melbourne 12.8 (80) v 8.6 (54) Carlton - McKay looks odds on to mark again in dangerous territory but Rivers does well to spoil and avoid the free-kick. Neal-Bullen controls the rebound, and after a long ball down the line clears the pack Pickett is in the right place at the right time to dribble home a beautiful arcing finish showing superb understanding of the bounce of the ball.
Q3: 4.00 mins remaining: Melbourne 11.7 (73) v 8.6 (54) Carlton - McKay again! The Blues piece together a neat attack through the corridor and the big forward leads with momentum and holds onto a strong contested mark with his hands out in front of his face. From just outside 50 he roosts a monster goal. What a performance he is turning in today. McKay now 3.0 from six disposals.
Q3: 5.00 mins remaining: Melbourne 11.7 (73) v 7.6 (48) Carlton - Hmmm, they’re good, but not perfect. Rivers has a brain fade and concedes a comical 50m penalty on McKay after thinking the ball was still alive, when in fact the whistle had blown for a mark. McKay continues to grind despite his dicky shoulder.
Q3: 6.00 mins remaining: Melbourne 11.7 (73) v 6.6 (42) Carlton - Carlton build nicely through Saad, then Stocker, then Docherty, then Walsh, but as soon as the ball goes forward there’s a Demon waiting to spoil or intercept, this time it’s Lever. The Melbourne backline has been outstanding today.
Q3: 7.30 mins remaining: Melbourne 11.7 (73) v 6.6 (42) Carlton - Petracca has decided he needs to step up so bullies his way into the game on a couple of occasions. From the second his centring ball finds Fritsch who snaps unerringly off his left boot. The Demons have this one in the bag.
Q3: 9.00 mins remaining: Melbourne 10.7 (67) v 6.6 (42) Carlton - Lever is penalised extraordinarily harshly for holding the ball in a maul but Owies can’t finish from 35m out with little angle against him. Melbourne use the kick-in to clear their lines and soon have a point of their own. The Blues cannot afford to miss opportunities like that.
Q3: 12 mins remaining: Melbourne 10.6 (66) v 6.5 (41) Carlton - The Sherrin has become a bar of soap and it’s being slapped and hustled up and down the MCG. Carlton see plenty of it for a minute or two, but they’re not clean, and this Melbourne backline is formidable.
Q3: 14 mins remaining: Melbourne 10.6 (66) v 6.5 (41) Carlton - Melbourne attack again and Fritsch does excellently to drill a low ball through to Brown. The key forward thinks about the set shot from 50m but instead he finds Pickett, who makes an absolute mess of a similar opportunity. Carlton struggle to clear their lines though and find themselves camped under pressure. It seems only a matter of time before the Dees score - and it is - Neal-Bullen finding space in traffic to chest mark, play on and dribble into the open goal.
It’s a long way back from here for Carlton.
Q3: 16 mins remaining: Melbourne 9.6 (60) v 6.5 (41) Carlton - Brayshaw should make it two in quick succession but he sprays wildly off his left foot after super work from McDonald and Brown. Brayshaw’s disposal efficiency has been woeful today.
Melbourne look dominant at the start of this half, led by Gawn, who is increasingly visible around the ground.
Q3: 17 mins remaining: Melbourne 9.6 (60) v 6.5 (41) Carlton - It’s a scrubby start to the half until Oliver and Salem work some space in midfield but Brown can’t mark under close attention from two Blues. The former Roo does well to keep the ball alive though and after a burst of magic from Pickett and some vision from Oliver, Langdon has a shooting opportunity 40m out in front. And he makes no mistake. That already looks a decisive lead in these conditions. Crucial first goal of the half to the Dees.
Q3: 19 mins remaining: Melbourne 8.6 (54) v 6.5 (41) Carlton - The rain has added another degree of difficulty to a match that was already lacking in fluency. Hard to imagine this half will be ripe with highlights.
The teams are back out for the second half. Can Melbourne finish the job, as rain falls on the MCG...
The half-time stats are very even, despite the match appearing to be played on Melbourne’s racket. The Blues have the edge in clearances, which is helping keep them in touch on the scoreboard, while Melbourne are dominating marks inside-50.
Tom McDonald is the standout individual with 3.0, and it’s been a handsome haul too. Sam Docherty’s 16 disposals is the best on ground.
HT: Melbourne 8.6 (54) v 6.5 (41) Carlton
The Demons remain on track for nine straight, but the Blues aren’t going to hand it to them.
Tom McDonald just dobs one from the boundary 👏#AFLDeesBlues pic.twitter.com/akW6TR5M39
— AFL (@AFL) May 16, 2021
Q2: 1.00 mins remaining: Melbourne 8.6 (54) v 6.5 (41) Carlton - Oliver does brilliantly, roving a stoppage on the left wing then centring to Hunt. In the long sleeves, rocking the headband, Melbourne’s flyer interrupts Carlton’s fightback.
Q2: 2.00 mins remaining: Melbourne 7.6 (48) v 6.5 (41) Carlton - The Blues are set up well though and Melbourne cannot clear. The ball comes straight back and McKay takes a strong grab, outmuscling Lever. That was brave from the big forward, clearly in pain with his sore shoulder. After a couple of big breaths he steadies, goes back, and kicks a crucial goal.
Q2: 3.00 mins remaining: Melbourne 7.6 (48) v 5.5 (35) Carlton - McKay continues to battle, and his mark just outside his own 50 sets up a Carlton rebound. It promises plenty, twice, but Fogarty then Betts fluff their lines in dangerous areas.
Q2: 5.00 mins remaining: Melbourne 7.5 (47) v 5.4 (34) Carlton - Carlton move the ball slowly to the edge of 50 with Plowman and Curnow prominent. The delivery to the hotspot is wanting through and Melbourne look ready to clear. They can’t get clean hands on the footy though and after a tussle at ground level Stocker snaps excellently in traffic to narrow the deficit.
Q2: 5.30 mins remaining: Melbourne 7.5 (47) v 4.4 (28) Carlton - A rushed behind and a speculative bomb add a couple more to Melbourne’s lead as the Demons suffocate the Blues inside their defensive half.
Q2: 7.30 mins remaining: Melbourne 7.3 (45) v 4.4 (28) Carlton - Manic forward pressure from Carlton has Melbourne’s backline in all sorts, but they stand up to it once, twice, and then on the third incursion Weideman marks, then immediately coughs up possession. The combination of Lever, May and Hibbered looks very effective indeed for the Dees.
Q2: 9.30 mins remaining: Melbourne 7.3 (45) v 4.4 (28) Carlton - McDonald bags another! Melbourne muscle the ball downfield with more grunt than silk, but then Pickett finds space and calmly chips the ball to McDonald on the run. The big forward takes his time, bounces, and kicks truly without breaking stride.
Q2: 11.00 mins remaining: Melbourne 6.3 (39) v 4.4 (28) Carlton - Spargo delivers to a pack in the right forward pocket and McDonald claws it in with his fingertips. From the boundary, the big swingman kicks a beautiful goal. Melbourne with some breathing space again.
Q2: 12.00 mins remaining: Melbourne 5.3 (33) v 4.4 (28) Carlton - Carlton slow the game down and piece a methodical attack, but it comes at a cost aw McKay re-injures his shoulder in a marking contest.
Q2: 14.30 mins remaining: Melbourne 5.3 (33) v 4.4 (28) Carlton - A feature of the match so far has been the number of holding-the-ball free-kicks paid against Melbourne. From the latest, on Petracca, Carlton move the ball quickly, and Casboult utilises the speed to engineer a 1-1 with Lever and the big forward clunks the mark, goes back and kicks the goal. Nice way to celebrate his 150th.
Q2: 15.00 mins remaining: Melbourne 5.3 (33) v 3.4 (22) Carlton - there’s absolute chaos as Carlton attack in the right forward pocket. Hibberd makes a mess of a clearance, leading to pinball, and Betts is all over it. He’s so dangerous in these situations and in a flash he snaps a left-footed effort that floats towards goal but Hunt just gets across to cover.
Q2: 16.30 mins remaining: Melbourne 5.3 (33) v 3.3 (21) Carlton - Melbourne slowly lump the ball forward, benefitting from a couple of frees and some good aerial contests. When the decisive kick is required the whistle blows for a 50m infringement for encroaching and Fritsch accepts the gift gleefully.
Harry McKay is out on the ground but he doesn’t look right, struggling to extend his injured shoulder. It might be a case of painkillers waiting to kick in, but it’s not ideal for the Blues.
Q2: 18 mins remaining: Melbourne 4.3 (27) v 3.3 (21) Carlton - Oh me oh my Owies. Carlton begin the quarter on the front foot and after Murphy centres the ball dangerously, Owies cannot dribble the ball through the unguarded posts from 10m.
On the rebound Melbourne again look threatening but Weideman can’t hold onto Petracca’s pass and a golden opportunity goes begging.
Elsewhere, Essendon came out on top of a tense arm wrestle with Fremantle at Marvel Stadium. The Dockers led for most of the third quarter, but it was the Bombers to came home stronger, winning 10.8 (68) v 8.13 (61).
Bad luck for the Blues with Cunningham forced out of the game in the opening seconds, but that’s why the medical substitute is a worthwhile initiative. Carlton will hope Harry McKay’s shoulder complaint is nothing serious.
QT: Melbourne 4.3 (27) v 3.2 (20) Carlton
Tom McDonald marks strongly and, after the siren, kicks a simple goal. It gives the Demons a seven-point quarter-time lead, and it’s the least they deserve after looking the classier of the two sides in the opening exchanges. Lever and May have been outstanding, Salem crucial in transition, and they have an abundance of targets up forward.
Clarry crumbs and converts 🌟#AFLDeesBlues pic.twitter.com/5AjnvHo6C9
— AFL (@AFL) May 16, 2021
Q1: 2.30 mins remaining: Melbourne 3.3 (21) v 3.1 (19) Carlton -Classic Melbourne circa 2021. The backline stands up superbly to a Carlton attack, then the rebound is blistering, led by Salem. He runs and bounces before launching a brilliant inside-50 that Neal-Bullen marks. He takes the safe option, kicking to a 2-on-1 near the goalsquare, and after two Demons make a mess of the marking contest, Oliver arrives on the burst front and square to crumb the goal.
McKay is back on the ground.
Q1: 4.00 mins remaining: Melbourne 2.3 (15) v 3.1 (19) Carlton - Melbourne hit back quickly. Neal-Bullen’s lead is honoured and he threads the needle with a long fading kick from just inside 50,
Q1: 4.30 mins remaining: Melbourne 1.3 (9) v 3.1 (19) Carlton -Marc Pittonet takes his career goal tally to three after his teammates engineer a 50m penalty for encroaching. The Dees only have themselves to blame for being behind.
Q1: 5.00 mins remaining: Melbourne 1.3 (9) v 2.1 (13) Carlton -Brayshaw takes consecutive intercept marks as the Blues fail to clear their lines. On both occasions his disposals are awful and Melbourne cannot capitalise. For all their good results the Dees still lack class with ball in hand coming out of midfield.
McKay returned to the bench, but is back in the rooms again.
Q1: 6.00 mins remaining: Melbourne 1.3 (9) v 2.1 (13) Carlton -Melbourne should hit the front but Gawn inexplicably interferes with a Brown chest mark. The ball has to go all the way back to the Melbourne goalline before it rebounds the best part of 100m to find another Brown lead, this time just inside 50. His long-range effort is fisted behind.
Big Harry McKay is in the rooms nursing a shoulder injury.
Q1: 8.30 mins remaining: Melbourne 1.2 (8) v 2.1 (13) Carlton - Melbourne are looking better set around the ground. May and Lever are dovetailing nicely, as per usual, and there’s plenty of hunger around the footy. But Carlton are committed and they’re denying the Dees clean footy going forward, tackling superbly, winning a series of holding-the-ball free-kicks.
Cuningham (knee) has been subbed out of the game for Michael Gibbons. #AFLDeesBlues
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) May 16, 2021
Q1: 11.30 mins remaining: Melbourne 1.2 (8) v 2.1 (13) Carlton -Melbourne are looking nifty in broken play with Petracca and Pickett both lively, but after the latter earns a free-kick for a high tackle in the left forward pocket the runaround snap set-shot is wayward.
Q1: 13.30 mins remaining: Melbourne 1.1 (7) v 2.1 (13) Carlton - Fortune favours the brave. Carlton are bold exiting defence with a superb switch into the corridor and it sets up an opportunity to hit Betts on the lead. He marks 40m out but can’t finish the move.
In return Melbourne restart play by hammering a huge drop punt up the guts and winning a succession of contested balls until Spargo has a shooting chance from deep in the right forward pocket. He hits the post.
Q1: 16.30 mins remaining: Melbourne 1.0 (6) v 2.0 (12) Carlton - Two in a minute for Carlton, and this one is vintage Eddie Betts. Melbourne look untroubled working their way out from the back in tight, but along comes the veteran to pick Hunt’s pocket and snap truly in the same movement.
Q1: 17.00 mins remaining: Melbourne 1.0 (6) v 1.0 (6) Carlton - An immediate response from Carlton. A free-kick at the centre bounce gives plenty of opportunity to hoist the ball forward and it sails all the way over the back for Owies to slam home.
The medical sub Gibbons looks set to replace Cunningham soon.
Q1: 17.30 mins remaining: Melbourne 1.0 (6) v 0.0 (0) Carlton - The best part of a minute unfolds before there’s a mark or a stoppage, during which time both sides go inside-50. Carlton finally settle the game down but Melbourne deal with the raid and have the first sight on goal courtesy of a superb entry from Brown to the advantage of Fritsch. He goes back and slots the set shot from 40m.
Meanwhile David Cunningham is in the hands of trainers after landing awkwardly in a marking contest. I’m afraid it doesn’t look good for him.
Opening bounce
Here we go...
Across town, the Dockers are leading the Dons by three points, early in the final quarter.
Now here come the Demons, led by skipper Max Gawn. Melbourne are in their traditional red and blue.
Ben Abbatangelo has entered the debate regarding the treatment and coverage of West Coast’s Willie Rioli.
Out stride Carlton in their all-white clash strip. They’re out onto a bitterly cold MCG, but it is dry and there’s little wind to speak of. Actually, just as I type that looking outside into the Melbourne sky, Jimmy Bartel informs viewers that there is a swirly wind in the middle of the G.
Updated
Scott Heinrich filed this piece last week about the Tigers, and it looked like Richmond were sliding to defeat again last night but they rallied to pip GWS at the post. It was one of a number of interesting results this round so far, including the Bulldogs raising further doubts about Port Adelaide’s flag credentials, and Geelong profiting from St Kilda’s eye-watering 5.17.
Every year Melbourne have won nine straight they’ve won the premiership. Ipso facto if the Dees win today they win the flag.
Brian Taylor is currently barrelling around the concourse of the MCG informing Melbourne fans of this stat, and their response? A collective shrug emoji. They are all too scarred to believe fate might finally be on their side.
Carlton XXIII
For the Blues, Jack Silvagni misses out through concussion, and Sam Petrevski-Seton and Jack Newnes have both been dropped.
In their places come former No 1 pick Marc Murphy, and former No 5 selection Will Setterfield. Nic Newman is also handed his first guernsey for 2021.
B: S.Docherty, L.Jones, L.Stocker
HB: A.Saad, J.Weitering, L.Plowman
C: M.Cottrell, P.Cripps, W.Setterfield
HF: D.Cunningham, L.Casboult, M.Murphy
FOLL: M.Pittonet, S.Walsh, Z.Williams
I/C: E.Curnow, L.Parks, N.Newman, M.Owies
Sub: M.Gibbons
IN: M.Murphy, N.Newman, W.Setterfield
OUT: S.Petrevski-Seton (omitted), J.Silvagni (injured), J.Newnes (omitted)
Melbourne XXIII
Sam Weideman makes his long-awaited return to Melbourne’s starting lineup today, with a finger injury to Luke Jackson providing an opening for the key forward to make his season debut. Weideman has been starring in the VFL awaiting his opportunity after being sidelined during preseason with a stress fracture to his leg.
B: M.Hibberd, S.May, J.Lever
HB: C.Salem, H.Petty, T.Rivers
C: A.Brayshaw, C.Petracca, E.Langdon
HF: J.Jordon, T.McDonald, A.Neal-Bullen
F: C.Spargo, B.Brown, B.Fritsch
FOLL: M.Gawn, C.Oliver, K.Pickett
I/C: J.Harmes, S.Weideman, J.Hunt, K.Chandler
Sub: J.Melksham
IN: S.Weideman
OUT: L.Jackson (injured)
Preamble
Hello everybody and welcome to live coverage of Melbourne v Carlton in round 9 of the AFL’s 2021 premiership season. The opening bounce at the MCG is scheduled for 3.20pm.
It’s a pretty straightforward narrative this afternoon. Melbourne are settled, confident, and unbeaten after eight rounds. On their home patch they will expect to continue their excellent run against a Carlton side that have been in every contest so far this campaign, but have only left with the points three times.
The Demons are flying, and after years of going to the draft they are finally reaping the rewards of a high-calibre playing list. Christian Petracca is the headline act and the 25-year-old, fresh from inking a bumper seven-year contract, is blossoming into the game-breaking talent required to elevate teams at the highest level. Just as importantly there’s depth, typified by Sam Weideman playing this afternoon for the first time this year after providing a compelling case for inclusion in the VFL.
The Blues are once again in limbo. There’s talent in abundance on the roster but results have not arrived, a familiar tale for Carlton in recent years. Consistent underachievement has led to turbulence at board level, while pressure is growing on David Teague with his win percentage as coach dipping year-on-year since inheriting the role as caretaker in 2019.
I’ll be back with the team lists in a little while. In the meantime, feel free to get involved below the line, or if you want to drop me an email, address it to jonathan.howcroft.casual@theguardian.com, while tweets can be directed to @JPHowcroft.
