Previously winless Carlton has caused the biggest upset in exactly one week with a shock 2-point win over Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.
The Blues put their record of poor first terms behind them to hand the Cats their first loss at home since round 4 last year and Carlton’s first win at the Cattery since 1996.
Geelong mounted a late charge and kept the Blues goalless in the final term but couldn’t do enough to snatch victory.
Their task was made even more difficult with just 21 fit players following the loss of Luke Dahlhaus to concussion late in the first term.
Carlton co-captain Patrick Cripps was sublime, collecting 23 disposals and slotting two goals on the way to victory.
Here’s everything you need to know!
The Talking Point: Carlton and first quarters
Carlton’s poor first quarter performances has been one of the week’s hot topics. Both Richmond in round 1 and Melbourne in round 2 enjoyed five goal leads at quarter time. The Blues did exceptionally well to swing the momentum in the following quarters of those matches, but the mountain was just too high to climb.
Tonight, Carlton came out like a team that had been listening to the criticism, determined to make amends for past mistakes. Eddie Betts put them on the board within 50 seconds and from there it was all navy blue. Former skipper Marc Murphy and whipping boys Levi Casboult and Mitch McGovern all added majors to give Carlton a four-goal lead at the first break and the confidence to go on with the match.
The Blues also gained valuable experience by holding on and winning a tight one, after last week losing a close one. This will hold them in good stead as the team continues to develop and potentially push for finals in the coming years.
Weitering’s coming of age
Mt Martha junior Jacob Weitering’s first three games of the season have been All Australian standard. Matching up so far in 2020 on the three Tom’s of Lynch, McDonald and Hawkins, the 2015 number 1 draft pick has conceded only two goals. While a mainstay in Carlton’s line-up since his debut year, Weitering struggled for consistency until the appointment of David Teague late last year and ever since then he has blossomed into the player he was touted to become pre-draft. The return of Sam Docherty to the Blues backline means Carlton now have two genuine elite defenders, and both played their part in helping the side hold on to the four points.
What’s next?
Geelong travel to the MCG to take on Melbourne next Sunday afternoon. Carlton are scheduled to face Essendon at the MCG on Saturday night, although the Conor McKenna COVID-19 developments may result in a change to the fixture.
Full Score
Geelong: 1.2 / 4.6 / 6.7 / 11.11 (77)
Carlton: 5.3 / 9.5 / 12.6 / 12.7 (79)
BEST
Geelong: Duncan, Dangerfield, Guthrie, Tuohy, Selwood
Carlton: Cripps, Docherty, Gibbons, Martin, Pittonet
Reports: Nil
Injuries: Dahlhaus (concussion)