AFL 2021 round 17: Geelong scrap past wasteful Carlton – as it happened
Carlton #Carlton
5.12am EDT 05:12
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.
5.02am EDT 05:02
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.
5.01am EDT 05:01
Q4: 0.30 min remaining: Carlton 5.14 (44) v 10.10 (70) Geelong – Higgins misses with the final attacking shot of the game.
5.00am EDT 05:00
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.
4.58am EDT 04:58
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.
4.56am EDT 04:56
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.
4.55am EDT 04:55
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.
4.50am EDT 04:50
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.
4.46am EDT 04:46
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.
4.45am EDT 04:45
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.
4.41am EDT 04:41
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?
4.38am EDT 04:38
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.
4.35am EDT 04:35
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
4.34am EDT 04:34
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.
4.25am EDT 04:25
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.
4.22am EDT 04:22
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.
4.20am EDT 04:20
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.
4.18am EDT 04:18
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.
4.16am EDT 04:16
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!
4.12am EDT 04:12
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.
4.10am EDT 04:10
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.
4.07am EDT 04:07
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.
4.06am EDT 04:06
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.
4.04am EDT 04:04
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.
4.02am EDT 04:02
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.
4.01am EDT 04:01
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!
4.00am EDT 04:00
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.
3.58am EDT 03:58
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.
3.56am EDT 03:56
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.
3.55am EDT 03:55
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.
3.35am EDT 03:35
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.
3.34am EDT 03:34
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.
3.32am EDT 03:32
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.
3.31am EDT 03:31
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.
3.30am EDT 03:30
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.
3.27am EDT 03:27
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.
3.25am EDT 03:25
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.
3.23am EDT 03:23
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.
3.19am EDT 03:19
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.