|
Venue: AAMI Stadium | ||||||||||||||||||
| Date: Sun 8 June 2008, 4:10pm | Result: Won by 12 points | ||||||||||||||||||
| Umpires: T. Keating, B. Rosebury, M. Stevic | Crowd: 29,240 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Goalkickers: Kreuzer 3, Fevola 2, Gibbs, Armfield, Waite, Betts & Simpson 1. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Reports: Jordan Russell (Carlton) reported for forceful contact with Paul Stewart (Port Adelaide) | Injuries: Betts (ankle) | Ladder Position: | |||||||||||||||||
Game Review
Carlton and Port were both at 4 and 6 for this Sunday evening game at AAMI Stadium, sitting in 10th and 11th place respectively. We expected a good game, but came away with something that will stick in the memories for years.Initially, Port were more organised and efficient up forward, whilst the Blues struggled to get anything through the big sticks. Although Inside 50's were even through the game, Port could kick to advantage to forwards, whilst the Fev-conscious Blues couldn't isolate him amongst the swarm of Port defenders. We struggled and struggled, missing easy shots (although many under pressure), whilst Port could get the occasional goal, some from our own defensive errors (Murphy taking a kick in delivering perfectly to them 2 metres out, and a few errant handballs in defence creating turnovers). But only the most optimistic Blue - or one who had taken odds of up to $8 for a win during the week, could have expected the last quarter....
Some how the Blues turned a 30 point deficit into a 12 point win, through 7 brilliant goals to Port's nothing. Initially, it was a great pack mark to Matthew Kreuzer, who had been quiet but was switched up forward. Eddie Betts soccered a brilliant goal. Then a supreme Jarrad Waite pick up from a Motlop error, bounce and 60 metre shot went through. And then the game hit fever pitch - the Blues were supreme around the packs, with Marc Murphy and Chris Judd clearing the ball at will and great work at half forward saw Matthew Kreuzer score again and then Kade Simpson kick truly to put us in the lead. As the siren was about to sound Brendan Fevola kicked his second and somehow the Blues were up by 12 in an inspirational, fantastic and Blue-Dreaming victory.
Chris Judd was clearly best on ground while Marc Murphy also played a brilliant game, picking up a career-high 33 disposals. Bret Thornton also managed to beat his direct opponent, the in-form Daniel Motlop. Bryce Gibbs kept Port Adelaide star Chad Cornes very quiet while playing really good himself and kicking Carlton's first goal. Adam Bentick and Kade Simpson were also very good but the hero was no 1 draft pick Matthew Kreuzer, who kicked 3 goals in the last quarter to catapult the Blues to their first victory over Port Adelaide at Football Park since 2001.
It was not surprising that coach Brett Ratten was next to the two South Australians in the circle after the game when the Blues sang their theme song, for he had nominated Bryce Gibbs (for his role on Chad Cornes) as Carlton’s best on ground and thought his role was outstanding, while Jordan Russell, after being down in the first half, (when he couldn’t hit a target that resulted in two of Port’s goals during the 2nd quarter) and then his fight back in the second half and especially his effects in the last quarter was fantastic. Russell during the last quarter had 4 marks 4 handballs and 4 kicks, all of which hit their targets and most resulted in goals for Carlton, but it was his 1% effects that was the real eye opener, his spoils, sheppards, knock down or knock on to advantage and making a contests and putting his body on the line that really stood out. Even after Russell was reported for forceful contact to Port’s Stewart when Stewart dive on the ball and cannoned into to Russell when they were both going for the ball with 11 minutes of actual play to go, he didn’t go into his shell and kept on presenting at contests and his effects were telling, including his pass to Simpson to score the goal that put Carlton into the lead for the first time during the match with only 2 minutes to go.
Carlton was down by 30 points at the last break and ended up winning by 12 points. This is the most Carlton has been down at the last break and won and is also the 3rd time it has happened. The other occasions were Round 15, 1942 against Fitzroy at Brunswick Street when Carlton scored 10 goals 6 behinds to 3 goals 1 behind and in Round 4, 1944 against Essendon at Princes Park, when Carlton scored 6 goals 3 behinds to 3 points. Field umpire Morgan was the umpire in both these matches.
This was Carlton’s best comeback since the Round 2, 2005 game against Essendon when they were down by 40+ points during the 3rd quarter and were 28 points down at the last break and won by 4 points and they were down by 48 points against Essendon with 3 minutes of play to go in the 2nd quarter of the Round 3, 2007 match and scored 3 goals in those 3 mintues and ended up winning the match by 3 points. It was also the first time that they have won two interstate matches in a row since 2001 when they won in Round 1, 2001 against Fremantle at Subiaco and Round 12, 2001 against Port Adelaide at Football Park. Their only other win interstate since these matches was Round 11, 2004 against Adelaide at Football Park when Carlton was 25 down at the last change and won by 4 points.
This game is remembered fondly by Carlton fans, and is considered one of our best wins in the Home & Away rounds of the 2000's. For more games like this, please click here.
Teams
| B: | 44 Andrew Carrazzo | 17 Setanta Ó hAilpín | 32 Bret Thornton |
| HB: | 4 Bryce Gibbs | 30 Jarrad Waite | 27 Dennis Armfield |
| C: | 7 Adam Bentick | 5 Chris Judd (c) | 29 Heath Scotland |
| HF: | 2 Jordan Russell | 14 Brad Fisher | 3 Marc Murphy |
| F: | 19 Eddie Betts | 25 Brendan Fevola | 8 Matthew Kreuzer |
| Ruck: | 28 Cameron Cloke | 6 Kade Simpson | 24 Nick Stevens (vc) |
| Interchange: | 15 Steven Browne | 16 Shaun Grigg | 22 Shaun Hampson |
| 34 Simon Wiggins | |||
| Coach: | Brett Ratten | ||
| Emg: | 21 Mark Austin, 37 Jake Edwards, 36 Darren Pfeiffer | ||
Milestones
Rising Star Nominees: Matthew KreuzerInteresting Fact: This was Carlton's first win against Port Adelaide at Football Park since Round 12, 2001.
Score Records: This was the equal biggest deficit Carlton has ever come back from at three-quarter time, before being overtaken by a bigger comeback later in the year
Interesting Fact: This is the first time Carlton has won consecutive games in the alternate clash guernsey
Interesting Fact: This win, our 5th for the year, put Carlton out of range of a priority pick for the end of the season.
Brownlow Votes
3. Marc Murphy, Carlton2. Chris Judd, Carlton
1. Matthew Kreuzer, Carlton
Best and Fairest Votes
45 Chris Judd, 42 Marc Murphy, 39 Bryce Gibbs, 29 Bret Thornton, 25 Kade Simpson, 19 Setanta o’hAilpin, 11 Shaun Grigg, 9 Matthew Kreuzer, Jordan Russell, 8 Adam Bentick, 6 Andrew Carrazzo, 4 Simon WigginsVideo
The Ghost
The Ghost's Magnificent Seven
Seven magnificent goals in the last quarter transformed the game being played in Australia’s own ‘Meh-hico’, all Carlton lounge rooms into a rip-roaring, hog-swallowing Cantinas and this year into a possible blockbuster! Yes, yes one game does not a Maize crop grow but we’ve gone from beans to steak in the blinking of a bull’s eye.
It wasn’t just the goals that transformed the game though, or should I say, the goals came about because the players, all twenty-two of them lifted, put their bodies on the line, ran like road runners in the desert rather than slipping in the wet as had been their forte in the first half of the game, and hit more targets than Billy the Kid!
So lets put Port Power in the position of Calvera the evil Bandito, there were million of Port supporters, they owned the town, and their players (bad men in teal rather than black) had bushwhacked us for the first three quarters with our own players (in white of course!) playing the part of the traitorous villagers handing the town over to them.
To go against Calvera all twenty-two players lifted but there were seven, seven magnificent players who got us over the line, for no bounty, for nothing more than the four precious points.
Chris ( Yul Brynner) of course was played by our own fearless leader Chris Judd. The similarity might begin with the absence of hair but that is not where it ends: Fearless, but deadly in tight situations, both willing to contest to the end and never take a backward step.
Vin (Steve McQueen) our very own Bryce Gibbs. Quiet, methodical but never, never beaten by the Apache Broken Finger (Chad Cornes). In fact, Chad’s one piece of good work came about because he was not contesting against Bryce who won every other battle they had. A great game.
Bernardo O’Reilly (Charles Bronson) Played by Marc Murphy. Tough as nails, likes the hard stuff - when the going gets tough the tough gets going and Marc’s last quarter was a ripper. The only debate here was whether Marc was Charles Bronson or one of those reckless, fearless kids that led to Bronson’s chest of bullets.
Lee (Robert Vaughn) Played by Jordon Russell. In the first half JR’s two mistakes meant he must have wanted to play the coward and hide himself away, hands shaking, the gun no good, the aim gone. But, like Lee in the end, when the team needed him, JR forgot all about the shakes, lifted his head and went for it, and what a last quarter he gave us. If Custer had have had JR there would have been no Custer’s Last Stand but Sitting Bull’s Rout instead! Well played JR, flashy, full of courage and physical commitment. JR is fast becoming a favourite of mine. He cops a lot of stick from supporters but the lad never stops running.
Britt (James Coburn) played by Kruiserrrr! Britt had a knife, fast as any broken treaty, cut you to the quick, and The Kruise put Port to the sword! 3 goals, a great goal square grab and he should have had a fourth but it’s a long way down to the ground (it seemed he was trying to reach the ball from a horse). The kid is an up and comer, star quality all over him.
Chico (Horst Buckholz). In the movie Chico was a kid who had no place riding with the gunslingers. He came from another land, knew nothing about their ways but in the end Chico proved his worth. When the heat was on, Chico just loved being in the kitchen and a certain Meh-Hico lass (but that’s another story – which Hollywood of course went and made – see the Return of the Magnificent Seven). On Sunday evening Chico was played by the big Irishman, Setanta. He was brilliant all evening, repelling again and again the advances of Calvera and his men.
Finally we come to the seventh man, to Harry Luck, a man there for all the wrong reasons, a man given to his own personal wealth (i.e. full forward goal kicking machine.) Fev looked all at sea, out of sorts, a white man looking for a corner in a tepee. But Fev is much, more these days than just a full-forward. He is a leader. Just as Harry, when the chips were down, rode in to save Chris so, too, Fev played a different role. He led the Port backmen away from the hole and let the Kruise have the space necessary to deliver the killing blows.
There were others of course, AB who just tackled and worked all night, Simmo’s run and that goal to put us in front, Waitey cutting through the centre like a hot knife through butter, T-Bird obliterating Motlop and so on. In the end everyone played their part. Even me and Keith on the couch, riding every bump, jumping up at each goal and screaming at every umpire non-decision – Fev has no Harry Luck when it comes to arms being chopped, getting held, etc etc etc….Who writes his damn script?
So this week we take on the black and white bars, the cakewalk (re keystone) cops, the butcher to our Sundance, the horse to our cavalry. Oh we will do them all right. We will do them like the North did the South. This will be our Gettysburg address and the streets of Collingwood will weep at our return!
Fev for seven
JR for BOG
and the Bluebaggers to make it two from two against the old enemy this year!
Go Blues!
It wasn’t just the goals that transformed the game though, or should I say, the goals came about because the players, all twenty-two of them lifted, put their bodies on the line, ran like road runners in the desert rather than slipping in the wet as had been their forte in the first half of the game, and hit more targets than Billy the Kid!
So lets put Port Power in the position of Calvera the evil Bandito, there were million of Port supporters, they owned the town, and their players (bad men in teal rather than black) had bushwhacked us for the first three quarters with our own players (in white of course!) playing the part of the traitorous villagers handing the town over to them.
To go against Calvera all twenty-two players lifted but there were seven, seven magnificent players who got us over the line, for no bounty, for nothing more than the four precious points.
Chris ( Yul Brynner) of course was played by our own fearless leader Chris Judd. The similarity might begin with the absence of hair but that is not where it ends: Fearless, but deadly in tight situations, both willing to contest to the end and never take a backward step.
Vin (Steve McQueen) our very own Bryce Gibbs. Quiet, methodical but never, never beaten by the Apache Broken Finger (Chad Cornes). In fact, Chad’s one piece of good work came about because he was not contesting against Bryce who won every other battle they had. A great game.
Bernardo O’Reilly (Charles Bronson) Played by Marc Murphy. Tough as nails, likes the hard stuff - when the going gets tough the tough gets going and Marc’s last quarter was a ripper. The only debate here was whether Marc was Charles Bronson or one of those reckless, fearless kids that led to Bronson’s chest of bullets.
Lee (Robert Vaughn) Played by Jordon Russell. In the first half JR’s two mistakes meant he must have wanted to play the coward and hide himself away, hands shaking, the gun no good, the aim gone. But, like Lee in the end, when the team needed him, JR forgot all about the shakes, lifted his head and went for it, and what a last quarter he gave us. If Custer had have had JR there would have been no Custer’s Last Stand but Sitting Bull’s Rout instead! Well played JR, flashy, full of courage and physical commitment. JR is fast becoming a favourite of mine. He cops a lot of stick from supporters but the lad never stops running.
Britt (James Coburn) played by Kruiserrrr! Britt had a knife, fast as any broken treaty, cut you to the quick, and The Kruise put Port to the sword! 3 goals, a great goal square grab and he should have had a fourth but it’s a long way down to the ground (it seemed he was trying to reach the ball from a horse). The kid is an up and comer, star quality all over him.
Chico (Horst Buckholz). In the movie Chico was a kid who had no place riding with the gunslingers. He came from another land, knew nothing about their ways but in the end Chico proved his worth. When the heat was on, Chico just loved being in the kitchen and a certain Meh-Hico lass (but that’s another story – which Hollywood of course went and made – see the Return of the Magnificent Seven). On Sunday evening Chico was played by the big Irishman, Setanta. He was brilliant all evening, repelling again and again the advances of Calvera and his men.
Finally we come to the seventh man, to Harry Luck, a man there for all the wrong reasons, a man given to his own personal wealth (i.e. full forward goal kicking machine.) Fev looked all at sea, out of sorts, a white man looking for a corner in a tepee. But Fev is much, more these days than just a full-forward. He is a leader. Just as Harry, when the chips were down, rode in to save Chris so, too, Fev played a different role. He led the Port backmen away from the hole and let the Kruise have the space necessary to deliver the killing blows.
There were others of course, AB who just tackled and worked all night, Simmo’s run and that goal to put us in front, Waitey cutting through the centre like a hot knife through butter, T-Bird obliterating Motlop and so on. In the end everyone played their part. Even me and Keith on the couch, riding every bump, jumping up at each goal and screaming at every umpire non-decision – Fev has no Harry Luck when it comes to arms being chopped, getting held, etc etc etc….Who writes his damn script?
So this week we take on the black and white bars, the cakewalk (re keystone) cops, the butcher to our Sundance, the horse to our cavalry. Oh we will do them all right. We will do them like the North did the South. This will be our Gettysburg address and the streets of Collingwood will weep at our return!
Fev for seven
JR for BOG
and the Bluebaggers to make it two from two against the old enemy this year!
Go Blues!
Mike and Dan
Play of the Week: Shaun Grigg
n the excitement of Carlton’s remarkable comeback against Port Adelaide, the importance of the one percenters and desperate acts should not be underestimated. The Blues’ attack on the ball and willingness to put bodies on the line enabled the avalanche of goals in the frantic finish. Shaun Grigg wins Mike and Dan’s Play of the Week for his selfless dive and knock out of the contested ball in between three Port Adelaide players, which led to one of Kreuzer’s crucial last quarter goals.
1. Shaun, in amongst all the glam and gloss of the big last quarter goals on Sunday, you’ve been picked as our Play of the Week for that dive and knock-out of the contested ball in the last quarter. Did you see Stevo on the other side of the pack?
Yeah I saw a white jumper and thought I might be a chance to get it over to Stevo. I’ve been really concentrating on getting to the contest and putting my body in, and been working with Mark Riley and Gavin Crossisca on that aspect of my game.
2. You primarily played in attack this week, but you've spent most of the year down back. What was the thinking behind the shift?
I had a run-with role on Peter Burgoyne in the weekend’s game. One of my strengths is my versatility, and I’ve been playing wing and run with roles down back as well as a bit of time up forward. I like playing half back and on the wing, but am happy to get a game in any position. I want to stay in the team, build myself up into a regular player and continue to make a contribution on the field.
3. What did the group focus on during the 4 minute break in the last quarter?
We just focused on keeping up the momentum and to take our opportunities. We had beaten Port Adelaide in the pre season and knew that if we continued to put the pressure on them and kicked long into the forward line that we could give ourselves a chance.
4. We haven't played too well away from home in the past couple of years, but this year we're 2 for 2. In both games we've had big last quarters to win.
That’s a good point, it has been a big focus for us to play well and finish well no matter where we are playing. The past is the past and we just need to look to the future and play consistent footy at home and away.
5. Why didn't Armfield get to sing the song in the circle after his first win? Did you all just get swept away with the win?
Yeah he said that after the game. He might have been a bit shy to jump in, usually the blokes who have played their first win for the club get in the circle. Hopefully he will get another opportunity next week!
6. Is Captain Chris Judd outspoken at times like this, or is he more a ‘Do what I do’ type leader?
He has a great voice during the game, and he leads by example in the things he does on the field and the way he carries himself. He is great leader to have around the club.
7. We think you’re the first lefty we’ve had who slices rather than hooks since Scott Freeborn. What’s that about – is that just you adjusting to AFL football or have you always done that?
I am generally a hook foot but there’s only a couple of other lefties to compare to, Simmo and Lochie Hill. We left footers tend to do things a bit differently!
8. The last time we interviewed you, you mentioned that you and Bryce Gibbs were going to celebrate goals with the ‘Up and Down Potato’. We haven’t seen it yet!
9. You may not have heard, but footy commentators seem to get you and Bower mixed up despite his massive tattoo. Can you think of anything at all that you and Bower do alike?
I can’t think for the life of me why they would get us confused. We don’t look similar at all!
10. In a similar position to the Blues, the Redan Lions are just outside the final six in the Ballarat league. Do you keep an eye on and stay in contact with your junior club?
I like to keep an eye on them, and my brother still plays there. Redan were a powerhouse in the league there, and hopefully they can sneak into the finals this year. I wanted to see a game there during the Community Week recently but they had a bye unfortunately.
11. You have a big game this week against a Collingwood side we surprised early this year. Does your preparation change for such a big game against our traditional rivals?
No change at all, we are having a normal week on the track and our preparation is similar. It will be a big crowd, I am not too sure who I will get this week as we haven’t had our team meeting to discuss it.
12. There was a rumour going around that you may have switched to Guernsey 12 over the summer – was there anything in that?
Matty Lappin asked me to wear his number 12 guernsey before the season started, but the club wanted to respect the contribution he had made to Carlton over such a long period and retire the guernsey for a year.
13. Do you still live with Sam Jacobs and Michael Jamison? Anything you want to tell us about the arrangements you have there?
We still live together but I can tell you that since the last interview, we are getting better at the cooking and cleaning. We don’t get any lessons on cooking, but the club nutritionist Jo is always in our ear about the food we eat so we are improving in the kitchen!
After injury curtailed his introduction to senior football in his debut 2007 season, Shaun Grigg has now played 8 consecutive senior games and is pushing to be an automatic selection in Carlton’s starting eighteen. The versatile young utility is starting to accumulate possessions in both defensive and attacking roles and becoming increasingly damaging with his disposal. His attack on the contested ball was a feature of his game against Port Adelaide, and the Carlton coaching staff and supporters alike are watching intently his development into a regular senior player.
1. Shaun, in amongst all the glam and gloss of the big last quarter goals on Sunday, you’ve been picked as our Play of the Week for that dive and knock-out of the contested ball in the last quarter. Did you see Stevo on the other side of the pack?
Yeah I saw a white jumper and thought I might be a chance to get it over to Stevo. I’ve been really concentrating on getting to the contest and putting my body in, and been working with Mark Riley and Gavin Crossisca on that aspect of my game.
2. You primarily played in attack this week, but you've spent most of the year down back. What was the thinking behind the shift?
I had a run-with role on Peter Burgoyne in the weekend’s game. One of my strengths is my versatility, and I’ve been playing wing and run with roles down back as well as a bit of time up forward. I like playing half back and on the wing, but am happy to get a game in any position. I want to stay in the team, build myself up into a regular player and continue to make a contribution on the field.
3. What did the group focus on during the 4 minute break in the last quarter?
We just focused on keeping up the momentum and to take our opportunities. We had beaten Port Adelaide in the pre season and knew that if we continued to put the pressure on them and kicked long into the forward line that we could give ourselves a chance.
4. We haven't played too well away from home in the past couple of years, but this year we're 2 for 2. In both games we've had big last quarters to win.
That’s a good point, it has been a big focus for us to play well and finish well no matter where we are playing. The past is the past and we just need to look to the future and play consistent footy at home and away.
5. Why didn't Armfield get to sing the song in the circle after his first win? Did you all just get swept away with the win?
Yeah he said that after the game. He might have been a bit shy to jump in, usually the blokes who have played their first win for the club get in the circle. Hopefully he will get another opportunity next week!
6. Is Captain Chris Judd outspoken at times like this, or is he more a ‘Do what I do’ type leader?
He has a great voice during the game, and he leads by example in the things he does on the field and the way he carries himself. He is great leader to have around the club.
7. We think you’re the first lefty we’ve had who slices rather than hooks since Scott Freeborn. What’s that about – is that just you adjusting to AFL football or have you always done that?
I am generally a hook foot but there’s only a couple of other lefties to compare to, Simmo and Lochie Hill. We left footers tend to do things a bit differently!
8. The last time we interviewed you, you mentioned that you and Bryce Gibbs were going to celebrate goals with the ‘Up and Down Potato’. We haven’t seen it yet!
- laughs* That’s because Gibbsy doesn’t score too many goals! When he gets his next goal we might do the ‘Up and Down Potato’.
9. You may not have heard, but footy commentators seem to get you and Bower mixed up despite his massive tattoo. Can you think of anything at all that you and Bower do alike?
I can’t think for the life of me why they would get us confused. We don’t look similar at all!
10. In a similar position to the Blues, the Redan Lions are just outside the final six in the Ballarat league. Do you keep an eye on and stay in contact with your junior club?
I like to keep an eye on them, and my brother still plays there. Redan were a powerhouse in the league there, and hopefully they can sneak into the finals this year. I wanted to see a game there during the Community Week recently but they had a bye unfortunately.
11. You have a big game this week against a Collingwood side we surprised early this year. Does your preparation change for such a big game against our traditional rivals?
No change at all, we are having a normal week on the track and our preparation is similar. It will be a big crowd, I am not too sure who I will get this week as we haven’t had our team meeting to discuss it.
12. There was a rumour going around that you may have switched to Guernsey 12 over the summer – was there anything in that?
Matty Lappin asked me to wear his number 12 guernsey before the season started, but the club wanted to respect the contribution he had made to Carlton over such a long period and retire the guernsey for a year.
13. Do you still live with Sam Jacobs and Michael Jamison? Anything you want to tell us about the arrangements you have there?
We still live together but I can tell you that since the last interview, we are getting better at the cooking and cleaning. We don’t get any lessons on cooking, but the club nutritionist Jo is always in our ear about the food we eat so we are improving in the kitchen!
After injury curtailed his introduction to senior football in his debut 2007 season, Shaun Grigg has now played 8 consecutive senior games and is pushing to be an automatic selection in Carlton’s starting eighteen. The versatile young utility is starting to accumulate possessions in both defensive and attacking roles and becoming increasingly damaging with his disposal. His attack on the contested ball was a feature of his game against Port Adelaide, and the Carlton coaching staff and supporters alike are watching intently his development into a regular senior player.
Round 10 | Round 12