Round 17, 2020

Carlton 0.2 2 1.3 9 4.5 29 8.8 56 Adelaide Crows 5.3 33 8.5 53 8.8 56 10.12 72
Venue:	Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast QLD.
Date:	Sunday 13th September, 2020 (1.05 pm).
Result:	Lost by 16 points.
Crowd:	2,735 COVID-19 restricted
Goalkickers:	H. McKay 4.1, W. Setterfield 1.0, P. Cripps 1.1, M. McGovern 1.0, L. O'Brien 1.0, E. Betts 0.2, Z. Fisher 0.1, L. Casboult 0.1, L. Plowman 0.1, D. Cunningham 0.1.
Reports:	Nil.
Umpires:	Eleni Glouftsis, Justin Power, Alex Whetton.
Injuries:	S. Docherty (calf), Z. Fisher (shoulder).
Ladder:	12th

Game Review

Disappointing Blues fall short against the Crows in upset. - Marni Olsson-Young, Carlton Media.
Carlton fell 16 points short to Adelaide at Metricon Stadium on Sunday afternoon. A late comeback left wanting. Carlton fell 16 points short to Adelaide at Metricon Stadium on Sunday afternoon after a goalless start to the Round 17 clash. Despite strong efforts from Harry McKay inside 50 in the second half, the Blues left their fightback too late to claim to four points over the determined Crows.

Q1 breakdown: It was almost a fairy-tale start for the Blues at Metricon Stadium: within seconds of the opening siren Eddie Betts went for his signature snap against his former side. But the post had other plans, and it was the Crows with the first major of the day. It kicked off a dominant first half from Adelaide, the South Australians controlling the play through the centre and in their forward half. The Blues were kept scoreless in the opening term and took a 31-point deficit into the second quarter.

Q2 breakdown: Carlton needed a steadying second quarter if they were to stem Adelaide’s first term attack. A goal from Will Setterfield showed Bluebaggers positive signs, but Adelaide continued to pile on the pressure. Despite evening the clearance count as the quarter wore on, it was the Crows that were able to capitalise inside 50. Sam Walsh was Carlton’s top ball-winner in the first half, but his 11 disposals did little to stem a 44-point deficit heading into the main break.

Q3 breakdown: Carlton instilled some hope in supporters watching on with their third-quarter efforts. Knowing they would need to cut the margin to have a chance at a late comeback, the Blues set to work - cutting the inside 50 differential and giving the forwards more opportunities to win the contest. Harry McKay dominated in Carlton’s forward half, nabbing two goals for the quarter to give the team some hope. But it was a true captain's goal from Patrick Cripps that left Bluebaggers with a glimmer of hope heading into the final term.

Q4 breakdown: The Blues looked a determined side when they ran out in the final quarter, the four points in reach for the first time that afternoon. Carlton capitalised on a stabilising third quarter, with Harry McKay again making his presence felt inside 50: another two goals to the tall saw him finish the day on four majors. Despite late efforts from Mitch McGovern and Lochie O'Brien, the deficit proved insurmountable. In the end, the Crows stuck fat and finished with a 16-point victory.

With four goals Harry McKay was a standout for Carlton in attack, while Sam Walsh (22 disposals) and Patrick Cripps, who kicked an amazing team-lifting goal in the third term, were also solid. But the Blues, who lost co-captain Sam Docherty to a calf injury in the first quarter, will rue the defeat when so much was on the line.

Moment of the match: A true mark of respect and a true display of friendship. Much loved former Blue Bryce Gibbs played in his final game on Sunday afternoon, having announced his retirement from the game earlier in the week. With many of his closest friends still donning the Navy Blue, veterans Kade Simpson and Marc Murphy made sure they honoured their former teammate, chairing Gibbs from the field to the applause of Carlton and Adelaide fans alike. It will be a memory that will surely stay with Gibbs for many years to come.

Three things from the game:
1. When Harry McKay is on inside 50, the Blues are on. The tall forward proved an integral part of fight-back efforts with his sure marking and strength in a one-on-one contest. He finished the day Carlton's best with six marks and four goals.
2. Sam Walsh is leading from the front in 2020. It's hard to believe it's only his second year of senior football with his confidence through the centre and his ability to rack up possessions. Walsh finished the day with a team-high 22 disposals.
3. Youth is taking over at the centre bounce. With much-loved Carlton veteran Matthew Kreuzer announcing his retirement during the week, Tom De Koning is making his case for a consistent ruck role.

Best: H. McKay, S. Walsh, W. Setterfield, P. Cripps, M. Gibbons.

Family Links; Adelaide players Lachlan Sholl (the son of ex Carlton player Brett) scored his first 2 League goals in his in 7th League game and Jordon Butts (the son of ex Carlton player of ex Carlton player Gerard) played his 2nd League game .

Team

B:	20 Lachie Plowman	14 Liam Jones	6 Kade Simpson
HB:	15 Sam Docherty (c)	23 Jacob Weitering	5 Sam Petrevski-Seton
C:	3 Marc Murphy	9 Patrick Cripps (c)	4 Lochie O'Brien
HF:	32 Jack Newnes	41 Levi Casboult	40 Michael Gibbons
F:	10 Harry McKay	11 Mitch McGovern	19 Eddie Betts
Ruck:	12 Tom De Koning	18 Sam Walsh	35 Ed Curnow
Interchange:	25 Zac Fisher	28 David Cuningham	31 Tom Williamson
	43 Will Setterfield
Coach:	David Teague
Emg:	27 Marc Pittonet, 29 Cameron Polson, 44 Matt Owies, 46 Matthew Cottrell

In: Eddie Betts, Lochie O'Brien, Michael Gibbons
Out: Jack Martin (calf), Matt Owies (omittted), Matthew Cottrell (omitted)

Milestones

Last Game (AFL): Bryce Gibbs
Interesting Fact: Harry McKay equaled his highest goal tally of 4 goals, this was the third time he has done this in a game.

AFLCA Votes

9 - Lachlan Sholl (ADEL)
9 - Rory Laird (ADEL)
4 - Matt Crouch (ADEL)
3 - Harry Schoenberg (ADEL)
2 - Harry McKay (CARL)
2 - Tom Lynch (ADEL)
1 - Bryce Gibbs (ADEL)

Brownlow Votes

3. Lachlan Sholl (Adelaide)
2. Harry McKay
1. Rory Laird (Adelaide)

Best and Fairest Votes

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Round 16 | Round 18