Round 20, 2024

Carlton 1.4 10 8.6 54 9.8 62 9.11 65 Port Adelaide 2.2 14 4.5 29 7.10 52 11.13 79
Venue:	Marvel Stadium
Date:	Friday 26 July 2024 (7.40 pm).
Result:	Lost by 14 points.
Crowd:	40,500
Goalkickers:	C. Curnow 3.1, M. Kennedy 2.2, M. Cottrell 1.1, L. Young 1.0, J. Motlop 1.0, M. Owies 1.0, N. Newman 0.1, M. McGovern 0.1, E. Hollands 0.1, G. Hewett 0.1, L. Fogarty 0.1, Rushed 0.2.
Reports:	P. Cripps - careless conduct with an umpire (first offence), fixed financial sanction of $1875, reduced to $1250 with an early plea. A. Cerra - careless conduct with an umpire (second offence), fixed financial sanction of $3125, reduced to $1875 with an early plea. G. Hewett - careless conduct with an umpire (second offence), fixed financial sanction of $3125, reduced to $1875 with an early plea. W. Drew (Port) - careless conduct with an umpire (first offence), fixed financial sanction of $1875, reduced to $1250 with an early plea.
Umpires:	Jamie Broadbent, Nathan Williamson, Cameron Dore, Jacob Mollison.
Injuries:	D. Cuningham (left shoulder).
Ladder:	4th

Game Review

Blues fall to Power

Carlton has fallen by 14 points to Marvel Stadium. - By Cristian Filippo, Carlton Media.

Carlton has fallen by 14 points to Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium. Despite a blistering second quarter which yielded seven goals, the Blues were overrun in the second half in the 9.11 (65) to 11.13 (79) defeat. Charlie Curnow kicked three first-half goals, but were unable to arrest a final-quarter slide after leading for the majority of the contest.

Quarter one
Now in the pointy end of the season, the two teams had an up-and-back opening term, with players from both sides making early turnovers. Mitch McGovern was a welcome addition after a fortnight out with a hip flexor injury, finding Charlie Curnow for his first of the night. After Harry McKay’s late exclusion from the line-up, it was Lewis Young who was the second tall forward and provided ruck relief, while Alex Cincotta resumed hostilities with Zak Butters, keeping the danger man to three disposals in the opening term. While the Blues weren’t without their opportunities, they failed to capitalise outside of Curnow’s solitary goal, only able to manage four consecutive behinds despite forcing their oppositions to mistakes in the Blues’ forward half. Elijah Hollands was doing everything in his power to assist the Blues as the hot hand in the opening term, amassing 11 disposals, four score involvements and a goal-saving rundown tackle. However, despite that effort and a crucial one-on-one win from Jacob Weitering against the zippy Jason Horne-Francis, the Blues weren’t able to capitalise on their early territory, with Port getting the upper hand at stoppages and kicking the final two goals of the term to take a two-point lead into the first break. The Blues were forced into an early change with Jack Carroll subbed into the game for David Cuningham (dislocated shoulder).

Quarter two
In the win last week over North Melbourne, Carlton rued its inability o put pressure on throughout the second term — there would be no repeat of that in the corresponding quarter this weekend. After Matthew Kennedy’s early goal was cancelled out by Mitch Georgiades, the Blues were straight on the offensive, overwhelming Port Adelaide to surge ahead. In McKay’s absence, Young won a free kick and converted his second goal in the Navy Blue, kickstarting a run of six straight majors for the Blues in front of the Carlton Cheersquad. Curnow was clearly the danger man and providing all sorts of headaches for Port’s defenders, kicking three first-half goals as the Blues’ main focal point. He wasn’t alone, with the Blues’ small forwards getting to work, as Matthew Cottrell, Jesse Motlop and Matthew Owies all converted as Carlton undid its misses from the opening term. Sam Walsh well and truly got going with 16 first-half disposals to go with seven tackles, while the Blues’ defenders did well to stand up as Port wasn’t without its opportunities. A late goal to the away side drew the margin back to 25 at the main break.

Quarter three
It was a goalless first 15 minutes to start the third quarter at Marvel Stadium, with the ball living inside the Blues’ defensive half but they were able to hold on. Lachie Cowan in particular rose to the occasion, with the second-year Blue producing some crucial one-on-one moments to deny his opponent with the Power pressing. Inside the first 10 minutes, 75 per cent of the play was in Port’s forward half, but the Blues were able to respond and start to generate shots on goal. Curnow had a tough chance at his fourth, but could only hit the post from deep in the pocket, and from the resulting kick-out Darcy Byrne-Jones goaled to bring the margin back within three kicks. Kennedy responded with a sensational overhead mark and true set shot to re-establish the Blues’ buffer deep into the term, but they were under pressure, with Port getting field position off the back of winning clearances 15-6. Another two late goals had the margin back to 10 points, the closest the away side had been since early in the second term.

Quarter four
In a reverse of the last time these two sides met, Port Adelaide had the dominance around the ball, continuing to punish Carlton from clearances. After the Blues capitalised off turnover in the first half, the Power also managed to reverse that, ultimately hitting the lead seven minutes into the quarter when Jackson Mead converted from a free kick. Coming off a five-day break, the Blues pushed to get back in the game, but could only manage behinds through George Hewett, Elijah Hollands and Matthew Kennedy which allowed Port to maintain the lead. Jason Horne-Francis dealt the hammer blow after the Blues’ string of behinds, with another late major following a lengthy goal review seeing the Blues fall by 14 points under the roof.

Power charge past Blues to boost top-four chances

The Power have produced a big second half to get past the Blues - By Gemma Bastiani at Marvel Stadium

Port Adelaide has surged into the top four with a come-from-behind 14-point win over Carlton at Marvel Stadium. Down by 31 points in the second quarter, the Power gritted their teeth and got to work, holding the Blues to just one goal in the second half to record the 11.13 (79) to 9.11 (65) win on Friday night. A seven-goal second quarter had the Blues in the box seat, before the Power hit back in the second half, chipping away at the deficit slowly but surely, and holding Carlton to its equal-lowest score of the season. When life was tough for the Power, Mitch Georgiades (three goals) was the lone hand in the resistance, before the likes of Willem Drew (22 disposals, 12 tackles) and Connor Rozee (24 disposals, six inside 50s) came to the party.

Carlton's willingness to turn up the heat had the second-placed side up and about early. Desperate defensive running was a feature for the home team, while over-possessing the footy was Port Adelaide's theme as a result. Sam Walsh showed off how much he loves facing the Power, backing up his 34-disposal, 13-tackle performance back in round 12 with another 23 disposals and 11 tackles. Meanwhile, Charlie Curnow (three goals, 19 disposals) was a star in attack, even without Harry McKay by his side due to illness. In the opening half, too often was young gun Jason Horne-Francis (23 disposals, one goal) determined to take on the world alone, regularly attempting to break through the clamps of multiple Blues and getting caught cold. But he persisted, growing in importance as the game wore on. Where poor conversion let the Power down when they met Carlton back in round 12, it seemed early that it had shaken off their worries in front of goal. Two stunning set shots to open their scoring off the boots of Esava Ratugolea and Georgiades suggested an improvement in front of the big sticks, but it wasn't to be as they went on to kick just nine goals from 22 scores afterward. Port Adelaide's first half was laden with skill errors. Any sense of flow or control in the game was stymied by a misfired handball, dropped mark, or undisciplined free kick against. It highlighted a distinct lack of cohesion between the group. But once the visitors got a taste of control, it relished a hard-running, unified style of play that worked beautifully. The Power's late surge was met with tired legs from Carlton which, coming off a five-day break, was forced into an early substitution with David Cuningham dislocating his shoulder in the first quarter.

The tag
Carlton tagger Alex Cincotta's run of impressive shutdown roles continued on Friday. As flagged by Blues coach Michael Voss before the game, Cincotta put the squeeze on star Zak Butters, restricting the Power star from his usual game-breaking impact. In an attempt to escape the tag, Butters moved into attack midway through the second term, only for Cincotta to switch his focus to Port Adelaide captain Connor Rozee through the middle. The shift worked in Port Adelaide's favour, as Butters broke through for 10 important disposals through the third quarter as his side worked back into the game, before Cincotta returned to Butters in the final term.

The ARC in action
As Carlton was fighting hard to snatch back the lead deep in the final quarter, Darcy Byrne-Jones threw up a new challenge for the team in charge of goal reviews. Out of congestion in the goalsquare, Byrne-Jones kicked off the ground towards the goal line. The ball clattered into the goal umpire's foot, causing it to divert into the post, leaving the umpires no option but to send the decision upstairs. Ultimately, it was deemed a goal, putting Port Adelaide 14 points up with mere minutes left on the clock, and proved to be Carlton's death knell.

Curnow, a man on a mission
Even without partner in crime Harry McKay running around next to him, Coleman Medal leader Charlie Curnow was at his destructive best. Challenged all night by athletic Power defender Aliir Aliir, Curnow's neat mix of aerial strength and deft ground-level attack proved near on impossible to stop. By half-time Curnow had recorded 11 disposals – all kicks – and three goals. While his influence on the game quietened in the second half, he remained an ever-present threat to the Power's backline.

Best: C. Curnow, S. Walsh, P. Cripps, E. Hollands, M. McGovern.

Sustaining run crucial, says Voss

Michael Voss points to a lack of run in the second half as the Blues' downfall. - By Carlton Media
The Blues came out firing in the first half of Friday night's clash but faltered in the second half, ultimately falling to the Power by 14 points. Failing to capitalise on their opportunities both in front of goal and down the field in the final quarter, Carlton couldn't regain their lead. Senior Coach Michael Voss attributed the Blues' downfall to their inability to sustain pressure into the second half but expressed confidence in a strong response next week. Here’s what he had to say.

On the difference between the first and second half:
"It was some of the better footy we’ve played this year for a half. I didn’t necessarily see the second half coming but didn’t feel like we had the energy for the entirety of the game. "Port dialled up a couple of things and we weren’t able to absorb it. The game changed, we held on through the third quarter, we were losing territory badly, but we were still able to hold on so we defended for a pretty large part of the quarter and then defending for that long took the energy out of us for the last quarter. "It didn’t seem like we had enough punch to finish off the game the way we wanted to. It’s pretty clear to us, but effectively the contest and pressure were where it all started and where it all finished. "We had 90 odd tackles and 50 in the second half, their pressure rating was really high across the day, a rare number we lose is contested possession - we never lose that number - we were beaten tonight. All of it happened in the second half."

On the wrap-up of the game:
"It’s something we’ll look at in a couple of days, we have a couple of days to get some rest. We had the shorter break, so we’ll have a look at the game and see where we fell down. "We certainly didn’t have the run in the second half, particularly in the last quarter when the game needed to be won. We’ll have a look at why and if we could’ve managed it better and how we could’ve still just held on in the wrestle a bit longer. "Late in the game with five minutes to go, it seemed like we needed to create something different but with a couple of plays we did have, we couldn’t finish and their intercepting in the second half became a factor and getting the ball to ground was a struggle. I'll pass on the credit to Port and their second half was pretty impressive."

On Harry McKay's late withdrawal:
"We waited for most of the day to see whether he would get better, but he was too crook. The decision was made to make the change and we made the call reasonably late. He had a great week, got through all the training sessions, got through everything."

On the influence of personnel changes:
"I think what we’ve prided ourselves on for a few years now is that we’ve got a next-man-up mentality and I think we’ve had some unbelievable games where we’ve just found a way despite the personnel. "I think there was still an opportunity for us to do that, the first half showed it, so when you’re looking at performances, I don’t think that’s the rock you need to flip. "We’ve got effort and intensity that we need to be able to have, we’ve got expectations on what we need our contest to look like, we lost that drive around the ball, their midfield was too good and we couldn’t get any drive from that part of the game."

On the midfield battle:
"It’s not a concern, but it is a challenge. I’ll back the men that are in there though. They’re competitive, they’re always looking to get better and one thing I know they don’t like is losing. They don’t like losing a contest, let alone four points. "But we have to acknowledge we got beaten in there today. We don’t say that often, and it’s not me putting that on them, that’s just the story of the game and we have to accept that for what it is and we have to get better."

On players pulling up sore:
"At this stage of the season, there’s just bumps and bruises, they’ve all got them, it’s not just us, it’s everyone in the competition. But what we do have in front of us is an unbelievable opportunity and it’s well and truly in our control. We’ve got a month to do and the games become critically important from here."

Blues lament struggles at contest, Hinkley proud of 'tough' Port

Michael Voss felt the Blues' loss to the Power came down to contest and pressure - By Gemma Bastiani at Marvel Stadium,

Carlton's contested brand of footy was challenged by Port Adelaide in Friday night's loss, according to coach Michael Voss. Although the Blues ultimately won the contested possession count 154-139, they led the metric by just one in the second half, and lost the clearance count by 10. "I'll try and say contest and pressure about five different ways if you want, but effectively that's where it all started," Voss said post-match. "They had 90-odd tackles, and 50 of those plus in the second half. Their pressure rating was really high across the day. A rare number that we lose is contested possession, we never lose that number." Falling energy levels was one factor to blame for Carlton's second-half fade out. Coming off a five-day break, forced into a late change with Harry McKay struck down with illness and required to use their substitute early due to an injured David Cuningham, the Blues ran out of legs against a fast-finishing Port Adelaide outfit.

A seven-goal second quarter helped the Blues pull away to a 31-point lead before half-time, only to lose by 14 points. Outside of that second-term blitz, the side kicked just two goals. "I could sit here and say it's not a factor, but the reality is, it had something to do with it," Voss said. "What we don't do, though, as a football club is that we use that as a reason for the loss… you've still got to be able to find a way to be able to play consistent (footy) no matter what, and that's still something we're trying to achieve." Voss also confirmed that Cuningham's shoulder injury was a dislocation, with scans to take place in the coming days. "He's had it before, so (I'm) not expecting the best news," he conceded.

For Hinkley, it was Port Adelaide's willingness to do the hard stuff to work back into the game that was most impressive. "Proud of our boys for the way they played the second half," Hinkley said. "We actually had to figure out how to play tough, and I thought we played against a really, really tough team and in the second half maybe we just got our noses in front of the tough contest." Part of his side's second-half surge was star midfielder Zak Butters' ability to adapt to a tight Alex Cincotta tag. Butters had struggled in the first half to have his usual damaging impact, but broke free in the third quarter to register 10 disposals and ignite his side. "I would say that it's really hard for a small player like Zak to handle being manhandled around stoppages, and that's real. That's what goes on, and he know that, he knows it's really hard work," Hinkley said. "Cincotta does a really good job of looking after him, but Zak's learned a lot in the last six weeks, he's going to be in a good position as he goes through the next four weeks. He's grown as a player, I'm really proud of Zak, and some of his fines come about for some of the treatment he cops."

With ladder-leader Sydney to come next week, the Power's run doesn't get any easier, but it is an ideal test with just a month to go before finals. "We want to be a good team, we want to be one of the best teams in the comp," Hinkley said. "A lot of people have said we've probably got the perfect preparation to go through the back half… we're going to find out whether we're worthy, and that will be really nice once we get that answer." But belief has never been lacking inside the four walls of Alberton. "We've always had some belief. Not many do about us, but we've had a bit of belief and we're trying really hard to continue to improve late in the season," Hinkley said.

Blues can't afford to be without either of their twin towers

With Tom De Koning ruled out for the remainder of the home and away season, the presence of both Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay is absolutely crucial to Carlton. Against Port Adelaide on Friday the Blues lost McKay before the bounce to illness. As expected, Curnow was a star, kicking three first-half goals and working incredibly hard to maintain a strong presence in attack. But with no McKay in the Blues' attack, the Power were able to slowly diminish Curnow's impact on the contest. Without De Koning available to assist up forward when needed, the Blues desperately need both Curnow and McKay fit and firing inside 50 if they are to sincerely challenge in September. – Gemma Bastiani

Team

B:	17 Brodie Kemp	23 Jacob Weitering	24 Nic Newman
HB:	42 Adam Saad	11 Mitch McGovern	5 Adam Cerra
C:	4 Ollie Hollands	9 Patrick Cripps (c)	46 Matt Cottrell
HF:	20 Elijah Hollands	33 Lewis Young	7 Matt Kennedy
F:	8 Lachie Fogarty	30 Charlie Curnow	3 Jesse Motlop
Ruck:	27 Marc Pittonet	18 Sam Walsh	29 George Hewett
Interchange:	2 Lachlan Cowan	39 Alex Cincotta	28 David Cuningham
	44 Matt Owies
Substitute:	16 Jack Carroll
Coach:	Michael Voss
Emergencies:	37 Jordan Boyd	25 Jaxon Binns	10 Harry McKay

Late Withdrawal; Lewis Young replaced Harry McKay who withdrew from the game due to illness.

In; Brodie Kemp, Mitch McGovern, Marc Pittonet
Out: Sam Durdin (calf), Tom De Koning (foot & lung), Blake Acres (foot)

Substitute: Jack Carroll (replaced David Cuningham in the first quarter)

Milestones

Last Game: David Cuningham

Interesting Facts

1. Charlie Curnow has kicked 201 goals since the start of 2022, the next best is Geelong's Jeremy Cameron with 155 goals.

Free Kicks

Carlton 24
Port Adelaide 22

Front Runners

Oliver Hollands 15.5km
Elijah Hollands 15.5km
Matt Cottrell 15.0km

AFLCA Votes

10 - Ollie Wines (PORT)
6 - Willem Drew (PORT)
4 - Miles Bergman (PORT)
4 - Charlie Curnow (CARL)
3 - Aliir Aliir (PORT)
2 - Travis Boak (PORT)
1 - Jason Horne-Francis (PORT)

Brownlow Votes

3 - Ollie Wines (PORT)
2 - Sam Walsh (CARL)
1 - Connor Rozee (PORT)

Best and Fairest Votes

Video

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Round 19 | Round 21