Brave Blues Snatch Defeat From Jaws Of Victory

The Blues went into the match with a late change when Jim Plunkett succumbed to injury and Sam Cranage replaced him.  In the first quarter the Blues picked up where they left off in previous weeks with only Hawthorn's inaccuracy preventing the game being over by quarter time.  To top it off Carlton lost Scott Camporeale in the first quarter yet again and Justin Murphy went to Disneyland further demolishing our already weakened midfield.  The big plus for the Blues was Corey McKernan's effort in the ruck and for a few minutes tonight, the game looked set for a fairytale.  From the opening bounce Corey fisted the ball inside the Blues attacking 50, almost an exclamation mark after weeks of merciless bagging from all and sundry.

Hawthorn bounded to a five goal lead in the second quarter and while I was wondering where I had put those razor blades, Carlton decided to do something they hadn't done in many a moon.  They decided to dish up some class to the opposition.  With Lance Whitnall taking on the Hawks defence by himself, Ryan Houlihan took it upon himself to dance, pirouette and well ... just stroll through the Hawks side for three second quarter goals.  The result .... not a blade of grass between the sides at half time.

Four third quarter goals for Carlton had me daring to dream.  Whitnall booted two more for five for the match, he gave one of to Davies and acted like a hare as the two Hawthorn greyhounds chased him up the ground leaving Matthew Lappin by himself to pick up an easy goal.  The Blues had built a lead of 13 points when Ryan Houlihan marked and tried to play on but instead ran out of bounds on the half back flank.  Incredibly Lekkas goaled for the Hawks with eight seconds left to take away the Blues buffer and leave no margin for error.

A mark and inspiring goal to Corey McKernan built the buffer again  and moments later free kick from the ruck to Hotton that wasn't paid robbed the Blues of the sealer.  Instead the Hawks received a free a couple of seconds later.  From that moment it all fell apart.  Mansfield gave away yet another undisciplined 50 metre penalty and the resultant goal to Chick inspired memories of last year's heartbreaking loss to the Hawks after the siren.  The Blues fell back into their pattern of nervous turnovers and poor decision making as three more goals to the Hawks killed the dream.

We can talk about Hawthorn's inaccuracy but in reality many of the missed shots were not what we could call 'gimmes'.  The Hawks can consider themselves lucky for getting out of jail yet again and the knockers that suggest that Carlton have no youth coming through can kiss my rosy red ...um yeah, where was I?

For much of the game it was our youth that kept the Blues going.  Andrew Eccles bounced back brilliantly and was probably our best player in the first half.  He was benched in the last quarter which came as a surprise considering the form he was displaying.  What was on your mind Britts?  Justin Davies went two for two as he backed up his fine debut by making the most of his chances off the bench.  Adam Pickering showed something for the first time in senior football and I was impressed with his coolness under pressure.  Sam Cranage also didn't put a foot wrong and showed some skill.Luke Livingston played the game we all thought he was capable of and showed his best while in defence.  David Gallagher faded in the second half but was one of our best early while Ryan Houlihan threatened to win the game himself.  It was in fact many of the older Carlton players that showed a lack of poise at times, Christou made errors, Mansfield we know about, Bradley turned the ball over and was genuinely outplayed many times. 

Saving the best for last, Corey McKernan played a good big man's game and every possession, every mark, he grew noticeably in confidence.  I hope all Blues fans will at last get behind the big fella.

Nothing more to say except surely we will eventually enter the winners circle .... or are these 'so close but yet so far' games using up all of our hard work?  Keep the faith, we may yet have a future.

«
REVIEW

CARLTON
v
Hawthorn

Round 8

17 May 2002

SEASON 2002

Goals

 Whitnall 5, Houlihan 3, Lappin 2, Davies, McKernan

Dixon 2. Vandenberg 2, Lekkas 2, Baker, Chick, Crawford, Hodge, Cox, Barlow