I got what I was expecting from this game.
When you have two Preliminary Finalists from the previous year locking horns, you know you’re in for a good one. With one loss between them heading into this contest, there was a heap on the line, as this is where the work is done to secure a top-four spot at the end of the season. Four points in the bank in Round Six means a heap when the ships are cracking.
The Giants had taken all before them this game, but facing the Blues at Marvel Stadium posed a new problem – Carlton had the midfield to match them for strength. And not only that, they had the firepower up forward to worry the recently-depleted GWS defence.
What transpired over the course of two hours was riveting viewing, as the contest see-sawed, and at one point looked as though it might break the Giants’ way. Kicking six on the trot through the middle of the game, GWS looked as though they were ready to step on the throat of the Blues. However, in what is fast becoming a standard for Carlton, they flat-out refused to lay down and forced their way back into it as they key forwards started converting.
With Patrick Cripps at his brutish best, the Blues got a huge lift from their power forwards in the premiership quarter, and opened up the lead that would see them run out winners by 19 points.
Let’s jump into The Mongrel’s Talking Points.
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