It’s almost like the Eagles didn’t watch Carlton’s game last week, nor did they read my review of the game against the Dons. You simply cannot let the Blues get off to a run in the first quarter, because they love killing the game. Just like last week against Essendon, the Blues got off to a blistering start, kicking seven goals to the Eagles’ one.

Small forward, Lachie Fogarty led the way for the Blues with three goals, while Tom De Koning, Mitch McGovern, Charlie Curnow, and Zac Williams all kicked one goal each, while Bailey Williams kicked West Coast’s only goal of the opening term.

It seemed to go from bad to worse for the Eagles in the second quarter, as Harley Reid missed an easily gettable goal from a few metres out, only for the Blues to kick the first goal of the second quarter through Zac Williams. Things went from bad to worse after McGovern drew a soft free kick from young Eagles defender, Harry Edwards, and kicked his second goal of the game.

Cincotta kicked Carlton’s third goal of the quarter, and from that point, the game ground to a halt, with both sides missing gettable opportunities until the Eagles were finally able to kick back-to-back goals from Jamie Cripps and Elijah Hewett. Instead of maintaining their attack on the ball, Carlton players appeared to be happy to retreat into their shells and maintain the lead as they ran out the half, similar to what they tried to do against Essendon the previous week. As a result, the Blues went into halftime with a 46-point lead.

Late in the half, the Blues subbed out key forward Charlie Curnow after he suffered some tightness in his calf. This left Carlton relying on Mitch McGovern and Hudson O’Keeffe as their two key forwards, which wasn’t a bad result considering the slippery conditions. Despite the added speed on the ball, Carlton continued to manage the game, slowing the game down on every possible opportunity.

Blake Acres then had a contender for miss of the season, hitting the post from point-blank range after taking a nice contested mark a few metres out from goal as the skill level of the game continued to dwindle. In admittedly wet and slippery conditions, both teams struggled with basic skills, bobbled the ball, and missed open passes.

It took over 12 minutes for either team to find the first goal, after a kick into the Eagles’ forward fifty somewhat fortuitously fell back into Tyler Brockman’s lap after a contest. He kicked truly and reduced the margin back down to 41 points. Corey Durdin restored the lead back out to 47 points after Cerra hit him on the chest from 40 metres out on the lead.

With the result settled by the end of the third quarter, both teams appeared to be content to allow the rest of the game to play out. Bailey Williams kicked his third goal of the game, which was his personal best return.

With less than a minute left in the game, Jack Williams took a nice contested mark and converted the subsequent set shot to bring the margin back down to a respectable 34-point margin.

 

Injuries for both sides

In an inconsequential game, both sides suffered injuries that they could ill afford. For Carlton, Charlie Curnow was subbed out of the game, with the reason given that he suffered from calf-tightness. Fellow tall forward, Hudson O’Keeffe, also suffered a hamstring injury in the third quarter and was wrapped in cotton wool for the remainder of the game. These injuries come a after the Blues lost Harry McKay to knee soreness a few weeks ago, and the former Coleman Medallist is yet to return.

The Eagles also suffered injuries to Oscar Allen, who seemed to hurt his left leg in the fourth quarter. The Eagles’ captain had a poor game, managing only seven touches, without hitting the scoreboard. Eagles’ key defender Harry Edwards was also taken out of the game late. Edwards appeared to suffer an injury to his shoulder in the third quarter before finishing the game on the bench with ice strapped to his left leg.

 

Starring Role on Debut

Mid-season number one draft pick, Tom McCarthy got his first start for the Eagles, and the impression he made was immediate. Not only did McCarthy become the first Eagle this season to earn over 30 possessions in a single game for the season, but he also went at 93% efficiency. That’s an impressive effort for his first game.

McCarthy had plenty to play for in his first AFL game, as the new Eagle had a row of his friends and family in the crowd supporting him. He certainly provided the Eagles fans in attendance at Optus Stadium a small ray of hope in an otherwise dismal encounter for the home side.

 

Another brilliant Carlton first quarter

Proving that their efforts against Essendon last week weren’t just a fluke, Carlton again started the game hot off the blocks. With a ruthless efficiency, Carlton dominated the first quarter for the second week in a row.

Much like their efforts last week, Carlton’s defence held their opponents to just 1.1 in the first quarter. However, Carlton went one goal better this week than they did against the Bombers, scoring 7.4 against the Eagles in the opening quarter as opposed to 6.4 against Essendon in Round 13.

 

The almost inevitable fade out

The issue for Carlton isn’t their best, as in the last few seasons that when the Blues are on fire, they can match it with the top teams. The issue of late, especially this season, their best has rarely lasted longer than a single quarter in a game.

This week, against the worst side in the league, Carlton’s players experienced another fade out. A lot of this has to do with the players seemingly employing a game plan of slowing the game down after a blistering first quarter. This change of tactics leaves most fans scratching their head, wondering why, after such a brilliant start, would you not want to continue with the same tactics that helped you establish such a dominant lead in the first place?

 

The month ahead

With two wins on the trot since their bye, Carlton will host North Melbourne at the MCG next week. North are not the side that Carlton faced earlier in the season on Good Friday, but the Blues should still start the game as favourites. They then face Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval, which appears to be a tougher ask than it initially looked a few weeks ago.

Carlton then faces Collingwood in round 17, followed by the Lions in round 18. If Carlton has any hope of playing finals, they need to win three of their next four games, if not for the premiership points, then to restore some faith after a very shaky season so far.

West Coast, mercifully, has the bye next week, but they face Collingwood in their first game back after the bye at Marvel Stadium. Following the game against the Pies, West Coast returns to Optus Stadium, where they host the Giants before heading to Adelaide to round off their next month with a game against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.