Source : the age
Scott Pendlebury will miss Collingwood’s cutthroat wildcard final next week and could well have played his final match in black and white.
The Magpies revealed on Saturday that the VFL/AFL games-record holder had suffered a hamstring strain in the club’s loss to the Brisbane Lions at the MCG on Friday night, ruling him out for “two to three weeks”.
In a further blow to Collingwood, rugged defender Brayden Maynard strained the MCL in his left knee during a Saturday-morning training session and will also likely miss several weeks.
The Pendlebury injury will leave coach Craig McRae lamenting a decision to play his veteran leader in a match that ultimately had no bearing on their ladder position. Many felt he should have rested the former skipper.
“These are obviously disappointing setbacks for both Scott and Brayden,” Magpies head of football Charlie Gardiner said on Saturday afternoon.
“Scott experienced tightness in the back of his knee during last night’s game. Scans earlier today confirmed a hamstring strain, and we expect Scott to be sidelined for two to three weeks.
“Brayden unfortunately left the track early this morning during a training session, with scans confirming he sustained a grade one MCL strain. This is the same knee but unrelated to his earlier injury.
“These are unfortunate setbacks, especially at this time of year but Scott and Brayden are absolute professionals and will do all they can to get back as quickly as possible.”
Carlton hit the wild card weekend with a full head of steam, beating ladder leader Fremantle by 43 points at Marvel Stadium.
Their win has the potential to set up a dream finals clash against Collingwood if Melbourne defeat the Western Bulldogs at the MCG later today.
The Blues would face their arch rival at a time the Magpies have been beset by injury. Scott Pendlebury has been ruled out for several weeks with a hamstring injury and Brayden Maynard has suffered a further knee setback.
It continues the miracle resurgence under Josh Fraser, having won 11 games, drawn one and lost two since he took over.
The Blues have the luxury now of resting Jacob Weitering for the remainder of this match. They lead by 42 points with about 10 minutes to play.
Carlton are home. They are 36 points up against Fremantle in the final term at Marvel Stadium.
They are charging into the finals with a full head of steam under this Josh Fraser coaching miracle. They are a big chance to face Collingwood next week, as the Magpies announce that they will be without Scott Pendlebury (hamstring) and Brayden Maynard (knee).
Frankie Evans has just booted his fifth for the game. Yes, that’s right, Frankie has five and the Blues have notched up 100 points against the ladder leader. Admittedly, the Dockers are probably half-hearted on an afternoon that has no impact on their top spot.
Blues 16.10 (106) lead Dockers 10.10 (70) in the final term.
Scott Pendlebury will miss Collingwood’s cutthroat wildcard final next week and could well have played his final match in black and white.
The Magpies revealed on Saturday that the VFL/AFL games-record holder had suffered a hamstring strain in the club’s loss to the Brisbane Lions at the MCG on Friday night, ruling him out for “two to three weeks”.
In a further blow to Collingwood, rugged defender Brayden Maynard strained the MCL in his left knee during a Saturday-morning training session and will also likely miss several weeks.
The Pendlebury injury will leave coach Craig McRae lamenting a decision to play his veteran leader in a match that ultimately had no bearing on their ladder position. Many felt he should have rested the former skipper.
“These are obviously disappointing setbacks for both Scott and Brayden,” Magpies head of football Charlie Gardiner said on Saturday afternoon.
Carlton are one quarter away from doing their bit to set up a dream Collingwood wild card final.
The Blues lead the Dockers by 22 points at three-quarter time at Marvel Stadium. A win will push the Blues into ninth and a possible clash with eight-placed Collingwood next week.
This will also depend on the Bulldogs. They need to beat Melbourne at the MCG, starting at 4.15pm, to reclaim ninth position. If they lose, they stay in 10th. The problem for the Dogs is that the Demons still have plenty to play for – they need to win to stay in the top six.
Oliver Florent leads the possession count with 25 disposals, while Jagga Smith has 23 and Sam Walsh 22. Small forward Frankie Evans leads the goalkickers with four majors.
Skipper Patrick Cripps set the crowd alight with a goal in the third term. They just love him, the Blues fans.
3QT: Blues 12.8 (80) lead Dockers 8.10 (58)
The Dockers are managing skipper Alex Pearce’s game time. He has spent a large slice of this third term against Carlton at Marvel Stadium off the ground.
He has just re-entered the action at the 16-minute mark. As he does so, Carlton cult hero Frankie Evans marks and goals. That’s four for the game for young Frankie and the Blues take a 23-point lead and are doing everything possible to set up a wildcard clash against Collingwood. The Demons also have to beat the ninth-placed Dogs, or course.
Blues 11.7 (73) lead Dockers 7.8 (50)
The Blues fans are well behind Ollie Hollands.
They erupt as he kicks the first goal of the second half to give Carlton a 17-point lead over Fremantle at Marvel Stadium.
But that was nothing compared to the reception he was given in the second term when he ran down super villain Patrick Voss in the goal square. It looked like a certain goal and the crowd went nuts. One, because they love Ollie. Two, because it happened to Voss.
Soon after Hollands snapped his major, Jagga Smith followed up with a goal. The Dockers are in second gear here.
Blues 10.7 (67) lead the Dockers 7.8 (50) in the third term.
OK, all we are thinking about now is a Carlton-Collingwood wild card final.
The Blues are doing their bit. If they beat Fremantle – they lead by 11 points at half-time – and Melbourne beat the Bulldogs at the MCG in the next match, we are on.
In that scenario, the Dogs would drop to 10th and possibly face Adelaide in Adelaide – depending on other results.
The Blues hold an 11-point lead at half-time against Fremantle at Marvel Stadium after dominating the second term. In fact, on stats alone, they have dominated this game under the lid.
They have had 62 more disposals, two more inside 50s (23-21), 43 more marks (68-25), three more clearances (21-18) and two more centre square clearances (9-7).
But, as we know, that does not always translate to the scoreboard. It didn’t help the Blues that they gave up a late-second quarter goal to Michael Fredericks, handing back some of their advantage.
Sam Walsh (18 disposals) and Jagga Smith (17 disposals) have once again carried the midfield workload. They might also finish first and second in the club’;s best and fairest. Frankie Evans has continued his run of hot form with three first-half goals.
Fremantle are going through the motions. Let’s see how the attack the second half. To be honest, there is no need to bust a boiler – just get through the game unscathed ahead of the finals.
HT: Carlton 8.7 (55) lead Fremantle 6.8 (44)
Carlton have brought the Marvel Stadium crowd alive in this second term, hitting the front against Fremantle.
Two goals from Brodie Kemp and another from Sam Walsh have given them a 13-point lead.
Dockers recruit Mason Cox had a chance to narrow the margin, but his shot at goal faded off to the left. Cue laughter from the Carlton fans.
While goals have dried up compared to the shootout of the first term, the game is being played on Carlton’s terms – they have had 50 more disposals than their Western Australian opponent.
Blues 7.6 (48) lead 5.5 (35), second term.
