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Carlton’s season is hanging in the balance after Greater Western Sydney pounced on a litany of Blues errors to mark Toby Greene’s 250th game with victory at Marvel Stadium.
The Blues dominated contested possessions, won clearance and had more entries inside 50 but shot themselves in the foot to go down by 28 points – 17.8 (110) to 12.10 (82).
The Blues had a second half they’d rather forget in Toby Greene’s 250th game.Credit: Getty Images
Fancied by many at the start of the season to make the finals, the Blues head into the bye flailing at 4-7, needing a 2023-like run to see September action.
The navy-blue exodus out of Marvel Stadium began in time-on as it became apparent there would be no late revival for Michael Voss’ men.
The Blues made error after error with the ball, and their defence, a strength in their game this year, also made costly mistakes.
Behind from early in the second term, the Blues could not get enough clean ball into Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay. Curnow was hot in the first half but was well held after half-time by Sam Taylor.
Greene, in his milestone game, was brilliant with three goals and 28 possessions while Jesse Hogan won his duel with Jacob Weitering, booting four goals.
The Blues’ lack of class and speed on the outside was apparent once the Giants were able to prevent the hosts from storming out the front of stoppage.
The Giants are back on track, and Toby Greene is the main reason why. What a stunning 250th game milestone for probably the greatest GWS player of all-time.
He spoke to Fox Footy straight after his side’s win, saying how important it was to get a win on the road after the Giants badly lowered their colours at home to Fremantle last week, but admitting the week leading into his milestone game had been a tiring one.
Toby Greene prepares to take his daughter through his milestone banner.Credit: Getty Images
“I was sick of seeing myself on Instagram,” he said.
“But it was good – the best thing about it was all the people who reached out.
“The people you meet along the way is the best thing about footy.”
Greene spoke about how special it was to carry his daughter, Isla, through the banner pre-game.
“That was the only thing I was really looking forward to about the day – getting to run out with her – so that was awesome,” he said.
Three of Greene’s footy mentors were in the rooms to congratulate him on his milestone – inaugural Giants coach Kevin Sheedy, James Hird, and Craig Lambert.
Essendon legend Hird was a young Greene’s favourite player.
“It was awesome, and great to hear from them,” Greene said.
“They mean a lot to me in my life.”
Carlton’s season is hanging in the balance after Greater Western Sydney pounced on a litany of Blues errors to mark Toby Greene’s 250th game with victory at Marvel Stadium.
The Blues dominated contested possessions, won clearance and had more entries inside 50 but shot themselves in the foot to go down by 28 points – 17.8 (110) to 12.10 (82).
The Blues had a second half they’d rather forget in Toby Greene’s 250th game.Credit: Getty Images
Fancied by many at the start of the season to make the finals, the Blues head into the bye flailing at 4-7, needing a 2023-like run to see September action.
The navy-blue exodus out of Marvel Stadium began in time-on as it became apparent there would be no late revival for Michael Voss’ men.
The Blues made error after error with the ball, and their defence, a strength in their game this year, also made costly mistakes.
Behind from early in the second term, the Blues could not get enough clean ball into Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay. Curnow was hot in the first half but was well held after half-time by Sam Taylor.
Greene, in his milestone game, was brilliant with three goals and 28 possessions while Jesse Hogan won his duel with Jacob Weitering, booting four goals.
The Blues’ lack of class and speed on the outside was apparent once the Giants were able to prevent the hosts from storming out the front of stoppage.
Two late scores from Giants skipper Toby Greene in his 250th game – a clinical goal, and a sprayed shot wide – have put this one beyond doubt with a few minutes remaining.
The Blues have had their moments today, but the visitors have answered them at every turn.
GWS skipper Toby Greene is playing his 250th game.Credit: AFL Photos
Unsurprisingly, it’s Greene who’s shone brightest for GWS with a whopping 13 score involvements, 11 contested possessions, six clearances, 26 touches, 583 metres gained and 3.3.
Take a bow.
The Giants lead 110-82.
The lead is back out to 21 points the Giants’ way. It’s so impressive how they answer every question the Blues ask of them.
It’s not always pretty footy produced by the orange tsunami, but it’s so effective in their surges forward.
Jesse Hogan is in sublime touch.Credit: Getty Images
There aren’t many craftier key forwards in the game than Jesse Hogan, who just slotted his fourth. Fourth straight, too.
GWS lead 103 to 82 with less than 10 minutes on the clock. That’s a hell of a tough ask.
Young key forward Aaron Cadman, the No.1 draft pick in 2022, was rewarded with a free flying for a contested mark, and kicked truly from well inside 50, taking the Giants’ lead to 21 points with 12 minutes left.
But then, against the run of play, a clinical finish to Adam Cerra, and another major seconds later to Lachie Fogarty from a Harry McKay clearance from the centre bounce transferred the momentum the Blues’ way … that is, until another goal from a centre bounce clearance – this time Cadman capitalising from a loose ball from a long bomb towards the goal square.
Adam Cerra handballs under pressure.Credit: Getty Images
That hurts the Blues.
The Giants are up 97-82 with 11 minutes left and time is rapidly ticking away for Michael Voss and his side in a game they seriously need to win to maintain touch with the top eight.
Cooper Lord could have had a set shot from not much more than 25 out for the Blues, but it was called a bump ball by the umpire and the replay showed … that call was spot on.
In a time in which the officials have never been scrutinised more heavily, it’s comforting to see them nail those ones.
The Giants are still up, 85-70, with about 14 minutes left.
It’s all just a bit messy for the Blues today. Even in transition from half-back, with ball-in-hand, everything looks like hard work.
That’s not to discredit the Giants – their pressure is up, but Carlton’s lack of consistent movement ahead of the ball isn’t doing them any favours.
What a goal from GWS ruckman Kieren Briggs – hacking a goal out of the ruck in the Giants’ goal square from a stoppage after a knuckle-ball long shot from Harvey Thomas.
Giants ruckman Kieren Briggs battles with Blue Tom De Koning.Credit: Getty Images
That whole passage of play reflected pretty poorly on the Blues. They’ll need to sharpen up their attention to detail if they’re to claw back what is now a 15-point deficit with just under 17 minutes remaining.
The Giants have all the answers so far against the Blues, whose effort cannot be faulted but lack the attention to detail and cutting edge to make a serious run.
The Blues closed to eight points but leaked a late goal from the centre bounce to Jake Riccardi, who snapped a goal with just seconds left.
Giants forward Jake Riccardi.Credit: AFL Photos
Frustratingly for the Blues, the initial bounce was called back just as they were about to exit the scrimmage, but the second bounce ensured a clean takeaway.
The Blues are well on top for contested possessions (+26), clearance (+7) and have 10 more entries inside 50, but they are behind by 14 points and on the verge of going into the bye precariously placed at 4-7.
Carlton’s delivery inside 50 has been ordinary, often picking the wrong option. When they needed to go long, they went shallow. When they had a player leading up, they’d go longer to a contest.
If they can clean this up in the final term, they can challenge, if not, the Giants will hold on to their lead.
