Source : the age
The Blues raise the bat!
Francis Evans has kicked a Joe the Goose from the goal square to put the Blues into triple figures for the first time since round 23 last year against Port Adelaide.
And moments later, Will Hayward launched a cannon from just outside 50 for the Blues’ third in a row. The margin is out to a game-high 49 points with just under five minutes remaining.
This is not shaping to be the percentage booster Blues fans would be hoping for.
The Eagles have hung in gamely to prevent the margin from blowing out.
They have kicked the last two goals through Jobe Shanahan and ruckman Bailey Williams, who has won his duel against Marc Pittonet.
The Blues will be eyeing off triple figures for the first time since round 23 last year when they kicked 118 against Port Adelaide at this venue. They’re in the nervous 90s.
Q4: Blues 13.13 (91) Eagles 9.8 (62)
The Blues’ absorbed the best of the Eagles that quarter before kicking the last two goals of the quarter to push their lead out to 36 points at the final change. It had been 32 points at the long break.
Blues skipper Patrick Cripps was limited to just four disposals in the third quarter but Sam Walsh continued on his merry way with seven to move to 27 possessions. He would be the favourite to get the three votes from the umpire.
Talor Byrne has been rewarded for his endeavour with three goals, including a contender for the goal of the week with a snapshot from the boundary line.
The Eagles have had a crack but their midfield has been well beaten by the Blues quartet of Cripps, Walsh, George Hewett and Jagga Smith.
Carlton will be out to swell their percentage in the last quarter. Percentage will be vital in the run home as they eye off a spot in the finals.
3QT: Blues 12.11 (83) Eagles 7.5 (47)
Talor Byrne gets a vital goal for the Blues, his third, to stretch the gap out to 28 points.
There had been a bit of a hush around Marvel Stadium from nervy Blues fans worried the Eagles were mounting a comeback.
The visitors are still in it, but can they sustain this effort?
The Eagles have the first two of the second half to trim the margin to 21 points.
The first came from a mix-up by the Blues defenders near the goal line, the second went to Bailey Williams from a ruck infringement from a boundary throw-in in their forward 50.
We all know about the Blues’ struggles after half-time under Michael Voss. Could they be returning under Josh Fraser?
Talor Byrne has had difficulty with his set shots, but he made no mistake with this snap from the boundary.
Half-time at Marvel Stadium and it’s the Blues with a 32-point lead over West Coast.
Carlton have dominated contest and clearance thanks to Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh, who are vying for the maximum three Brownlow votes. They have been well supported by Jagga Smith and George Hewett. The four Blues midfielders are the four leading ball-winners on the ground.
Youngster Billy Wilson has continued his promising form, providing dash and run off half-back, while Lachie Cowan has defended with authority.
The only knock on the Blues is they got a bit cute in parts with their play rather than sticking to the basics.
Injury watch on the Blues captain Patrick Cripps, who is bothered by a blow to his left hand.
Cripps took a while to get up after a ground-ball contest, clutching his hand in discomfort. He hasn’t left the field but has been repeatedly holding his hand.
Talor Byrne has a second goal, converting from about 50 metres after marking strongly on the lead.
The Eagles have lifted their intensity to make it a more competitive second quarter, but they will need to maintain their effort in the final few minutes before half-time.
Mitch McGovern also has a second, making no mistake from just inside 50.
The Blues’ lead is out to a game-high 32 points.
West Coast have lifted their pressure quarter and been rewarded with the first goal of the quarter through Brady Hough, who converted a free kick after taking down Jagga Smith.
The Blues responded with a goal of the day contender from Talor Byrne, who snapped from the boundary on the run. The lead is back to 27 points.
