Fev-less Blues continue to prosper

Round 8- Port v Carlton

This was one of the games of the round. Carlton, a much-better side without Brendan Fevola, taking on Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium, a team that is working and working their way up the ladder. Both teams have serious potential, but who is better?

The match began with plenty of mistakes and end-to-end footy, before Setanta O’hAilpin finally goaled against the flow, before Justin Westhoff replied. Andrew Carrazzo goaled from a free kick, before Cameron Hitchcock snapped a beauty from a pack. Jeff Garlett gathered, evaded a tackler and snapped his first, but Steve Salopek goaled after some more end-to-end footy. Kade Simpson goaled from 50 out on the run to give the Blues the lead by four points at quarter time, 4.1 to 3.3.

The second quarter started and Jay Schulz, back in the side after Warren Tredrea injured his ankle last week, goaled, followed by Brett Ebert’s good mark and conversion. Daniel Motlop marked in the forward pocket, played on, dummied around an opponent and snapped his first to give Port a 14 point break. Ryan Houlihan replied for the Blues, followed by Chris Judd after a perfect kick by Dennis Armfield. Motlop kicked his second after marking deep in the pocket, playing on and shrugging off Bryce Gibbs to run into an open goal, but quick goals to O’hAilpin and Jarrad Waite saw the Blues back in front by five points. Robbie Gray snapped a great goal just on half-time though, giving the Power the lead by a point, 8.5 to 8.4.

The second half began and Chris Yarran goaled from a 50m penalty, before Chad Cornes did likewise. Dom Cassisi came off injured as Jason Davenport also goaled from a 50m penalty, and then a quick goal on the run to Hitchcock saw the Power out by 12 points. Jacob Surjan got his name in the goalkickers list for the first time in 2010 with a great snap goal from 50m out, but a mark and goal to Matthew Kreuzer saw the Blues back within 11 points. Salopek took advantage of a great mark and handball by youngster Jackson Trengove to goal from 50m out on the run. A late goal to Houlihan saw the Blues within nine points at the last change, 11.10 to 13.7.

The final quarter commenced and O’hAilpin kicked his third, before Heath Scotland gave them the lead with a great goal on the run from long range. Kreuzer extended the lead with his second, before Waite sealed the deal with a goal from a 50m penalty. Salopek kicked his third, a very impressive kick from 50m out on the run, but Yarran also impressed with a terrific goal from deep in the forward pocket. Kreuzer, who two years ago kicked three goals in the final quarter against Port Adelaide to give Carlton an unlikely win, kicked his third of the day after gathering the crumbs and snapping from 20m out. The siren sounded, indicating yet another Carlton scalp, 17.16.118 to 14.8.92.

The Blues are going nicely, very nicely. After big wins over Geelong and St Kilda, they have also defeated potential-finalists Port Adelaide away from home. This is great for Carlton to have on their 2010 resume’ come finals time. They are a better side without Fevola. Yarran is starting to show why he was taken early in the draft, Garlett is a rookie-revelation and Eddie Betts is living up to his potential, as is O’hAilpin, who snagged yet another three goals today. Who knows, maybe we’ll see another Irish jigging on the premiership dais in the next few years.

Port Adelaide 3.3—8.5—13.7—14.8.92

Carlton 4.1—8.4—11.10—17.16.118

Goalkickers:

Port Adelaide-Salopek 3, Hitchcock 2, Motlop 2, Surjan, Gray, Westhoff, Schulz, C. Cornes, Davenport, Ebert

Carlton-O’hAilpin 3, Kreuzer 3, Waite 2, Houlihan 2, Yarran 2, Garlett, Simpson, Judd, Carrazzo, Scotland

Best:

Port Adelaide-Cassisi, K. Cornes, C. Cornes, Salopek, Hitchcock

Carlton-Simpson, Judd, Carrazzo, Scotland, Armfield, Kreuzer, O’hAilpin

Crowd:

30,228 at AAMI Stadium

Votes:

3: Kade Simpson (CARL)

2: Chris Judd (CARL)

1: Domenic Cassisi (PA)

About Josh Barnstable

21 year old North Melbourne supporter from country Victoria. Currently living in Melbourne studying a Bachelor of Sports Media. Dreams of becoming a sports journalist and broadcaster.

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