Geelong pounces on huge Carlton flaw

Geelong has solidified its spot in the top four, grinding out a 26-point win over a disappointing Carlton at the MCG.

Horrific ball use haunted the Blues throughout the night, finishing with a paltry five goals from nineteen scoring shots which would have looked worse if it wasn’t for a pair of late majors.

The wasteful Carlton outfit failed to capitalise on a strong start to the game, with dominance around the stoppages curtailed by 54 per cent efficiency by foot – including 13 clanger kicks – compared to the Cats’ 71 per cent.

With the trend continuing, repeat inside fifties eventually wore down an undersized Carlton backline missing key tall Liam Jones. While Tom Hawkins was held goalless on the day by an impressive Jacob Weitering, three consecutive goals to Geelong in the third opened up an 18-point margin with a quarter to play.

Back-to-back goals to Zach Tuohy to start the fourth quarter opened up the margin to 30 points, with the second coming on an awful turnover from Liam Stocker kicking in from full back.

On a day where the Blues had only themselves to blame, it felt fitting that a skill error provided the final nail in the coffin as the Cats cruised to the final siren.

The conservative Cats dominated the territory game to lead the inside fifty count 56-38 behind the latest dominant performance from Tom Stewart, who finished with 25 disposals and 10 intercepts from half back in a best on ground performance.

Rising superstar Sam Walsh was once again a shining light for Carlton, finishing with 35 disposals and two goals, but it wasn’t enough, as the Cats’ ability to take care of the footy ultimately proved too much to overcome.

The Blues were made to pay for their inaccuracy in front of goal. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)Source:Getty Images

Tough love for old friends

Geelong pair Lachie Henderson and Zach Tuohy hardly felt the love from their old club’s fans, with each hearing loud boos on every touch of the football. Henderson (102 games) and Tuohy (120) spent a number of years at Carlton before heading to Geelong in separate trades. Henderson was playing game 200 on the night, making the reaction all the more humorous.

Rohan takes a screamer

In a game desperate for some highlights, Gary Rohan took a classic screamer down the city end of the MCG during the second quarter. Planting his knee on the shoulder of Blues big man Tom De Koning, Rohan hauled in a beauty.

Holmes redeems himself

Young Geelong utility Max Holmes blew a golden opportunity to kick his first goal in AFL football, dribbling one right from the top of the goal square in the third quarter. Making matters worse, Geelong spearhead Tom Hawkins was waiting for a handball just to his left. Redeeming himself in the dying minutes, Holmes busted clear from a pack to snap one home to the delight of his teammates.

BLUES 1.5 1.9 2.13 5.14 (44)

CATS 2.1 3.4 6.7 10.10 (70)

PITMAN’S BEST

Blues: Walsh, Weitering, Newnes, Williams

Cats: Stewart, Tuohy, Guthrie, Menegola, Henry, Henderson

GOALS

Blues: Walsh 2, McKay 2, Petrevski-Seton

Cats: Tuohy 2, Bews, Higgins, Parfitt, Ratugolea, Rohan, Smith, Stanley, Holmes

INJURIES

UMPIRES Donlon, Findlay, Broadbent

VENUE MCG

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

PITMAN’S VOTES

3 Tom Stewart (GEEL)

2 Sam Walsh (CAR)

1 Zach Tuohy (GEEL)

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