Blues power past Hawks but sweat on Weitering report

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Carlton have kept alive their faint finals hopes with a 60-point demolition of Hawthorn at the MCG on Sunday, but will sweat on star defender Jacob Weitering’s report for an off-the-ball strike.

The match was as good as over at half-time, with the Blues holding the Hawks goalless while opening a 50-point lead, before Sam Mitchell’s youth-laden side belatedly showed some fight in a five-goal third term.

Jacob Weitering marks during the clash with Hawthorn but was reported for a strike on Lloyd Meek.Credit: Getty Images

That was also the quarter when Weitering was reported for a strike on Hawthorn ruckman Lloyd Meek, who went to ground after the big Blue hit him high a second time, but he was unconcerned after the match.

“I’ve never been placed on report before,” Weitering told Fox Footy post-match. “I felt like it was open hand on the chest, so we’ll just see what happens later on in the week. I play the game pretty hotly contested, so we’ll just see and worry about next week.”

Carlton cut the Hawks to shreds in a dominant first half, where Blake Acres, Sam Walsh and Adam Cerra all racked up double-digit touches by quarter-time and David Cuningham (two goals) and Patrick Cripps were also prominent.

Hawthorn’s defenders looked lost in captain James Sicily’s suspension absence, with the Blues repeatedly taking uncontested marks inside 50, whereas the Hawks struggled to find any avenue to goal at the other end.

Lloyd Meek and Jack Silvagni square up in a ruck contest.Credit: AFL Photos

Weitering kept Mitch Lewis to two disposals and zero marks at half-time – with Mitch McGovern double-teaming the star Hawthorn forward every time he could – while the recalled Fergus Greene failed to kick a goal to that stage from his three set shots.

The Hawks remain desperate for a second tall marking option in attack, which is sure to be a priority in the off-season, especially after they failed to kick a goal from 21 inside 50s in the first half.

They dumped Jacob Koschitzke to the VFL this weekend, while they sent usual-defender Denver Grainger-Barrass forward at second-tier level for Box Hill, and he kicked four goals, so he might be the next cab off the rank.

But this was a crucial percentage-booster for Michael Voss’ Carlton, who are only a game-and-a-half outside the top eight despite some serious struggles since an unbeaten opening month. They have won back-to-back games for the first time since stringing together three straight from rounds two to four.

Harry McKay celebrates a goal with Patrick Cripps.Credit: Getty Images

Encouragingly, key forwards Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay also dominated aerially, with McKay particularly good with 2.3 from 19 disposals, eight marks, five tackles and 11 score involvements. Curnow was subbed out of the match in the final term after his third goal.

Ex-Docker Cerra has been the Blues’ best player this season, and amassed 27 disposals, two goals and six on Sunday to star again, while Cripps (28), Sam Docherty (26) and Walsh (25) were also excellent.

There was little to like for Hawthorn, although Harry Morrison and Josh Ward, two of five inclusions this week, battled against the flow for most of the day.

The Hawks have shown some promising glimpses at times this year but have now lost eight games by at least 54 points, including in consecutive rounds after last week’s 67-point hiding from Gold Coast.

Hawks’ goalless history

Hawthorn’s impotent opening half on Sunday created unwanted history, failing to kick a goal to half-time of a match at the MCG for just the second time.

Hawthorn players walk from the ground.Credit: Getty Images

The only other time the Hawks were goalless at that stage of a match at the home of Australian football was against Melbourne in round 17, 1927, which was their third season in the competition.

They kicked only five behinds in a forgettable first two quarters despite having 21 inside 50s – only eight fewer than Carlton – with coach Sam Mitchell burying his head in his hands. Fergus Greene had three set shots for two behinds, with the other rushed through.

Star spearhead Mitch Lewis, who was well held by Jacob Weitering, who had Mitch McGovern’s support, finally ended the drought almost six minutes into the second half.

Some Chad Wingard magic created the opportunity, expertly keeping the ball in play, then soccering the Sherrin in mid-air towards Greene, who dished a handball to Lewis in the goal square.

CARLTON 3.4 8.7 11.10 17.10 (112)
HAWTHORN 0.3 0.5 5.8 7.10 (52)

GOALS
Carlton: Martin 3, C. Curnow 3, Cuningham 2, Cerra 2, McKay 2, Owies, Docherty, Acres, Silvagni, Fogarty.
Hawthorn: Breust 2, Greene 2, Lewis 2, Macdonald.
BEST
Carlton: McKay, Cerra, Weitering, Cripps, Acres, Docherty, C. Curnow.
Hawthorn: Ward, Morrison, Newcombe, Day, Weddle, Worpel.
REPORTS
Carlton: Weitering, for striking Meek in the third quarter.
Hawthorn: None.
UMPIRES Stephens, Williamson, Mollison, McGinness.
CROWD 66,337 at the MCG.

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