Fyfe faces umpire scrutiny as Blues overcome slow start to down Dockers

When Matthew Cottrell converted a set shot from 40 metres inside the opening 10 minutes of the second term at Marvel Stadium on Saturday, the Blues had a staggering 26-8 advantage in inside 50s, yet still trailed Fremantle by three points. Go figure.

Cottrell had supplied the Blues only their second goal. The Dockers, defending with everything they had, had three, but the dam wall was finally about to burst. The Blues booted four goals to one for the term to take a 15-point lead into the main break, an advantage the Dockers, second on the ladder to this point, were unable to overcome in what became a 31-point loss.

Matthew Cottrell, left, and Carlton teammate Nic Newman. Credit:Getty Images

The disappointment was compounded by the scrutiny skipper Nat Fyfe is likely to receive for putting his hand on the chest of umpire Robert O’Gorman as Fyfe verbally remonstrated with Carlton players, including Nic Newman, after the three quarter-time siren sounded. Fyfe had been pushed in the back by Cottrell as he made his way to the Dockers’ huddle, and could argue he extended his arm to rebalance himself.

However, the AFL has made it clear through the six-week suspension Toby Greene was handed last season that it does not want any physical contact between umpires and players.

Nat Fyfe makes umpire contact against Carlton.Credit:Fairfax Media

The Blues’ 10th win of the season ensured they are a legitimate top four, even premiership, candidate, with the Saints to come on Friday night. For the Dockers, they still have work to do to have success in Melbourne.

The Blues made the mistake of bombing long in the first term. They changed their approach in the second, with midfielders Sam Walsh (game-high 40 disposals, seven clearances), George Hewett (27 and 6), Matt Kennedy (25 and 8) and Patrick Cripps (22 and 8) busy, and key forwards Charlie Curnow (four goals) and Harry McKay (two goals), along with the industrious Jack Silvagni, beginning to have an impact. A 37-18 edge in inside 50s, a 24-15 edge in clearances and a 38-22 edge in tackles had the Blues in control. But not enough to yet torpedo this hard-edged Dockers’ unit.

Andrew Brayshaw and Hayden Young found plenty of the ball, and they tested the Blues’ patch-work defence. Missing seven key defenders, Lewis Young, sent to Rory Lobb, and Brodie Kemp, on Matt Taberner, held sway, their efforts a testament to their skills and Michael Voss’ overall system, with players rolling back.

The Dockers fought hard in the third term, but their spirits were dampened when Cottrell used his pace to break free on the wing, complete a give and go with Corey Durdin, and goal.

Fyfe, who spent significant time in the midfield, was goalless and only had 11 touches.

Blues ruckman Tom De Koning had an intriguing battle with Sean Darcy, while Sam Docherty provided drive from half-back in a season he will never forget.

Wasteful Blues

The Blues were left to lament their inefficiency and long kicking (19-7 inside 50s advantage in the first term) when they failed to convert a dominant start, particularly when the ball was all but parked inside their attacking 50 for the opening five minutes. The organised Dockers responded with two goals, the second a 50m set shot from Travis Colyer. And when the Blues did appear to have their first goal, a quick kick from Kennedy was reviewed and found to have been touched. McKay, having botched two attempts, made it third-time lucky when he snapped successfully from the boundary line to ensure the Blues had a major on board.

Milestone man

The Blues, however, made their run in the second term. Jack Newnes had a moment to relish when McKay marked at half-forward and, rather than going down the line, found Newnes on the opposite flank. The former Saint duly converted from about 40m, with teammates rushing to embrace him. The celebration was fitting, for it was Newnes’ 200th match. The clever midfielder-forward had played 155 matches with the Saints.

Docker shocker

Fyfe, with ball in hand at centre half forward and just outside 50, left everyone baffled in the third term when he chose to head towards the left pocket, the ball dribbling over the boundary. The kick was adjudged deliberate, as there wasn’t one Blue or Docker in the vicinity. Why he didn’t just go direct was mystifying.

Man of the moment

David Mundy entered the top 10 for most AFL matches played with game No.366, equalling Bernie Quinlan. Only Brent Harvey (432), Michael Tuck (426), Shaun Burgoyne (407), Kevin Bartlett (403), Dustin Fletcher (400), Robert Harvey (383), Simon Madden (378), Craig Bradley (375) and Adam Goodes (372) have played more. However, it was quiet day for the hard-running midfielder, finishing with only 13 touches.

Best
Carlton: Walsh, Cripps, Curnow, Kennedy, Docherty.
Fremantle: Brodie, Brayshaw, Pearce, Young.

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