Walsh stars as Blues hang tough against Hawks

As both Carlton and Hawthorn regularly turned the ball over in the third term at the MCG, AFL great Wayne Carey best summed up the on-field events. “Both teams are doing their best not to win this,” Carey said during the Triple M feed.

There was no questioning the commitment and intensity of both clubs but the manner in which the ball was used highlighted why the rebuilding Hawks, already “treading water”, will not make the finals and why the Blues appear unlikely to. Supporters shook their heads when a Luke Breust mis-kick for goal was marked by Jacob Koschitzke in the goal-square, only for the Hawk to dumbfound everyone by playing on. He was tackled immediately – a certain goal missed.

In the end, the Blues, having coughed up a 23-point lead in the second term to trail by four points early in the third, posted their fourth win of the season, this time by 23 points, and only their second against the Hawks since 2005.

Sam Walsh, allowed to roam free, had 30 disposals, including 13 in the third term, while co-captain Patrick Cripps had 25, including 18 handballs. Ed Curnow was vigorous, Liam Jones and Jacob Weitering were robust in defence, while former skipper Marc Murphy was influential in the third term with eight touches and a goal after the siren, ensuring a 19-point lead despite repeated wasted inside-50 opportunities.

Harry McKay, having re-aggravated a shoulder injury against Melbourne last week, did not appear overly comfortable marking above his head but sealed the win with a 55m bomb with under five minutes remaining.

Hawk James Worpel had nine of his 24 touches in the opening six minutes of the third term while Tom Mitchell had 44 disposals, including eight clearances, but many failed to generate crucial yardage in a contest which degenerated after the main break but saw Jaeger O’Meara leave the field after a heavy clash with Lachie Plowman.

The Blues had enjoyed an almost four-goal lead at the 18-minute mark of the second term when former basketballer Matthew Owies completed a set shot but the Hawks finished strongly. When Breust twice converted, and late inclusion Daniel Howe, having replaced Liam Shiels (neck soreness), delivered a stunning goal just as the quarter expired – he snapped from the pocket as the siren sounded with the ball bouncing over Weitering and dribbling through – the Hawks were back in the contest.

The Blues had breathing space heading into the final term but strong work by Curnow and Jones helped Carltons hang on.

New look

Co-captain Sam Docherty has made a name for himself as an attacking half-back, where his ability to play behind the ball and rebound has been an important part of the Blues’ set-up. However, he found himself in a new role, beginning at half-forward and then shifting to a wing alongside Hawk Tom Phillips. The move was an early success, when he had eight touches, including three inside 50s, as the Blues enjoyed a 10-point lead at the first change. Docherty’s move allowed Zac Williams to go back to half-back, having struggled to show he belonged in the midfield. Williams appeared far more comfortable in that role with 26 touches. He was particularly important after half-time. He was also rewarded with his maiden goal for his new club, converting from 50m on the run in the second term after a slick handball from Walsh.

Ruck and roll

The Hawks hope debutant Ned Reeves can be their next generation ruckman and the 211cm beanpole showed much promise against Marc Pittonet and Tom De Koning. He can give the Hawks a “predictable ball drop”, as teammate James Sicily said pre-match, something his midfielders have craved. A strong mark in traffic across half-back in the second term, which led to a Mitch Lewis goal, also added to his confidence. Skipper Ben McEvoy was initially sent forward, rather than into defence as had been expected, but still spent plenty of time in the ruck.

Two of the best

Breust and Eddie Betts have been two of the premier small forwards of the past decade and they reinforced why on the cusp of half-time. Breust had two goals in as many minutes, the second having found himself front and centre of a pack, while Betts did much the same when he sharked a McKay spilt mark minutes later and stormed through for a goal.

Best:
Carlton: Walsh, Curnow, Cripps, Williams, Pittonet, Jones
Hawthorn: Mitchell, Breust, Worpel, Hartigan

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