Blues barely survive late Dees onslaught
The Blues escaped the Demons’ final-quarter onslaught thanks to a desperate last-minute tackle by Nic Newman and Patrick Cripps on Petracca which resulted in a free kick for holding the ball.
It came after Petracca (five goals and two goal assists) almost single-handedly willed Melbourne into the game after the Demons went scoreless for almost 40 minutes in a lopsided start to the match.
The Melbourne superstar’s left-foot snap from the pocket cut the margin to seven before Max Gawn made it a solitary point with a long-range set shot taken in a hurry to leave time to snatch the game.
A boundary throw-in 40m out from goal gave the Demons their big chance with 30 seconds left, and Gawn’s tap over his shoulder to Petracca was superb only for Cripps and Newman to bring down their explosive opponent.
Carlton entered the clash with a midfield so deep that George Hewett was relegated to the sub role despite the wet conditions he relishes, but the tough on-baller will be needed next week after Adam Cerra appeared to suffer another hamstring injury during the third quarter and was subbed out.
The Blues’ difficulty keeping the same backline on the park for consecutive weeks is also set to continue with Nic Newman facing a possible ban for a late, high bump on Alex Neal-Bullen during the third quarter.
Neal-Bullen showed no ill effects from the shoulder to the face but the incident had similarities to Kysaiah Pickett’s bump on Jake Soligo earlier this season which attracted a one-match suspension.
‘DON’T TAKE HIM OFF!’
Christian Petracca had only one effective disposal to his name five minutes into the second term, which would have made the decision to send him into attack a little more straightforward than usual.
It proved to be an inspired move as he proceeded to have three shots on goal for two majors in the space of three minutes, with the then-scoreless Dees getting within 23 points after the barrage.
Cue audible groans from Melbourne fans in the outer when Petracca was then told to come to the bench for his planned rotation.
Carlton regained control of the game in the ensuing moments and the ball lived in its forward half for the rest of the half.
JACK’S BACK
Jack Martin’s wretched run of injuries returned with a vengeance over summer to ruin his start to the season.
But the former No. 1 pick in the expensive 2012 mini-draft took less than 10 minutes to remind people of his unique skill set.
Playing for the first time since last year’s preliminary final with his right knee heavily strapped, Martin showed no signs of early tentativeness and jumped into Jake Lever’s back to reel in a big mark and goal in the opening term.
REVIEW INCOMPLETE?
The altered approach to using the score review system was well received last week, but a lengthy break to check over a Charlie Curnow snap goal ended in confusion.
With the ball back in the middle, play halted for several minutes as the same inconclusive replay angles were examined over and over to determine if Steven May had touched it off Curnow’s boot.
No communication was picked up on the broadcast between the umpires and reviewers before the umpire bounced the ball to resume play, suggesting the score check had simply hit a maximum time limit.
SCOREBOARD
BLUES 5.0, 8.2, 11.4, 12.5 (77)
DEMONS 0.0, 3.1, 7.6, 11.10 (76)
BOURKE’S BEST Blues: Weitering, Walsh, Cripps, McGovern, Acres, Pittonet. Demons: Petracca, Neal-Bullen, Viney, Gawn, May, Oliver.
GOALS Blues: Owies 3, Curnow 2, Walsh, Pittonet, Martin, McKay, De Koning, Cripps, Hewett. Demons: Petracca 5, Turner, Pickett, Fritsch, van Rooyen, Windsor, Gawn.
UMPIRES Deboy, Mollison, Stevic, Williamson
INJURIES Blues: Cerra (hamstring), Pittonet (finger). Demons: nil.
CROWD 58,472 at the MCG
BOURKE’S VOTES
3. Christian Petracca (Melb)
2. Patrick Cripps (Carl)
1. Jacob Weitering (Carl)
