The Carlton Blues have come from behind to win a thriller against the West Coast Eagles.
Zach Tuohy celebrates the Blues' win on the final siren. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia
IT SEEMED Carlton had run out of legs to end an unfortunate couple of days of untimely mishaps.
Sure, the Blues had the same number of bodies as West Coast on Etihad Stadium's turf, but the imbalance was the quality and balance of the personnel.
Like lone ruckman Robbie Warnock being eventually overwhelmed by the Eagles imposing talls Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui.
And captain Marc Murphy bereft of support in the midfield battles with most of his injured onball colleagues watching helpless from their grandstand seats.
West Coast was steadily grinding down the brave if depleted Blues, particularly at the crucial centre clearances.
Carlton players swamp captain Marc Murphy after the final siren. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia
Already missing Chris Judd and Ed Curnow from the midfield group, Carlton's woes started when David Ellard pulled up sore in a calf muscle after Friday's training. And it worsened when back spasms forced Andrew Carrazzo to withdraw before the game.
That was compounded when back and hamstring issues forced rebounding defender Chris Yarran to be subbed out midway through the third quarter.
West Coast Eagles coach Adam Simpson addresses the press following his sides loss to Carlton.
The Blues seemed dead and buried when Eagles sub Dom Sheed stretched the lead to 22 points with a goal on the run to break 10 minutes of stalemate in the final quarter.
Low on energy but overloaded with determination, Carlton players kept coming, amazingly booting the last five goals to snatch the unlikely victory, 14.8 (92) to 12.17 (89).
Josh Kennedy celebrates a goal with West Coast teammates. Source: Getty Images
Jeff Garlett, Zac Tuohy and Lachie Henderson converted from set shots to breathe life before late replacement Dylan Buckley deadlocked the scores with a snap shot heading into time-on.
A brilliant run down the dockside wing by Murphy set free sub Troy Menzel to goal on the run to grab back the lead.
The desperate Eagles had chances to snatch it back - Scott Selwood hit the post with a shot on the run from 30m with 1.53 on the clock before Josh Kennedy's soccer kick in the goalsquare hit the bottom of the post with 56 seconds left.
It was a heart-thumping finale to a pulsating contest in which the first three quarters proved nothing, just the chance for everyone to catch their breath and reload for another half-hour of frenetic speed and rebound.
Carlton coach Mick Malthouse was not a happy man at three-quarter time. Source: Getty Images
Carlton came out chock-full of energy and a forward set-up loaded with height and strength provided by Jarrad Waite, Henderson and Levi Casboult.
And yet it was another tall Blue Warnock who started the scoreboard ticking with a left foot snap from a pack of players on the edge of the goal square inside the opening minute.
Carlton Blues coach Mick Malthouse addresses the press following his sides win over the Eagles.
But West Coast regrouped and started to threaten by taking over the midfield clearances.
Luke Shuey enjoyed a damaging patch late in the first quarter. He kicked two goals and won the centre clearance that finished with Cripps' accurate set shot to give the Eagles a slender lead after a fast and furious opening term.
West Coast midfielder Matt Rosa takes a classic mark against Carlton. Source: Getty Images
That fluctuating pattern continued in the second quarter with Carlton in control early, stretching the lead to 18 points before West Coast hit back late.
Garlett set the Blues alight with a set shot after a 50m penalty and then a clever left foot snap off the outside of the boot.
Carlton's five points lead at the long break should have been greater. Casboult butchered two set shots from almost the same spot only 30m out, the first fading across goals to sail out on the full and the second hooked and failing to score on the other side of the posts.
No problems for Murphy who ran onto a handpass inside the forward 50, baulked Wellingham and then swerved past Sheppard to goal from close range in a solo run that will be on the highlights reel over the weekend.
BEST
CARLTON: Murphy, McLean, Simpson, Garlett, Walker, Gibbs.
WEST COAST: Priddis, Shuey, Cox, Selwood, Masten, Yeo
VOTES
3. Marc Murphy (Carlton)
2. Matt Priddis (West Coast)
1. Brock McLean (Carlton)
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