Carlton
Hey Sydney your Goodes is good but our Betts is better
Sydney Swans
Finals football is in our Bloods: courage commitment never say die
OVERHEARD
With scores locked at 77 apiece. "It's pretty close, isn't it?" Media Box
"Watch the Juddernaut win this game." Carlton fan in the car park before the game
HERO
With a little more than three minutes remaining, the Blues trailing and the ball deep in their defensive zone, someone had to take a chance. Carlton’s Dennis Armfield took off across his goal face but didn’t count on the speed of Swan Trent Dennis-Lane. The youngster wrapped his arms around Armfield as he went to bounce and then brought the Blue to ground, earning a free kick from a tight angle. He calmly slotted his fourth major, extending the margin to 12 points.
THE (NON) DECISION
Confusion reigned in the first term when an AFL interchange steward raised his flag, the whistle was blown and the umpires were informed of an apparent infringement against Carlton. But the man in navy blue was quick to point out his men had done nothing wrong, it was simply a case of 'gee whiz, that was close'. After a brief discussion between the umps, common sense prevailed and the decision was withdrawn. What looked a certain Swans goal was avoided, much to the relief of Blues fans ... and their interchange steward.
BY THE NUMBERS
$1,000,000 + - the money Chris Judd makes per year.
10 - The possessions Chris Judd had in the third term.
Priceless - the quality of those possessions.
12 - The number of touches an aging Brett Kirk had in the first quarter. A reminder that class is permanent.
LOST IN COMMENTARY
“He’s on the ball, umpire McBurney. He’d be an interesting neighbour, I reckon.”
- Channel 7 guru Dennis Cometti on ever-vigilant field umpire Stephen McBurney
THE MOMENT THEY WILL REPLAY
The Swans looked like lame ducks for much of the second half as Chris Judd tore them apart, but at the 13th minute mark of the final term some superb tackle pressure from them and a smart handball from Jesse White saw Trent Dennis-Lane stream into an open goal and tie up the game, as the crowd roared.
THE MOMENT THEY SHOULD REPLAY
For all his greatness on Sunday it was Chris Judd's goalkicking that let him down as he missed twice running into an open goal. Once in the 12th minute of the third quarter when he went an unnecessary banana and then again in the fifth minute of the final term.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
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