In the first three quarters the Eagles kicked six goals to Carlton's none during the time-on period. The late flurry of goals kept the Eagles in the game and sent them to each break in a much better position than seemed possible minutes earlier. Two goals late in the third quarter were critical, giving the Eagles a 14-point lead at three-quarter time and some breathing space. On the boundary, Carlton coach Mick Malthouse was breathing fire as he understood the ramifications. But then the most extraordinary turnaround happened. Jeff Garlett goaled for the Blues at the 14-minute mark of the last quarter to reduce the margin to three goals. From that point on, Carlton went beserk and kicked four goals to win the game.
2. Carlton's defensive pressure and two posters won it the game.
After turning its form around against the Western Bulldogs on the back of hard tackling, Carlton continued the trend against West Coast, despite being forced to make five changes through injury (Chris Judd, Tom Bell, Ed Curnow, David Ellard and Andrew Carrazzo were out). The Blues had 24 tackles in the first quarter and led the count 46 to 19 at half-time. Bryce Gibbs led the charge with seven, much of his work unnoticed around the pack. Jeff Garlett also showed his commitment to the cause with three tackles in the first quarter. He kicked three goals, but it was his defensive efforts that lifted noticeably and his run down tackle late in the game turned the ball over. A Dale Thomas smother was also memorable. By the end of the game Carlton had recorded 71 tackles as it tired but no-one could question its intent.
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3. West Coast relies on run not height to kick goals
For all its height and talent up forward, West Coast has not been taking marks inside 50. It averages just eight a game in the first five rounds, with Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling averaging just two marks inside 50 per game. Once again in the first half they were held quiet, with Kennedy and Scott Lycett the only Eagle talls taking marks inside 50. Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui had spells in front of goal and looked dangerous but could not take marks when required. The Eagles looked more dangerous on the counter attack capitalising on Carlton turnovers to find players in space charging into the forward zone. Once again West Coast ended the game with just eight marks inside 50.
4. Carlton lucky to get away with poor decision making and skill errors at critical times
No-one could question Carlton's effort, but at vital times it was not able to execute the basics as well as it needed to and it left the door open for West Coast. Twice in the first quarter Zac Tuohy overcooked handballs to give up the ball. In the second quarter Levi Casboult kicked two set shots out on the full and Bryce Gibbs made a poor decision when he centred the ball to his captain Marc Murphy. The kick was spoiled and West Coast's Jamie Cripps kicked a vital goal. Then late in the third quarter as Carlton were beginning to regain momentum, Tuohy once again made a skill error that reversed the game's flow and was dragged. However Tuohy made amends kicking a vital goal late in the last quarter.
5. Deliberate out of bounds was twice paid without feel for the game
Twice late in the third quarter, Carlton defenders were penalised for defensive actions that would have brought resounding applause in any other era. On one occasion Carlton defender Sam Rowe tapped the ball to his left after his opponent Josh Kennedy had dropped a mark and was penalized for putting it out of bounds. His only other option would have been to keep the ball inside the boundary and open up a scoring chance for the Eagles. On the other occasion a Carlton defender under pressure inside a pack in the back 50 kicked the ball out of congestion into space and was penalised when it dribbled out of bounds. He had no other option unless he could kick on his non-preferred like Sam Mitchell.
3. West Coast relies on run not height to kick goals
For all its height and talent up forward, West Coast has not been taking marks inside 50. It averages just eight a game in the first five rounds, with Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling averaging just two marks inside 50 per game. Once again in the first half they were held quiet, with Kennedy and Scott Lycett the only Eagle talls taking marks inside 50. Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui had spells in front of goal and looked dangerous but could not take marks when required. The Eagles looked more dangerous on the counter attack capitalising on Carlton turnovers to find players in space charging into the forward zone. Once again West Coast ended the game with just eight marks inside 50.
4. Carlton lucky to get away with poor decision making and skill errors at critical times
No-one could question Carlton's effort, but at vital times it was not able to execute the basics as well as it needed to and it left the door open for West Coast. Twice in the first quarter Zac Tuohy overcooked handballs to give up the ball. In the second quarter Levi Casboult kicked two set shots out on the full and Bryce Gibbs made a poor decision when he centred the ball to his captain Marc Murphy. The kick was spoiled and West Coast's Jamie Cripps kicked a vital goal. Then late in the third quarter as Carlton were beginning to regain momentum, Tuohy once again made a skill error that reversed the game's flow and was dragged. However Tuohy made amends kicking a vital goal late in the last quarter.
5. Deliberate out of bounds was twice paid without feel for the game
Twice late in the third quarter, Carlton defenders were penalised for defensive actions that would have brought resounding applause in any other era. On one occasion Carlton defender Sam Rowe tapped the ball to his left after his opponent Josh Kennedy had dropped a mark and was penalized for putting it out of bounds. His only other option would have been to keep the ball inside the boundary and open up a scoring chance for the Eagles. On the other occasion a Carlton defender under pressure inside a pack in the back 50 kicked the ball out of congestion into space and was penalised when it dribbled out of bounds. He had no other option unless he could kick on his non-preferred like Sam Mitchell.
Kade Simpson and Chris Masten show the intensity of the contest. Picture: AFL Media
