Match Report

How Carlton’s Round 19 win played out.

By Cristian Filippo, Carlton Media

6 hrs
ago

CARLTON has recorded a much-awaited win, with youngsters standing up and the Blues fighting as one in an eight-point win over Melbourne.

In yet another nail-biter between these two sides, the Blues led for nearly the entirety of the contest, holding firm in the closing stages of the 12.6 (78) to 10.10 (70) win.

On a night where senior heads and exciting youngsters both stood up, Ashton Moir produced a career-high four goals while Patrick Cripps led beautifully with 29 disposals and eight clearances (both game-highs).

Charlie Curnow set the tone early with a bright start, recording Carlton’s first two goals as the Blues burst out of the blocks with three of the first four on the night.

With Jake Melksham never far from him, Jacob Weitering stood up well under increasing Melbourne pressure, as the Demons settled into the game and drew within a point.

As is always the case between these two sides, it was a contested start early – Francis Evans had a strong first quarter in that regard, contributing three tackles while also amassing six disposals and a direct goal assist.

In the first term, 100 per cent of Carlton’s score came from turnover, with the recently re-signed Matthew Carroll leading the way with four first-quarter intercepts before Adam Cerra converted after a 50-metre penalty to give the Blues an eight-point lead.

Carlton’s clearance game got going in the second term, allowing to dominate time in forward half with 10 of the first 13 clearances – however, they were unable to make their territorial dominance count.

Ashton Moir looked increasingly dangerous as a forward option with Curnow playing higher up the ground to great effect. The Blues were going direct – at one stage averaging four disposals per inside 50 – but that rate dried up as Melbourne once again settled into the contest.

The Blues defended bravely, with Lachie Cowan in particular producing some strong moments to restrict the Dees to just three goals from six scoring shots at half-time as Moir recorded his third of the half to open up a 19-point lead.

However, that ascendancy was wiped just 12 minutes into the third term, with the Dees coming out well on top and dominating possession to kick four goals and take the lead for the first time.

Evans produced a telling set shot to give the Blues the lead back, before committing himself to a contest with Steven May which saw the first-year Blue concussed and unable to take any further part in the game.

Moir made sure to make the moment count with his first major, before Curnow found Flynn Young who snuck home his first major at the elite level – with the celebrations, unsurprisingly led by Curnow, matching the moment.

Lachie Cowan and Matthew Carroll both went back with the flight as the Blues’ commitment to the contest was clear, settling after a nervy start to the second half to take a 10-point lead into the final term.

A Bayley Fritsch goal inside the opening minute brought the margin back to a kick, but as he’s done so many times before, an effort of pure determination from Sam Docherty won a holding-the-ball tackle with the set shot giving the Blues some breathing room.

Minutes later, Matthew Carroll joined Flynn Young’s first-goal gang to the delight of his teammates and fans for a 17-point lead.

There’s always late drama when these two meet, and the 2025 edition was no exception when the Dees drew within a kick. The man for the moment was Curnow, producing his third from long-range to give the Blues a much-welcomed four points.

CARLTON             4.2     6.4     9.5      12.6 (78)
MELBOURNE       3.0     3.3     7.7     10.10 (70)

GOALS
Carlton: Moir 4, Curnow 3, Carroll, Cerra, Docherty, Evans, Young