Reside
Carlton has resisted a Jeremy Cameron-inspired Geelong fightback to finish a horror run in tight contests with an eight-point victory, leaving the AFL premiers winless after two rounds.
Charlie Curnow kicked 5 targets because the Blues surged clear through the third quarter on Thursday earlier than hanging on for a nervy 13.12 (90) to 12.10 (82) triumph on the MCG.
The Cats trailed by 28 factors late within the third time period however reduce it again to a single-figure margin with loads of time left as Cameron booted three final-quarter majors.
Cameron completed with 6.1 from 25 disposals and took eight marks in an excellent efficiency, however could not drag Geelong over the road.
Carlton’s first win of 2023 got here after it had coughed up leads by conceding late targets in every of their earlier three matches, together with a pair of heartbreaking defeats that value them a finals berth final yr.
“It wasn’t the monkey on our again, that is for positive. We by no means checked out it that method,” Blues coach Michael Voss stated.
“Nevertheless it needed to be that method, did not it? It simply needed to be that method.
“We needed to win actually robust in the long run and we received the correction we have been after.
“You need to have the ability to put the foot down however I do not suppose we might be too fixated with how the end was.
“We’re happy that we have been capable of take in and in a fairly crucial second we have been capable of do the proper issues on the proper time.”
Key ahead Curnow brought about the Cats complications for a lot of the night time, kicking targets in every of the primary three quarters.
On the different finish, Cameron fired however was certainly one of a number of Geelong gamers within the wars.
The spearhead had a nasty gash above his proper eye patched up and was hit within the ribs in a final-quarter contest, whereas teammate Sam De Koning was left sore from a number of collisions.
Rhys Stanley additionally took a blow to the ribs in a ruck duel, and was substituted out on the ultimate change.
The Cats have been left licking their wounds, nursing a 0-2 report for the primary time since 2015.
“We have come into this yr with a view that we’re going to be completely different and there are going to be teething issues with just a few issues,” coach Chris Scott stated.
“We have misplaced a few shut video games however there’s nonetheless loads to love, so there is a quiet confidence about us.”
The Blues’ midfield have been already lacking Sam Walsh (again) and George Hewett (hand) earlier than Patrick Cripps had his affect restricted by Mark Blicavs within the second time period.
However Cripps (27 disposals), Matthew Kennedy, Ed Curnow and Blake Acres (all 26) stood up, with dashing defender Adam Saad (29) additionally influential.
Small forwards Matthew Owies (three targets), Jesse Motlop and Zac Fisher (one every) all complemented Curnow.
Owies held his nerve to kick the Blues’ ultimate purpose of the night time from a set shot, holding off Geelong’s surge.
Cameron Guthrie (25 disposals), Isaac Smith (23), Max Holmes (23) and Patrick Dangerfield (22) have been among the many Cats’ chief ball-winners and Ollie Henry kicked two targets.
-AAP
