Carlton record stunning win over Sydney as the Swans slump to 0-6
CARLTON has shocked Sydney at the MCG to storm to its second win for the season, sparked by top performances from Matthew Wright and Alex Silvgani, who limited Lance Franklin’s influence.
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IT WAS the running joke all summer.
Little Matthew Wright winning the Carlton goalkicking with only 22 majors.
Insert snigger.
On Saturday the former Crow-turned-Blues’ bargain-buy kicked four — three of them in a match-winning third quarter rampage — to deliver the knockout blow to Sydney’s season.
Carlton’s enthusiasm, hunger and desire not only overwhelmed the Swans, but perhaps proved there’s an exciting light at the end of a long tunnel for this famous club.
They won 15.7 (97) to 11.12 (78), kicking 10 goals to five after half-time to condemn last year’s grand finalist to 0-6.
If Wright was the gag of the off-season, the recruitment of veteran Alex Silvagni from Fremantle wasn’t far behind.
But the man known as “ASOS” around Princes Park had a sparkling debut in navy blue despite being given the toughest assignment on the ground — stopping Lance Franklin.
He copped a shove to the face from “Buddy” before the first bounce which sparked a melee, but the former Docker then set about letting his footy be his mode of revenge.
Franklin had 19 disposals, most well up the ground, and kicked only one goal, which came from general play.
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It might have been the best eight-possession game so far this season, with Silvagni’s ability to win or halve dangerous one-on-one contests against Franklin an enormous factor in the result.
When Silvagni caught Brandon Jack holding the ball while running into an open goal the Blues supporters rose in a standing ovation.
“He was super. He’s one the toughest players I’ve seen,” Patrick Cripps said.
“At training you’ve got to be careful. He goes in bloody hard. It’s exciting, it’s a young list and we’ll continue to grow.”
Jacob Weitering played his best game as a forward, despite playing hurt for much of the second half. He led up the ground to collect 17 touches and eight marks — two contested — to provide a valuable link-up option.
Whatever goalkicking coach Sav Rocca is being paid, Carlton should double it. Rocca’s pupil Levi Casboult kicked two goals, both in the second term from three big contested marks, and was a constant menace for the Swans defence.
Sam Docherty (39 touches), Kade Simpson (31) and Marc Murphy (31) were the usual suspects, but there were more signs from Charlie Curnow (14 disposals, six marks, one goal) Sam Petrevski-Seton, Tom Williamson and Zac Fisher.
Given Weitering’s injury, losing Jack Silvagni in the second quarter to a shoulder problem and Zac Fisher also benched early, this was just a significant win for Carlton as it was a significant loss for Sydney.
The Swans, like Fremantle last year, are a shell of the side that reached the pointy end of the season the year before.
Fourteen of last year’s Grand Final side meekly surrendered to the Blues. On a day when Hawthorn was thrashed by St Kilda, it was another reminder of how quickly this competition can change.
VOTES
3. Matthew Wright
2. Alex Silvagni
1. Kade Simpson
BEST
Carlton: M.Wright, A.Silvagni, K.Simpson, P.Cripps, S.Docherty, C.Curnow, J.Weitering
Sydney: I.Heeney, L.Parker, J.Lloyd, J.Kennedy
Originally published as Carlton record stunning win over Sydney as the Swans slump to 0-6
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