Every Carlton win under Brendon Bolton in his four years as coach
They were few and far between, but Brendon Bolton’s men notched 16 wins in his time at Carlton. We look back at the best moments in the past four seasons.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Few are surprised at the end result, but many didn’t think the sacking of Brendon Bolton would come so soon.
A breakthrough win against the Bulldogs in Round 5 spurred the hopes of fans as we saw the green shoots begin to peer through the cracks.
But ultimately the heavy losses of recent weeks saw the dam wall burst wide open.
While the wins were few and far between for Bolton and Blues supporters alike, some of the victories – particularly in the early days of Bolton’s tenure – showed the signs of improvement and growth from Carton’s developing list that the club was yearning for.
Bolton tasted victory 16 times during his four year stand at the club, finishing with an ugly win percentage of 23 per cent.
With his tenure done and dusted, let’s cast our minds back to all of Carlton’s wins under Brendon Bolton:
Brendon Bolton
2016-2019
16-61 record
2019
18th (1 win, 10 losses)
Round 5
Carlton 15.11. (101) defeated Western Bulldogs 7.15. (57) at Marvel Stadium
The only win for the Blues in the past 10 months was savoured by Blues fans, their side stunning the Bulldogs with an emphatic win.
Carlton led for the entire match as supporters dared to dream of an unlikely victory, featuring the behind of the year from Harry McKay in Lance Franklin-esque fashion.
The Blues’ young brigade led by Sam Petrevski-Seton stood up in one of the best games of his career, tallying 35 touches and seven clearances, while draftee Sam Walsh collected 26 touches and booted the final goal – fittingly putting Carlton to the 100-mark for the first time since Round 11, 2016 with the final goal in the dying minutes.
His ‘W’ celebration put a smile on the face of all Carlton fans.
Sam Walsh VS The Western Bulldogs:
— Blues Footy (@BluesFooty) April 21, 2019
🔹 28 Possessions
🔹 92% Disposal Efficiency
🔹 1 Goal
🔹 9 Marks
🔹 6 Score Involvements
🔹 4 Tackles
🔹 21 Pressure Acts
🔹 2 Clearances
🔹 2 Rebound 50s#AFLDogsBlues #BoundByBlue pic.twitter.com/f3OOkM34O2
2018
18th (2 wins, 20 losses)
Round 8
Carlton 14.7. (91) defeated Essendon 10.18. (78) at the MCG
It was a wet weather special for the Blues as they knocked off arch rivals Essendon, bringing up their first win of the season and sending the Bombers into turmoil.
Leading by just 10 points at three quarter time, contested beast Patrick Cripps willed them over the line tallying 27 touches, eight clearances, seven tackles and another three Brownlow votes.
Hard nut Ed Curnow was also dominant in the coalface, finishing with a game-high 13 tackles and seven clearances.
Round 19
Carlton 12.7. (79) defeated Gold Coast 5.14. (44) at Metricon Stadium
The Blues travelled north for the battle of the wooden spoon and were down by two points at the main break.
A second half onslaught from Carlton ensued, with Brendon Bolton’s side booting a whopping seven goals to none in the third quarter to set up the win.
Superstar Patrick Cripps dominated in greasy conditions, racking up 27 disposals, eight clearances and the three Brownlow votes – in the same week he recommitted to the club until the end of 2020.
Unfortunately, few supporters would have seen the win besides the diehards, with just over 10,000 footy fans attending.
2017
16th (6 wins, 16 losses)
Round 3
Carlton 7.15. (57) defeated Essendon 6.6. (42) at the MCG
A gutsy effort from the Blues in torrid conditions got them on the board in 2017 with an unlikely victory.
Carlton trailed at quarter time, with poor kicking at goal keeping the Bombers in it until a Sam Kerridge goal sealed the deal late in the piece.
Captain Marc Murphy was inspirational for the Blues, winning 32 disposals, 10 tackles and slotting two goals.
While it was the first win of Carlton’s season, it is fondly remembered for Marc Murphy’s brilliant checkside goal from right on the boundary in the pouring rain.
Somehow, he failed to feature on the podium of the 2017 Mark of the Year.
Round 6
Carlton 15.7. (97) defeated Sydney 12.12. (78) at the MCG
Tipsters thought Sydneys winless start to the year would be broken against the lowly Blues, but Brendon Bolton’s side produced a thrilling come-from-behind triumph.
Carlton trailed by eight points at halftime before Carlton piled on 10 goals to five, goalsneak Matthew Wright kicking four majors for the match.
Star defender Sam Docherty collected a whopping 39 touches at 97 per cent efficiency across halfback, while Caleb Marchbank claimed the Round 6 Rising Star nomination for his performance in defence.
Round 7
Carlton 12.7. (79) defeated Collingwood 8.8. (56) at the MCG
The Blues spoiled Collingwood’s 125th Anniversary party, clinching a 23-point win over their old foe.
The experienced firm led the way with Marc Murphy (30 touches and five tackles) and Kade Simpson (26 touches and nine marks) winning plenty of the footy.
Draftee Sam Petrevski-Seton got the Blues’ second Rising Star nod in the space of two weeks, booting two goals and collecting 21 disposals.
Round 12
Carlton 10.11. (71) defeated GWS 9.16. (70) at Marvel Stadium
Against all odds, the Blues pulled off a nailbiting win over the Giants at home.
Ironically, the win featured four former GWS players in their line-up – Lachie Plowman, Caleb Marchbank, Liam Sumner and Jed Lamb.
A win would have seen the Giants clinch top spot on the ladder, but the giant slayers pulled off one of the upsets of the season, led by leaders Matthew Kreuzer, Bryce Gibbs and Marc Murphy.
BOLTON CLOSE TO TEARS AFTER BLUES AXE FALLS
THE TACKLE: PAIN TOO MUCH FROM BLUES’ DEEP CUTS
LIFE AFTER BOLTON: WHO ELSE CAN COACH BLUES?
Round 13
Carlton 12.11. (83) defeated Gold Coast 11.7. (73) at Metricon Stadium
Their fifth win of the season was off the back of star midfielder Bryce Gibbs, who had one of the great statistical games.
Gibbs amassed 43 disposals, 10 tackles, eight marks and two goals on his way to a mammoth 208 SuperCoach points in their victory away from home.
The Suns pegged back a 29-point deficit midway through the third quarter but the Blues held on to take it out by 10 points.
Round 22
Carlton 12.5. (77) defeated Hawthorn 10.10. (70) at Marvel Stadium
Brendon Bolton’s only win against his old side came at the end of 2017, knocking off the Hawks and ending a 14-losing streak.
Carlton led at every change in the win, holding on to clinch a seven-point victory.
Forward tagger Jed Lamb did a fantastic job on James Sicily, keeping him to 13 touches and booting two goals himself, while Blaine Boekhorst claimed 26 touches.
2016
14th (7 wins, 15 losses)
Round 5
Carlton 10.12. (72) defeated Fremantle 9.14. (68) at Domain Stadium (Subiaco)
The Blues last win against the Dockers came in Brendon Bolton’s very first win at the helm in a close tussle at Subiaco Oval.
Liam Jones kicked the winner against the cellar dweller Dockers in the dying moments to get Carlton on the board in 2016.
Round 6
Carlton 10.12. (72) defeated Essendon 8.9. (57) at the MCG
This win kickstarted Brendon Bolton’s promising record against the Bombers, with the first of his three wins over their rivals coming in his debut season
Experienced duo Dale Thomas and Bryce Gibbs led the possession tally collecting over 30 disposals apiece, driving Brendon Bolton’s men to their second win on the trot.
Round 7
Carlton 15.9. (99) defeated Collingwood 12.12. (84) at the MCG
Brendon Bolton’s stocks continued to rise with three wins in a row, edging the Pies by 15 points.
The Blues led at every change with Levi Casboult dominating up forward, clunking 11 marks and booting three majors. Bryce Gibbs was another key performer tallying 30 touches, eight tackles and three Brownlow votes, while a 21-year-old Patrick Cripps finished with 29 touches.
Round 8
Carlton 14.9. (93) defeated Port Adelaide 13.13. (91) @ Etihad
Four on the trot! It feels so long ago, but three years ago Brendon Bolton led the Blues to four straight victories.
The Blues snuck over the line by two points with Levi Casboult, Matthew Kreuzer, Patrick Cripps, Ciaran Byrne and Lachie Plowman all suffering injuries throughout the match.
Kreuzer came back onto the ground after hobbling off in the second quarter with injury, kicking the final goal to put the Blues in the lead late in the last.
Round 10
Carlton 16.8. (104) defeated Geelong 12.13. (85) @ Etihad
In one of his best wins as coach, Bolton made it four from five in 2016 with a shock victory over the Cats – who finished in the top four that year.
Again the Blues did it with men down, with Marc Murphy and Liam Sumner sidelined before halftime.
A six goal to three second quarter set up the triumph, with Andrejs Everitt bagging four goals while Dennis Armfield kicked three.
Round 11
Carlton 16.6. (102) defeated Brisbane 9.10. (64) at Etihad Stadium
Their last score of 100-plus points in a match before their sole 2019 win came in their comfortable win over the Lions, staking their claim as a finals contender.
Draftee Jacob Weitering was dominant down back with 24 touches and 14 (three contested) as one of the best men on the ground, while Sam Kerridge racked up 30 disposals and 16 marks.
The win saw them move to 10th place on the ladder with a promising win-loss record of 6-5.
Round 22
Carlton 11.12. (78) defeated Melbourne 7.16. (58)
It was a long time between drinks for Brendon Bolton – at that point in time anyway – waiting 11 weeks before notching his seventh win as Blues coach.
Carlton were led by midfield bulls Patrick Cripps (30 disposals, 13 tackles and a goal) and Bryce Gibbs (33 touches and five tackles).
The unlikely hero up forward, Dylan Buckley booted three goals for the Blues.
Wayne Carey becomes a dad again at 53
AFL legend Wayne Carey and his partner have welcomed their second child but one key detail remains up in the air.
Damning update after lewd photo leaked
Luke Sayers’ tenure as Carlton president is under increasing pressure as he refuses to address his social media scandal.