AFL Round 11 Carlton v GWS: All the news, analysis and fallout as the Blues fall to 4-7

The game was in Carlton’s grasp a number of times at Marvel Stadium on Saturday afternoon – but the Blues, again, failed to make it count. Is that season over?

It is going to take some of Michael Voss’ finest coaching from here.

Carlton’s 2025 season is on the canvas after a weakened GWS sunk it further behind the ledger on Saturday afternoon.

The Blues regularly had the game in their grasp but failed to apply any realistic scoreboard pressure and were beaten heavily on the outside.

Giants’ skipper and milestone man Toby Greene was the biggest thorn for Carlton, running bruise free through stoppages and inside 50.

Greene finished his 250th game with a match-defining three goals and 28 disposals.

The Blues looked livelier when Voss swung defender Mitch McGovern forward but he’ll need more moves like that to steer the now 4-7 Blues to September.

Milestone man Toby Greene celebrates in front of Blue Ollie Hollands. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

Voss says featuring in September is “absolutely” still the objective but after another disappointing loss – it’s not the first item on his agenda.

“Absolutely, for us, it’s about impact in the season and I think we’ve got enough there to suggest that we can get after our second half of our season,” he said.

“But we’ve also got some challenges we need to take care of, drifting into September right now is – as you can imagine – probably the furthest thing from my mind.

“It’s taking a break, getting a rest, coming back together, putting the problem on the table and solving it together collectively as a group.

“Resetting ourselves, bringing new energy and getting after it – and that’s what we’ll do.”

THAT’S A COACH KILLER

It took just 20 seconds of slack defending to put a dent in Carlton’s strong third quarter.

The Blues had trimmed the Giants’ then game-high lead of 17 back to single figures with less than a minute left on the clock.

But Carlton failed to lock the Giants down at the centre bounce and then inside 50, leading to forward Jake Riccardi storming into an open goal.

SAFE OR SCARED?

The role of an AFL umpire has become increasingly difficult in the wake of the Lachie Schultz concussion incident.

GWS Giant Toby Bedford was wincing in pain and holding his right collarbone when the central umpire stopped play in the middle of the ground.

But, much to the disdain of the Carlton supporters at Marvel Stadium, Bedford eventually shrugged it off and attended to the next stoppage.

Former Geelong player and agent Liam Pickering was scathing of the hold up on match-day radio.

“You don’t stop the game because someone’s got a bruised shoulder,” he told SEN.

Leek Aleer takes to the skies. Picture: James Wiltshire/AFL Photos

AIR ALEER

He’s the competition’s best ring-in.

GWS defender Leek Aleer reinforced why he belongs at AFL level with a strong showing against Carlton’s potent tall forwards on Saturday.

The third-year Giant has rarely played a bad game on the senior stage but has been stuck behind star defensive duo Sam Taylor and Jack Buckley.

Aleer showed composure when he had the ball and was a constant threat in the air.

He’s played just 13 games for GWS but it’s easy to see why there’s interest in Aleer from both the Giants and their rivals.

FOR WALLSY

It was a touching tribute from the big Blue.

Superstar goalkicker Charlie Curnow picked the perfect time to add to his highlight reel as the Blues celebrated legend Robert Walls.

The Blues fans started to applaud the late Walls at 12.42PM and quickly rose a decibel when Curnow kicked his side’s first goal of the afternoon.

Curnow received a handball inside the centre square and off one step launched it over the goal line.

It was a great reward for Curnow after his strong start – and an even better tribute to ‘Wallsy’.

The crowd was in applause to honour Robert Walls.

Charlie Curnow honoured in his own style with one from outside 50.

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Where to now for Michael Voss? Picture: James Wiltshire/AFL Photo

Scoreboard

CARLTON 5.1 6.6 9.9 12.10 (82)

GWS 5.2 8.4 12.5 17.8 (110)

GOALS

Blues: Curnow 3, Fogarty 2, Cripps, Hollands, White, Docherty, Motlop, Lord, Cerra

Giants: Hogan 4, Greene 3, Riccardi 3, Brown 3, Cadman 2, Ward, Briggs

BEST

Blues: Docherty, Cripps, Walsh

Giants: Greene, Ash, O’Halloran, Briggs

INJURIES

Blues: nil.

Giants: nil.

TYLER LEWIS VOTES

3 Toby Greene (GWS)

2 Sam Docherty (Carl)

1 Lachie Ash (GWS)