The Tackle: Champs, chumps and coaches with questions to answer
Week one of September action is done and dusted. MARK ROBINSON looks through whose legend grew and who was a let-down over week one of the finals in The Tackle.
Carlton
Carlton blasted over ‘horrible’ team calls
The Blues went bold at the selection table ahead of their elimination final clash against the Lions, but it didn’t pay off.
Docherty’s ‘full belief’ in Blues’ 2025 hopes after Lions mauling
It wasn’t the fairytale Blues fans hoped for, but Sam Docherty’s return was a bright spot on a dark night for Carlton. And the veteran himself says, it’s onwards and upwards from here.
Opening Round demons? Inside Lions’ navy Blue exorcism
Brisbane leading Carlton by a huge margin at the Gabba — it felt all too familiar. But in comparison to Opening Round, when Carlton came from 46 points down, there were some key differences. CALLUM DICK unpacks them.
Gone backwards? The brutal reality Blues must face
After surging to a preliminary final last year, Carlton was supposed to be a premiership contender. Instead, it dished up 50 minutes of the worst finals football any team has played in a long time, writes SCOTT GULLAN.
‘Disgraceful’ 50-year AFL nightmare savaged
Carlton has only just avoided the worst opening half in AFL finals history after a horribly one-sided effort against the Lions.
Player ratings: Blues crumble under finals heat
Carlton didn’t show up until late in the second term when it was too little too late. CALLUM DICK and SCOTT GULLAN rate every player from the elimination final.
‘Huge, huge risk’: Leading doc’s fears for returning Blues
How many is too many? Carlton has taken the punt on six inclusions for its elimination final against Brisbane Lions — and a leading sports doctor thinks it could come back to haunt the Blues.
Family tragedy behind the man who almost ran football
Still one of the most influential figures in football, Brian Cook has opened up on the family tragedy which shaped him and how close he came to landing the AFL’s top job.
‘Plenty of battles’: Fagan’s Blues prophecy fulfilled
Chris Fagan called it a long time before anyone else — Brisbane Lions against Carlton was about to become one of the AFL’s fiercest finals rivalries. CALLUM DICK unpacks the key battles.
‘Got a few weapons’: Blues ready for mission impossible
Carlton may be taking a risk bringing back six injured players for a sudden death final but the riskiest one actually gives coach Michael Voss the most confidence.
Blues star opens up on Petracca trade saga
Harry McKay, who was unwittingly linked with the Christian Petracca trade saga, has spoken about the impact it had on him.
Plea to umpires to keep their ‘eyes open’
The Lions are preparing for one of their stars to be targeted in what they expect will be a “fiercely contested” elimination final against Carlton.
McKay: What it’s like being ‘collateral damage’ in trade talk
Harry McKay has revealed the chaos which unfolded after he was linked with a trade to Melbourne and the silver lining he’s taken from being thrown into the Christian Petracca saga.
Robbo: Midfield concerns? Cats still have trump card to play
The Cats midfield looks like being exposed by Port Adelaide — but they still have an important card to play, writes Mark Robinson. Robbo previews who whill shape the finals series.
‘Enjoy the ride’: Dunkley’s message to Lions
There’s one Brisbane Lions player who knows what’s required to win the AFL premiership from the bottom half of the top eight.
‘Cherish it’: Blues star opens up on miracle return
Just 180 days after he suffered a third ACL injury, Carlton will roll the dice and bring back Sam Docherty for an elimination final in Brisbane.
Key defender set to return for Lions
Brisbane will be able to call on the services of a key defender in Saturday’s elimination final against Carlton.
Ultimate finals guide: The key factors that will decide every final
Who’s racing the clock, who needs to lift and what weaknesses could be exposed in week one of AFL finals? ED BOURKE runs the rule over each match in our ultimate finals guide.
‘F*** yeah, we are in’: Walsh goes inside Blues camp after Saints loss
Carlton left their fate in the hands of Port Adelaide, who luckily came through for them, as Sam Walsh gives an inside look into the rooms afterwards. Plus, an update on some key Blues.
‘Bugger it!’: Voss’s citizen’s arrest reveal
Carlton coach Michael Voss has revealed the moment he decided to chase two car alleged thieves before tackling one to the ground.
AFL slaps bottle-throwing fan with lifetime ban
The AFL has slapped the fan who threw a bottle at a goal umpire with a lifetime ban from the sport. Plus the league provided an update on the injured official’s health.
Blues make call on Owies appeal after marathon sitting
Carlton’s tribunal battle to free Matt Owies stretched past midnight and the Blues have come together on Wednesday to decide whether to take the case further.
New details in AFL coach’s citizen’s arrest
AFL legend Michael Voss hasn’t lost a step, according to a cafe owner who helped him make a dramatic citizen’s arrest on Tuesday.
AFL tribunal: Blue banned for final, Pickett’s marathon hearing
A pair of marathon tribunal hearings stretched into Wednesday morning but even a last-ditch effort from Carlton couldn’t save Matt Owies’ finals hopes. JOSH BARNES has the details.
From ‘extractor’ to ‘experimenter’: the evolution of Patrick Cripps
Patrick Cripps has come a long way since his debut in 2014. But as the Blues captain prepares to play game 200, he has become the great experimenter to get the best out of himself.
‘Eyes in’: No rest for sore Blues stars
The quest for a top-four spot is shaping all decisions at Carlton who will celebrate a massive milestone for their captain on Saturday.
The training secret helping ‘madman’ Cripps raise his game
Experts predicted Patrick Cripps’ contested playing style would end his career early. Years later he’s hitting new PBs and eyeing off another Brownlow. Carlton’s fitness boss reveals how.
How Clarko’s emotional outpouring helped spark Roos’ turnaround
A North Melbourne big man Charlie Comben has revealed fiery coach Alastair Clarkson bared his soul to the playing group over his difficult 18 months, helping spark a month of hot form.
Cripps’ best mate reveals when Blues’ skipper will move to Perth
Former Carlton footballer Ciaran Byrne sheds light on his best mate Patrick Cripps’ hunt of a Premiership and when he plans to move back to Perth.
Blues star backs Eagles coach contender
A highly rated assistant coach has a Carlton superstar’s support if he decides to put his hand up for the vacant West Coast coaching role.
Eight picks in top 40: How Tiges can build generational draft haul
Richmond are on track to finish 18th for the first time but by trading a couple of aging premiership stars, they could walk into this year’s draft with an epic hand of picks.
’Dominated’: Voss says Blues ‘let ourselves down’
Michael Voss has fired a rocket at his Carlton side after a shock loss to GWS on Saturday night, saying the team let itself down and lost its identity in the face of the orange tsunami.
‘Statement made’: How Giants veteran inspired comeback win
The Giants are all about speed in transition and relentless pressure off the ball. But against the Blues it was one of their most experienced heads who stood tall when it mattered the most.
Blues coach unfazed by brutal selection cull
An in-form Carlton pair was axed after a big win but their coach says he would be happy to make the same calls for the rest of the season.
The secret weapon behind Blues’ tribunal domination
More comfortable in a navy blue suit than a navy blue guernsey, Carlton has a secret weapon who’s already changed the game. SAM LANDSBERGER writes Peter O’Farrell gives the Blues an edge at the tribunal – and how Carlton might pay him back.
Boyd free to play after marathon tribunal hearing
Carlton’s Jordan Boyd is free to play GWS on Saturday night after the Blues successfully appealed his one-week ban for a high hit on Rhyan Mansell. See the details here.
How ‘worried’ Walsh overcame his injury fears
In January, Sam Walsh was worried about his season. Six months on, the superstar is tearing up the MCG on a weekly basis. He tells JAY CLARK about how he’s managing his injury – and his expectations.
Voss: TDK, Kennedy’s knee and what Blues are really ‘celebrating’
Despite doing it easy in the end at the MCG on Sunday, the second-place Blues have some issues. But, as coach Michael Voss explains, most of them are good problems to have.
Sad sight as Dusty subbed out for Tigers
Dustin Martin struggled with a back problem and had little impact during Richmond’s heavy AFL loss to the Blues.
‘Ridiculous’: Voss smacks down Walsh comments
Carlton coach Michael Voss has come out emphatically in defence of Sam Walsh after his involvement in a rival star’s tribunal case.
AFL fans to face unprecedented finals tickets squeeze
With some of the AFL’s biggest clubs in the frame to go deep into September, there is set to be an unprecedented rush for tickets. JAY CLARK examines the steps fans will likely have to go to.
Blues lock away another important cog
Carlton has secured a longer deal for a vital role player as an emerging Western Bulldogs forward also re-signed.
How incoming rule changes will make Blues’ trade worthless
Carlton believed it had executed a genius move in the 2023 trade period when it orchestrated a four-club trade to gain enough points to access the Camporeale twins. Incoming rule changes may mean the club gave up Paddy Dow for picks now worth nothing.
A Carlton cakewalk: How TDK, Blues exposed comical Cats
It’s official, Geelong’s 7-0 start had everyone fooled. What the Cats dished up on Friday night was laughable, writes JOSH BARNES. The Blues, on the other hand, are a very real premiership threat.
Three takeaways from De Koning’s SuperCoast feast
Tom De Koning went nuclear while Charlie Curnow justified his selection for those top SuperCoaches who traded him in this week. Relive all the action and see our SuperCoach takeaways here.
‘Red flags everywhere’: Superstar in strife
It took just 14 seconds for a massive talking point to arise in Carlton’s clash with Geelong, with a superstar under the pump.
‘Wasn’t in a good place’: Blue’s frank admission on trade angst
It wasn’t long ago Tom De Koning was one of the hottest out-of-contract players on the market. He opens up to GLENN MCFARLANE on the mental toll and becoming a key part of Carlton’s push for a breakthrough premiership.
The evolving crowd ‘connection’ helping Blues reclaim AFL power
With its team surging on the field, Carlton’s army of supporters are helping take the club back to its all-powerful glory days. SHANNON GILL speaks to CEO Brian Cook about the changed approach of Blues fans.
Blues surprise packet aims for another scalp
After being foiled by a bold double-tag in their previous clash, Carlton will lay its own trap for Geelong in a Friday night blockbuster.
Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/carlton