AFL 2024: The heroes and moments behind Carlton’s record run of close victories

No team has had a run of six wins by a kick or less in VFL/AFL history, until Carlton claimed another stunning scalp over Richmond. Here’s how the Blues have done it.

No team has kept its fans on the edge like Carlton over its last six wins.

A five-point triumph at the MCG on Thursday over Richmond marked a half-dozen wins by six points or less, including two finals.

The victories haven’t all come in a row – a round 24 loss to GWS Giants and a preliminary final defeat to the Brisbane Lions punctuate the last eight games – but according to Channel 7 stats doyen Swamp, no team has ever had a margin of six points or less through six of its consecutive wins.

It’s a far cry from the two losses, by five points to Melbourne and one point to Collingwood, that saw Carlton miss out on the 2022 finals.

Here is a run down of the players and the moments that have helped the Blues get over the line in their thrilling six-pack.

ROUND 22, 2023: CARLTON 9.6 (60) def MELBOURNE 8.8 (56)

With scores level at three quarter-time, Carlton kicked the first three goals of the final term within seven minutes but didn’t score after that. Missed shots from Christian Salem and Alex Neal-Bullen proved crucial before a controversial Christian Petracca call decided things.

The moment: Overshadowed a couple of weeks later by Adelaide’s goal umpire farce, Petracca’s long bomb from outside 50 with 50 seconds to play caused a stir when it was deemed an ‘umpires call’ and a behind despite little evidence of it being touched.

The hero: Signs of things to come as Blake Acres was huge in the final minutes, marking Salem’s shot on the behind line and having several vital possessions.

Christian Petracca’s late goal was disallowed. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

ROUND 23, 2023: GOLD COAST 13.9 (87) def by CARLTON 13.13 (91)

The Suns led 48-8 early in the second term but the Blues roared back to hit the lead in red-time in the final quarter. Then Charlie Curnow was sent to defence.

The moment: Hearts were in mouths for the Carlton faithful when Noah Anderson wheeled around from 45m for a flying shot at goal that would have put the Suns ahead with 30 seconds to play, but it just missed to the left.

The hero: With two minutes to go, Curnow ran from one goalsquare to the other and positioned himself in the backline. He killed one contest and then took a huge contested mark in the goalsquare with five seconds to play to secure the win. All after booting five goals earlier in the day.

You know Charlie Curnow? He did this in the fourth quarter ✊ pic.twitter.com/tfb0jBNEnM

— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) August 19, 2023

ELIMINATION FINAL, 2023: CARLTON 11.8 (74) def SYDNEY 9.14 (68)

A classic tense final, the Blues led by 30 points at one stage before Hayden McLean bagged a goal with 25 seconds to play to cut the lead to six points.

The moment: Just as every club trains it, the Blues locked things down in the final 25 seconds, forcing two stoppages after the centre bounce. Nic Newman then took an intercept mark just before the siren.

The hero: Acres booted Carlton’s last goal of the match before he inspirationally belted the ball forward and charged more than 40m to apply a bone crunching tackle. Jack Martin also took a couple of telling marks when sent to defence.

Blake Acres celebrates kicking Carlton’s last goal of the elimination final against Sydney. Picture: Michael Klein.

SEMI FINAL, 2023: MELBOURNE 9.17 (71) def by CARLTON 11.7 (73)

In a seesawing epic, Melbourne’s last five scoring shots were all behinds as it came down to another clutch effort from Acres.

The moment: Rolling the dice from a Jack Viney turnover, Jacob Weitering goes inboard to Ollie Hollands, who kicks it to Sam Docherty just in time to play on. Acres had spotted the play and charged to the goalsquare, where he is alone and waiting for Docherty’s kick. Acres plays on and kicks the goal, putting the Blues up by one point with 56 seconds left.

The hero: As he runs from the field after his matchwinning goal, Acres can hardly move his left arm, having injured his shoulder earlier in the night. The former Saint and Docker will forever be Blues hero.

Man.

The first time felt so nice.

Blake Acres just had to do it twice. pic.twitter.com/jG9qa69AVt

— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) September 15, 2023

OPENING ROUND, 2024: BRISBANE LIONS 12.13 (85) def by CARLTON 13.8 (86)

Down by 46 points in the second term, the Blues rally and charge home in enemy territory, winning thanks to Harry McKay’s late goal.

The moment: The cause of so much talk about his set shot routine, McKay marks and coolly nails his moment from about 40m to put Carlton up by a point with 1.11 on the clock. From there, the Blues lock it down in their own back 50.

The hero: Has to be Harry. The forward’s clutch goal was his third on the night and he delivered under pressure.

ROUND 1, 2024: CARLTON 12.14 (86) def RICHMOND 12.9 (81)

The Tigers refuse to go away despite copping three injuries on the night as no goals are kicked in the final 11 minutes of play.

The moment: In the final 30 seconds, two Blues spoil each other and Shai Bolton runs through but fails to collect the ball on his way to goal. Carlton defenders somehow do enough to sit over the ball but not give away a free kick as the seconds tick down.

The hero: Up against Toby Nankervis in the ruck, Tom De Koning stands tall in the final quarter, with six disposals, four contested possessions, four inside-50s and a goal. Adam Saad also had 10 touches in the last.