AFL 2015: Carlton defeats Melbourne by 23 points at the MCG in Round 21

CARLTON ended the week from hell with a morale boosting victory over Melbourne at the MCG.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 23: Patrick Cripps of the Blues celebrates a goal during the round 21 AFL match between the Carlton Blues and the Melbourne Demons at Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 23, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

THE Rising Star battle was supposed to be the main attraction.

In a largely meaningless Round 21 contest between two stragglers, the first time Carlton poster boy Patrick Cripps and Melbourne goliath Jesse Hogan shared an AFL venue dominated the pre-game chatter.

Who would elevate himself as favourite for this year’s gong? Clearance machine Cripps or manchild full-forward Hogan?

By quarter-time that question suddenly held little importance for Demons fans, who had been banished back to football hell.

Instead the all-to familiar query: “Just how bad are these Demons” was on the lips of the 33,962 at the MCG.

And, more importantly, after 42 games have they actually improved under messiah coach Paul Roos?

When Roos charged to the huddle at the first break his side trailed the bottom-placed Blues by five goals having laid five tackles. Five.

Tom Bell during Carlton’s impressive first half.

Demons great Garry Lyon said pre-game: “Melbourne simply have to win or they run the risk of going backwards”.

Flip the calendar backwards 500 days and the rebuilding Melbourne — in Roos’ fourth game in charge — stunned the Blues by 23 points.

James Hird saved Roos from the blowtorch after last week’s 98-point embarrassment.

Expect that to shine brightly today, regardless of the spirited third quarter.

The Dees clawed a 53-point margin back to just 17 points in the final term, but the initial response to last week’s humiliation stings.

On the flip side, the Blues were brilliant. In Chris Judd’s tribute game, they dared to run, use the corridor and take on the Demons from the open bounce.

Landing early blows seemed to drain Roos’ side’s belief as caretaker coach John Barker celebrated win No.3.

As for Hogan v Cripps?

The Carlton kid was unstoppable, swiftly shaking a Bernie Vince tag. A clever soccer goal excited the faithful in the first quarter while his part in Matthew Kreuzer’s third major was breathtaking.

Cripps received a handball on the burst, spun around in the centre circle, sold some candy, waited and released to the ruckman who launched a goal from 50m on the run in the best Carlton passage for the season.

Patrick Cripps and Matt Kreuzer inspired Carlton’s victory over Melbourne.

Cripps’ footy brain — namely, his ability to wait for the smartest option — is freakish.

And when the Demons charged in the final term it was Cripps who charged forward to mark unopposed and whack the nail in the coffin.

Anyone who doubted Barker’s abrupt dismissal of tanking queries should watch the replay of that goal celebration.

Hogan struggled and was held goal-less for the first time in his 18th match but, in fairness, Wayne Carey would have struggled with Sunday’s midfield supply as Melbourne managed just seven goals against a team conceding 16 on average.

Billy Stretch showed promising signs and Viv Michie produced his best outing but there was little else for Roos to like.

Blues late inclusion Matthew Watson kicked an early goal and laid a brilliant chase late to affect a turnover to soften the Bronx cheers as he fights for his career, while Dylan Buckley’s dancing feet and sheer pace continues to excite.

As for Carlton’s now-mature prized picks? No. 1 selection Marc Murphy ignited the dominance before hurting his shoulder while No. 1 pick Kreuzer and No. 2 Andrew Walker enjoyed their best games for the season.

A senior coach will be unveiled this week and another top-two selection is on the way.

Over to you, SOS.

CARLTON 12.6 (78)

MELBOURNE 7.13 (55)

GOALS

Carlton: A Walker 4 M Kreuzer 3 A Everitt 2 P Cripps 2 M Watson.

Melbourne: B Newton C Dawes J Garlett J Grimes J Watts M Gawn N Jones.

Best: Carlton: P Cripps M Kreuzer A Walker J Tutt E Curnow. Melbourne: T McDonald J Grimes N Jones B Newton.

Umpires: Sam Hay, Heath Ryan, Nicholas Foot.

Official Crowd: 33,962 at MCG.

Originally published as AFL 2015: Carlton defeats Melbourne by 23 points at the MCG in Round 21