Carlton defeat GWS in AFL thriller

CALL it gutsy maybe, but a punter has experienced a monumental loss after placing a $21,000 third-quarter bet in a stunning AFL upset.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA — JUNE 11: Lachie Whitfield of the Giants celebrates a goal during the round 12 AFL match between the Carlton Blues and the Greater Western Sydney Giants at Etihad Stadium on June 11, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

YOU could call it club pride. You could also call it gutsy. Call it whatever you want, but a $21,000 bet at three quarter time is never worth the following 20 minutes of stress.

Especially if you lose.

One punter experienced a monumental loss on Sunday as GWS capitulated to Carlton in one of the most thrilling matches seen this year.

TAB revealed the bet was placed by an unknown fan as the Giants trailed the Blues by four points before the final term. What followed was an exhilarating quarter of footy as GWS scrambled to get ahead of the Blues.

The Giants were a single point ahead of the Blues in the waning minutes of the match until two behinds from Levi Casboult and Zac Fisher put the underdogs ahead.

The GWS unit managed to get the ball near their goal as the final minute ticked down, but the Blues were able to keep them away as fans bit their nails.

Carlton went up in elation as the final siren sounded, completing just fourth win of the season and rising above Hawthorn on the ladder up into 16th place.

AFL commentator Cameron Ling summed up the huge win with his comments after the game.

“This is why we love footy,” he said. “There was no way in hell Carlton were going to win today!”

One bet of $21,000 at $1.60 placed on GWS who trail by four points near three-quarter time in #AFLbluesgiants. https://t.co/sTIWG5LQtv pic.twitter.com/YQQ7ka3avB

— TABcomau Media (@tabcomaumedia) June 11, 2017

Carlton hasn’t enjoyed a stellar season this year by any means, sitting at 17th on the ladder just above the dismal Brisbane Lions for the majority of the year.

Giants have been uncharacteristically sloppy with their ball-handling and use today. #AFLBluesGiants

— Rohan Connolly (@rohan_connolly) June 11, 2017

The underdogs led at every break, fell behind early in the final quarter and then bounced back to claim a 10.11 (71) to 9.16 (70) victory. Giants midfielder Dylan Shiel’s goal at the 17-minute mark of the fourth term was the last of the match, with Zac Fisher’s late behind just enough to secure the win for the Blues.

GWS were made to pay for woeful inaccuracy in front of goal, with Toby Greene booting four behinds in the final term to finish with 0.5.

The second-placed Giants had dominated the midfield battle for most of the game but used the ball poorly and struggled in front of goal.

Milestone man Matthew Kreuzer (33 hitouts, six marks) starred for Carlton in his 150th game, taking over the ruck battle against Shane Mumford during a dominant third quarter.

Liam Jones (eight marks, 14 disposals) was an unlikely hero for the Blues in his first game for the season, racking up intercept marks while also minimising Jonathon Patton’s influence.

Nobody expected this.

The one-time key forward is off-contract but did his chances of a new deal no harm with his impressive performance.

Carlton led by four points at three-quarter time but the Giants drew first blood in the final term through Shiel.

Carlton wrestled back the lead when Liam Sumner and Jed Lamb - two of eight ex- Giants on Carlton’s list - combined for a quick response, with Matthew Wright soon adding another goal.

Shiel (32 disposals, eight clearances) capped a superb game with his second goal to cut the deficit to two points but it wasn’t enough to deny Carlton their fourth win of the season.

The Giants finished the game well-ahead in clearances, inside-50s and tackles but couldn’t make it count on the scoreboard.

Carlton went a man down midway through the first quarter when veteran Alex Silvagni suffered a lower-leg injury after diving for a tackle. The Giants had injury issues of their own, with co-captain Phil Davis visibly struggling through a suspected ankle injury.

— with AAP