Blues overrun Swans in stunning comeback

The Blues came from 39 points down to snap a two-game losing run and overrun the Swans at a wet Metricon Stadium.

Matthew Cottrell of the Blues is congratulated by teammates after kicking the winning over Sydney Picture: Getty Images

Where there’s life, there’s hope.

Carlton would be forgiven for adopting it as their mantra after keeping their AFL finals hopes alive – albeit mathematically – with a come from behind five-point win over Sydney on Tuesday night.

The Blues (7-8 record) came from 39 points down to snap a two-game losing run and overrun the Swans 8.9 (57) to 8.4 (52) at a wet Metricon Stadium, a victory sealed by Matthew Cottrell in the dying minutes.

Sydney’s Lewis Taylor had a chance to level the scores in the final minute from a free kick off a dubious high tackle call on Patrick Cripps but sprayed the shot as the Blues celebrated.

Carlton are now one win outside the top eight with two matches remaining.

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The Blues may have left their finals push late but there were finally encouraging signs as they defied slippery conditions and an at times watertight Swans defence to topple their bogy side.

Sydney looked like the team to beat after back-to-back wins but it was the Blues who notched just their third victory in 13 games against the Swans.

It was stirring stuff but the Blues may still need a miracle to end a seven-year finals drought ahead of their last two games against last-placed Adelaide and top three outfit Brisbane.

Remarkably Sydney kicked the first seven goals with their back six standing tall led by former forward Tom McCartin as the Swans flew to a 39-point lead in the second term.

Carlton looked like they couldn’t buy a major early as they peppered the goal square only to be kept goalless until midway in the second quarter.

Sydney’s early defensive desperation was summed up by Aliir Aliir when his diving effort in the first term denied Carlton an opening major by Marc Murphy, with the score review ruling the Swans defender had touched the Sherrin on the line.

But the heavens opened in the second term at Metricon Stadium – and so did the floodgates for the Blues.

Inspired by captain Cripps, the Blues finally registered their first major before booting eight of the next nine goals as alarm bells rang for Sydney.

Carlton cut the deficit to 16 points by halftime and trailed by one kick at the final break as Levi Casboult stood tall in the forward line.

The Blues locked up the scores at 51-all when Harry McKay kicked truly in the first minute of the final term then incredibly the scores remained level for 18 minutes before Cottrell stood tall.

It may have been heart attack stuff for coach David Teague but at least Carlton finally ended their frustrating run of second half fade-outs against the Swans.

Carlton had blown big opportunities to push their top eight cause in their last two games, leading at three quarter-time against arch rivals Collingwood and Greater Western Sydney only to be convincingly overrun in both.

They managed only four second half points against the Magpies and kicked a paltry 1.6 against the Giants after leading GWS by 15 points at the final break.

Despite their improvement this season the Blues’ goal kicking firepower still had a question mark hanging over it after being held goalless in four of their past six quarters.

Although armed with a huge height advantage inside 50m over sides, Carlton limped into their Sydney clash with only two wins from their last six games including a Jack Newnes after-the-siren miracle goal against Fremantle.

But they ended their worrying trend in spectacular fashion by breaking the Swans’ hearts on Tuesday night.

There may be no rest in sight for Blues skipper Patrick Cripps.

But there may be some respite after Carlton finally offered their battered captain some assistance on the Gold Coast.

Teague ruled out resting the All-Australian any time soon in the final stretch of games despite their influential leader clearly being hampered last round by a cork and lingering knee issues.

Instead Teague asked his side to rally around their chief ball winner with their slim finals hopes still flickering despite the season appearing to be taking its toll on Cripps following an uncharacteristically quiet last round display against GWS.

Cripps again started quietly against the Swans, with one touch in the first term.

Yet he came alive in the second, kicking an inspiring goal as he proved the difference to finish with 17 possessions, 10 contested touches and five clearances.

NCA Newswire