Michael Voss happy with Carlton’s fight as Blues fall to Hawthorn

The Blues’ horror start to season 2025 has continued, but coach Michael Voss said he was ‘happy with our fight’ in a dour loss to Hawthorn which leaves them on the back foot.

Carlton coach Michael Voss said Hawthorn’s ability to execute in moments was the difference between his side winning and losing on Thursday night.

The Blues had as many scoring shots as the Hawks but kicked the reverse score to go down by 20 points.

Voss was happy with Carlton’s fight in the match but couldn’t ignore how the Hawks had more polish when the game was on the line.

“They turned up their intensity a bit, started asking questions, but I was pretty happy with our fight,” he said.

Michael Voss walks off after the Blues’ second loss in as many weeks. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

“There was a fair bit of determination within our group throughout the night.

“I don’t know, moments, take a contested mark, maybe there’s an inside 50 we don’t quite hit or a goal we don’t quite finish.

“Often in those games that’s what it comes down to, they come down to moments, there was plenty of swings in that game.

“There was some swings that went in our favour and some that went in Hawthorn’s favour, both teams were able to swing it back.

“I can’t ignore they were able to execute for a bit longer at times and it was probably the difference in the end.”

Spearhead Charlie Curnow had a quieter night against Hawthorn defender Josh Battle, collecting just five disposals and finishing goalless.

Despite Curnow’s lack of impact, Voss was pleased with how the two-time Coleman Medal winner competed.

“He competed really well, where he’s at and in terms of his prep, it’s obviously his first game coming back in,” he said.

“Our commentary is always around Charlie being able to compete forward of the ball, it’s up to you to decide what you value in Charlie.

“If he kicks goals, we’ve only got one focal point, if he doesn’t kick goals, how come he can’t have an influence on the game?

“He brought the ball to ground, I will let you guys decide which way you want to go with that but for us he’s a valuable teammate and we love having him in our team.

“He gave us a focal point when we needed and he competed hard, that’s all I am asking for as a coach.”

The Blues have the Western Bulldogs and Collingwood in their next two matches.

HEAT CONTINUES TO RISE ON BLUES

The heat will continue to rise on Carlton after it was unable to rectify its awful Round 1 performance with a win over Hawthorn on Thursday night.

The Blues, after leading at half time, conceded eight of the last 10 goals of the match to go down 8.12 (60) to 12.8 (80).

The loss is not only Carlton’s second in as many matches this year but is nine of its past 11 after a horror finish to 2024.

The Blues performed far better than they did in Round 1 but failed to run out the match against strong opposition in Hawthorn.

The loss of Harry McKay ahead of the match hurt, especially with an evidently underdone Charlie Curnow being well held by Josh Battle.

Patrick Cripps did his best to put the Blues on his back, as did George Hewett and Jacob Weitering, but the Hawks’ depth sparkled on a slippery night.

The challenges grow even greater for Carlton with the Western Bulldogs and Collingwood in the fortnight ahead.

NO HELP FROM THE FOOTY GODS

Carlton would have considered itself sold short at half time after two goals were disallowed.

In-demand ruckman Tom De Koning launched a sensational running goal in the early stages of the first quarter for it to be denied by a holding free kick on the line.

Later in the second term, small forward Jesse Motlop finished cleverly off the ground but it was brought back from the centre bounce after a faint spike registered on snicko.

Hawthorn eventually kicked five consecutive goals from the moment the Motlop goal was overturned.

Mabior Chol kicked three for the Hawks on Thursday night. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

There was almost a third between those goals as well, with midfielder Sam Walsh kicking a goal from an advantage which was not paid.

Luckily for Carlton, Jack Silvagni – who the free kick was awarded to – went back and ensured Walsh’s goal wasn’t lost.

JOSH WINS THAT BATTLE

Hawthorn defender Josh Battle took the points in his contest with returning Carlton spearhead Charlie Curnow.

Curnow did not have a possession in the first quarter, had just two in the second and finished goalless.

He was receiving some heavy treatment by the Carlton physio at the first interval, particularly on his quad, but remained in the match.

Josh Battle got the better of Charlie Curnow. Picture: Michael Klein

ILLNESS CURVEBALL

Carlton was thrown a curveball an hour out from Thursday night’s match against Hawthorn, with Coleman Medal winner Harry McKay falling ill.

The Blues were without one star forward in Charlie Curnow last week and were hoping to have their duo back together again.

McKay was replaced by defender Lewis Young who allowed Jack Silvagni to shift forward.

Young’s night started poorly, conceding a mark and goal to Hawthorn’s Mabior Chol in one of the first contests of the game, but he worked into the game nicely.