Charlie Curnow kicks nine goals as Carlton put West Coast to the sword with 108-point win

It was the Charlie Curnow show in Perth as last year’s Coleman Medal had a field day against the Eagles, piling on the misery to their shocking start to the season.

It was a career-best night for Curnow against the Eagles. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Carlton finally found a way to connect with its forward line in Perth on Saturday night.

And the result was devastating; reigning Coleman medallist Charlie Curnow doing what he liked against an undermanned West Coast side.

Curnow booted a career-high nine goals in the Blues 108-point thumping of the Eagles at Optus Stadium.

He let the Eagles off too, missing a couple of shots from close range in returning 9.3.

After two consecutive disappointing losses, Michael Voss needed his side to have a big win over the undermanned Eagles.

He was still revving his side up at three-quarter-time when they led by 71 points.

They booted nine goals in the final term to win 23.14 (152) to 6.8 (44), recording their biggest win since their 96-point win over Essendon at the MCG in Round 21 of 2012.

Curnow lead the Blues to their biggest win in more than 10 years. Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

It was their first triple-figure win since their 119-point mauling of Gold Coast at the Gabba in 2011.

The Blues efficiency inside their attacking 50 was a season high 71 per cent; much better than the 46 per cent they went at against St Kilda in Round 6 and the 40 per cent in the embarrassing loss to Adelaide a week before that.

HUGE NIGHT FOR CHARLIE

Curnow has kicked multiple goals in every game this season and had two in the opening quarter against the Eagles. So did Harry McKay, who finished the game with those two goals.

The Eagles were clearly missing Jeremy McGovern and all of Shannon Hurn, Tom Barrass, Josh Rotham and even sub Rhett Bazzo stood Curnow at some stage. No one was stopping Curnow though.

His nine goals return is better than the seven he booted against the Western Bulldogs in Round 13 of 2019. They lost to the Dogs by three points that day.

They didn’t lose on Saturday though.

The nine goals Curnow booted is also a new record for Optus Stadium; better than the eight kicked by Sydney’s Lance Franklin against the Eagles in the very first game at the new venue in 2018 and by Josh Kennedy there against Adelaide in Round 21 of last season.

Curnow now holds the record for the most goals in a match at Optus Stadium. Picture: Will Russell/AFL Photos via Getty Images

ONE MORE BIG GOAL

The 19th goal kicked by Carlton was as important to the Blues as Curnow’s ninth.

It was captain Patrick Cripps first for the season.

The Brownlow medallist has in no way had a bad season, averaging more disposals, contested possessions, tackles and clearances this season, compared to last.

But after adding 20 goals last season, it’s taken him seven rounds to hit the scoreboard this year after a 0.7 start.

He didn’t miss out against the Eagles, with 33 touches (27 handballs), 22 of those contested, eight clearances and eight tackles.

IN ADAM THEY TRUST

If Carlton is going to contend this season, clearly Adam Saad and Sam Docherty need to stay fit.

The pair returned to the side this week, both having missed the loss to the Saints in Round 6.

Docherty also missed the embarrassing loss to Adelaide during Gather Round.

The run from defence returned for the Blues and the connection with the forward line also looked a whole lot better.

Brodie Kemp also played his first game for the season and sparked the Blues early.

Saad was subbed out of the game at three-quarter-time, with 25 possessions. But the smile on his face suggests his departure may have been planned and he’ll be fine to play against Brisbane next Saturday.

Adam Saad didn’t miss a beat on his return. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

EAGLES STARVED OF POSSESSION

The writing as on the wall for the Eagles early. They couldn’t get their hands on the footy.

As bad as their season has been, they have been finding a way to get into the game after slow starts.

They have been averaging 34 points in first halves and 43 points after half-time.

They had just 22 on the board at half-time, trailing by 40 and managed only 22 also after the main break.

They had 167 fewer possessions than the Blues, led by Tim Kelly‘s 27, after having just one im the opening quarter.

WEST COAST V CARLTON

EAGLES 2.3 3.4 3.7 6.8 (44)

BLUES 5.6 9.8 14.12 23.14 (152)

Best players:

Eagles - Kelly, O‘Neill, Hunt, Witherden, Duggan, Jones.

Blues - C Curnow, Acres, Cerra, Cripps, Newman, Hewett.

Goal kickers:

Eagles - O‘Neill 2, Allen 2; Witherden, Culley.

Blues - C Curnow 9; Silvagni 3; McKay 2; Newman, Honey, Hollands, Acres, Cerra, Cripps, Kemp, Kennedy, Durdin.

Votes

3 - C Curnow (CARLTON)

2 - Acres (CARLTON)

1 - Cerra (CARLTON)

Originally published as Charlie Curnow kicks nine goals as Carlton put West Coast to the sword with 108-point win