By Jon Pierik
Such was Carlton’s dramatic rise from 15th on the ladder in June to the cusp of a grand final that history was on the minds of club powerbrokers at the Gabba on Saturday.
“What we have achieved this year is quite unique. No side that has come back from 15th position after round 12 has made it into a grand final ever in the history of the game,” Blues chief executive Brian Cook said just hours before the opening bounce.
“When you think of it that way, it has been a huge turnaround. I think the supporters have been behind that.”
More work to do: Charlie Curnow was in the thick of the action against the Lions, but couldn’t will his team to victory.Credit: Getty Images
That support was again on hand, this time at the Lions’ den. Indeed, one could have been forgiven for thinking this contest was at the MCG, so strong was the travelling Carlton representation.
“We want to embrace this opportunity,” Cook said.
That has been the Blues’ mantra since the stinging loss to Essendon in June, and they again did that on Saturday. But all good things don’t always end the way we want. And that was the case for the Blues. Despite only two defeats since round 12, and a magical September run, ending a decade-long finals drought, their season is done after a brave effort against the Lions.
There are no guarantees in football, but this much is clear. The rebirth of the Blues is well underway. Michael Voss has the full faith of the board and supporters, Patrick Cripps, Jacob Weitering, Sam Walsh and Sam Docherty have reinforced their leadership credentials, Charlie Curnow is on the road to being a superstar, while the likes of the emerging Tom De Koning and rookie Oliver Hollands have made significant progress.
The Blues acknowledge more change is needed, and Cook made clear the Blues’ plans in an interview on 3AW.
“We will probably do the same this draft as we did last draft, which is to try and pick up three or four good kids, and pick up one player either through trade or free agency. If we do that next year and the year after, I think we’ll have great depth,” said Cook, who presided over premierships with West Coast and Geelong.
While that’s to come, there is immediate hurt. A banged up Cripps was well held by the Lions for the second time this season, although he did contribute multiple goals. Adam Cerra would want his time over again. His botched shot for goal with seconds remaining in the third term really hurt. Walsh was typically hard running, and completed a fine September.
“If it is to be, it is up to me,” declared the Blues’ banner in memory of the late, great Ron Barassi. And that’s how the Blues began.
Where the Lions were apprehensive and mistake-ridden - Jarrod Berry was penalised for running too far with the ball in the opening minutes, the first time a Lion had been guilty of that this season - the Blues hummed. Jordan Boyd’s crunching tackle on Joe Daniher told the tale, as did the Blues’ repeat inside 50s and contested ball dominance, this pressure leading to a Harry McKay goal. When Jack Martin had Eric Hipwood done for holding the ball, and the Lions kicked the ball away in frustration, leading to a 50m penalty and goal, the Blues were ascendent.
Never gave up: Sam Walsh was at his hard-running best against the Lions, continuing a fine finals series.Credit: Getty Images
Berry and Hipwood made amends in the shadows of quarter-time when they ended a run of five Blues’ goals by combining for the Lions’ opening major, but this contest still belonged to the Blues. Charlie Cameron, manned by Adam Saad, had not had a touch.
There is no time to dwell in this sport, and momentum swung in the second term. The Lions now won the clearances, and had the upper hand. The Blues were running out of petrol tickets.
Where they had dictated terms, they were suddenly on the defensive. Cripps briefly steadied his team with a long goal, and Blake Acres’ knack of having a successful goal review challenge, this time with the ball grazing his head, continued. However, by the time the half-time bell rang, the Lions were in front.
Finals are about seizing the moment. The Blues, when this contest was at its fiercest, could not complete this. When Cripps conceded a 50m penalty at the opening centre bounce of the third term, gifting Oscar McInerney a goal, the joy of the past fortnight began to slip away.
Voss worked the magnets, and there was a late rally in the final term with back-to-back goals by Cripps and McKay. The legendary Lion had never been beaten as a player or as Lions’ coach in a final at the Gabba. Again, all good things come to an end.
Cook rubbished suggestions the Blues were in “bonus time”, having made a preliminary final few, if any fans, had predicted.
“When you have these opportunities which don’t come around too often, you have got to take them,” he said.
The wily executive knows how precious deep September runs are. It’s now over to the Blues to ensure another opportunity arises next season.
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