Australian Football

Match Report

Carlton's season has gone from bad to worse after Melbourne broke through for its first win of 2014 against the Blues at the MCG on Saturday. The Blues opened the match looking like a side hellbent on atoning for its embarrassing performance against Essendon the week before, kicking the first two goals, but Melbourne worked its way back into the match to trail by just two points at the first change. Carlton had made several personnel changes after the loss to the Bombers and Patrick Cripps made his debut for the club, collecting several touches in that first term.

The second quarter was an even affair, the Demons kicking three goals to two to take a narrow four-point lead into the long break, but it was in the third term that the dream might come true for Melbourne fans and that Carlton's worst fears might be realised. The Demons kicked four goals via Rohan Bail (two), Chris Dawes and Jay Kennedy-Harris, while Carlton could manage only one through Chris Yarran. At three-quarter time, Melbourne were 21 points ahead.

Carlton attacked heavily at the beginning of the final term but the Blues were wasteful, converting many opportunities into just five behinds in the first 12 minutes of the term. Then, as is often the case, the Demons swept the ball forward and attained a major via a mark to the much-maligned Jack Watts. A goal to Chris Yarran reduced the lead to 17 points and gave the Blues a glimmer of hope at the 19-minute mark but this was to be Melbourne's day. Cameron Pedersen kicked the sealer at the 23-minute mark and the Demons celebrated a 23-point win, the first under new coach Paul Roos, several minutes later.

Carlton now has a 0-4 record and sit above only the hapless Brisbane Lions on the ladder, with pressure mounting on coach Mick Malthouse and president Stephen Kernahan, after the two had previously created an expectation that the Blues was building towards a premiership. The next month will see them take on the Western Bulldogs, West Coast, Collingwood and St Kilda.

The increased public and media pressure on Carlton, coupled with the win will be a huge relief for Melbourne and all associated with the club. The Demons will look to back up the victory with another when it hosts Gold Coast next Sunday.

GOALS
Carlton: Ellard, Yarran 2; Murphy, Casboult, Henderson
Melbourne: Frawley, Dawes, Bail, Watts 2; N. Jones, Dunn, Kennedy-Harris, Pedersen

BEST - AFL.COM.AU
Carlton: Curnow, Yarran, Walker, Gibbs
Melbourne: Jones, Frawley, Watts, Viney, Dawes, Grimes, Spencer, McDonald

BEST - SPORTAL.COM.AU
Carlton: Yarran, Curnow, Walker, Gibbs
Melbourne: Jones, Frawley, McDonald, Watts, Grimes

COACHES' COMMENTS
Mick Malthouse (Carl): Melbourne were very, very good. They were committed. They were hard. They ran better than us and capitalised on opportunities. A lot of our stats were better but the fundamentals, the execution of our disposals were not up to Melbourne's. They beat us at it, so full credit to Melbourne. We started off very well but there comes a point where you lack confidence.

Paul Roos (Melb): The effort across the board obviously makes a huge difference. The move of Frawley and Dunn forward has been a winner for us. Last week it didn't work as much in the wet [against GWS] but I thought they were competitive last week. Nathan Jones' game was clearly best on ground for me. It does help when your better players play well. They tend to drag the others along.

INJURIES
Carlton: Menzel (left thigh), Thomas (left shoulder), Jamison (shoulder)
Melbourne: Terlich (hamstring)

SUBSTITUTES
Carlton: Nick Graham replaced Troy Menzel at quarter-time
Melbourne: Michael Evans replaced Dean Terlich in the third quarter

REPORTS
Carlton: Robbie Warnock reported for striking Jake Spencer (Melbourne) in the third quarter
Melbourne: Nil

UMPIRES: Dalgleish, Mitchell, Mollison

TELEVISION BROADCAST: Seven Network

COMMENTATORS: Basil Zempilas, Hamish McLachlan, Tom Harley, Andrew Welsh