Australian Football

Match Report

Two once great clubs met at the MCG on Saturday afternoon, both a far cry from the mighty teams they once were. On this occasion, Collingwood and Carlton, who have 31 V/AFL premierships between them, showed little to suggest that either of them will be gleaning over the next few seasons. In a mistake-ridden match, the Blues made fewer errors and prevailed by 15 points, 14.15.99 to 12.12.84.

The Pies were first away, with an end-to-end transition resulting in a goal to Alex Fasolo at the two-minute mark. The Blues responded with a mark and goal to Levi Casboult soon after, and when Liam Sumner marked and goaled at the seven-minute mark, Carlton was ahead by a goal. The two sides traded in behinds for the next 10 minutes before ex-Bulldog Liam Jones to put the Blues 14 points clear. Collingwood fought back late in the quarter, with majors to Tim Broomhead and Jesse White closing the gap to two points at the first change.

Marc Murphy had the Blues back out to an eight-point lead when he goaled after roving a ball spilled by to Collingwood defenders. Fasolo got that goal back with his second and the the three-minute mark and the Pies then added two behinds to level the scores after five minutes. Carlton regained the ascendency over the next 10 minutes with majors to Sam Kerridge and Andrejs Everitt, but Collingwood tough back again, Jarryd Blair's first and Fasolo's first having the scores tied again early in time on. That was to be as close as the Magpies got, though, and a second each two Everitt and Casboult gave the Blues an 11-point lead at the long break, one they would not relinquish.

Collingwood cut the lead to five points with a goal to Jesse White at the five-minute mark of the third term but Carlton broke the game open in the next 20 minutes with a run of five goals, three of those going to Bryce Gibbs. The Magpies got two later majors via Darcy Moore and Fasolo, but the Blues led by 19 at the last break.

Needing the first goal of the final term to give themselves a chance, the Pies got one via Levi Greenwood within the first 30 seconds but Dale Thomas replied for Carlton four minutes later and the Blues were 20 points clear. Moore's third goal cut the difference back to 13 at the 12-minute mark but the Magpies could not find a follow-up goal and Levi Casboult's third sealed the match at the 19-minute mark, Carlton eventually finishing 15 points clear.

Bryce Gibbs had a great game for the Blues, with 30 possessions and three goals, while Collingwood skipper Scott Pendlebury (34 disposals, seven tackles) also had a fine match.

The Blues have now won three in a row, and will hoping to make it four against Port Adelaide at Docklands on Sunday. Collingwood, 14th on the ladder with just two wins, will travel to Brisbane on Saturday night to take on the Lions at the Gabba.

GOALS
Collingwood: Fasolo 4; Moore 3; White 2; Blair, Greenwood, Broomhead
Carlton: Gibbs, Everitt, Casboult 3; Murphy, Kerridge, Lamb, Jones, Sumner, Thomas

BEST - THE SUNDAY AGE
Collingwood: Sidebottom, Pendlebury, Fasolo, Moore, Treloar
Carlton: Gibbs, Casboult, Cripps, Simpson, Docherty, Kreuzer

BEST - AFL.COM.AU
Collingwood: Pendlebury, Sidebottom, Fasolo, Treloar
Carlton: Cripps, Gibbs, Casboult, Murphy, Simpson, Curnow, Everitt

INJURIES
Collingwood: Broomhead (ankle), Reid (shoulder)
Carlton: White (shin) replaced in selected side by Jamison

UMPIRES: Farmer, Hosking, Ryan

TELEVISION BROADCAST: Seven Network

COMMENTATORS: Hamish McLachlan, Basil Zempilas, Tim Watson, Brad Sewell