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It stars an inspiring cameo by Patrick Cripps Carlton to an important victory from 16.11 (107) to 10.11 (71) Port Adelaide to climb back into top-4 contention midway through AFL season.
The Blues went into Thursday night’s clash eighth in the table, at risk of relegation, and the Power, on a three-match winning streak, loomed as a dangerous opponent, even with Conor Rosey injured.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Patrick Cripps opens the fourth quarter with a decisive goal.
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But Carlton showed the fight forged in last year’s finals to blow a tight contest wide open immediately after the start of the fourth quarter.
Cripps’ first straight goal of the game from a center kick gave his side their first three-shot lead of the game – and he followed it up just a minute later with his second.
“What is this?! A superstar in the game, it’s crazy,” James Brayshaw said on Channel 7 commentary.
“Two in a row to start this final term, taking it personally.”
Dale Thomas said Cripps looked “a bit lucky – right place, right time” to find the ball in the pocket, but praised his finish as “all class”.
“And on the back of the work rate, it was there all night, in and under it. So often he is the one who puts this country on his back. The captain. Follow me, I will take you to the promised land,” said Thomas.
Cripps curiously had just one clearance while two more late on boosted his tally in an area dominated by Jason Horne-Francis with 10 for Port Adelaide.
But those two key goals among Cripps’ 11 goals in total, ahead of Horne-Francis’ 10, were the impact that mattered for the Carlton skipper.
“We talked about playing with guts, getting on with the game,” Cripps told Channel 7.
“At the start of the year, after we went up by a couple of goals, we probably played it a bit safe. We played aggressively tonight and that kept the scoreboard ticking.
“It’s always nice to kick something, two in a few minutes definitely gets the adrenaline going.”
Port pulled one back through Jed McEntry but the Blues almost put the result beyond doubt when their next two inside 50s led to goals from Zac Williams and Alex Cincotta.
The two sides went goal after goal over the next 15 minutes until Williams converted his third of the game from a set-piece four minutes from the clock.
Cincotta’s goal was reward for an impressive effort to limit Port star Zach Butters, especially in the final season.
“First of the year, I didn’t expect it, but I did it. Pretty excited,” Cincotta said.
“I don’t know (how I managed to turn it off). He is a very good player.
“I just try to get on their backs and be really physical, just really pressure them and make sure their throw-in isn’t effective.
“If I can do that, I’m doing my job. Zach is a great player, so I have to give him credit.”
Carlton halfback Sam Walsh produced another outstanding display, collecting 33 disposals with 9 inside tackles and 13 tackles.
His team-mate Nick Newman was also influential with 29 touches and Cripps, who along with one clearance had just 13 disposals by three-quarter time, finished with 22 touches.
Carlton’s brilliant final term came after a tense first three quarters.
The second quarter was punctuated by the first flashpoint of the AFL’s midweek change to a possession interpretation that gives players less time to get rid of the tackle.
Port’s Kane Farrell was caught in a Matthew Owies tackle and spun 360 degrees before getting a tackle, only to be adjudged to be holding the ball.
Farrell awarded a 50-metre penalty for dissent, but overall the controversial rule change had minimal impact – around half a dozen holding calls were made in the game.
Farrell’s decision came as Port kicked a wayward 1.6 in the second term to trail by three points at half-time.
Both sides recorded three goals each in the third term, with Carlton leading by seven points at three quarters, 8.10 to 7.9.
Cripps then took center stage and the Blues went on to celebrate just their second win at Adelaide Oval.
On the other side of the coin, Port’s fourth-quarter capitulation will shine a light on their ability to compete with the best.
They conceded seven goals from stoppages last season alone – an immediate review point for coach Ken Hinkley.
“Disappointing result in the end, we really competed well in the first three quarters and they got the better of us late,” Butters said.
“We lost a bit of method and part of our way in the stoppage, they were able to dominate from there. Sort of a spillover effect from there.
“A little bit disappointing that I wasn’t able to stop him and stop their momentum, but I thought it was a good race. It shows you have to play four good quarters, not three. There are some things to work on.”
– with AAP
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