THE CARLTON Reserves defeated Collingwood in a final quarter thriller at IKON Park.
Under lights, the Blues prevailed in a 12.11 (83) to 11.13 (79) victory, claiming back-to-back wins and making it four victories from the last five games.
Through the middle, Jaxon Binns found plenty of the footy all night, finishing the night with 28 disposals and a goal, while Ben Camporeale (26 disposals, eight clearances), Lucas Camporeale (24 disposals, four tackles) and Will Hayes (26 disposals, six clearances) also made their presence felt.
Luke Nelson led the forwards by snagging three crucial goals in the second half, while tall targets Harry Lemmey and the returning Denver Grainger-Barras both registered two goals. Down back, an under-siege Carlton held firm, with Ethan Phillips (11 marks) and Jordan Boyd (20 disposals) had impressive showings.
It was the dream start for the Blues, with a centre clearance to goal transition in the first minute of the game. Backing up from his sub performance in the AFL last night, Flynn Young found himself on the end of his first major, taking the advantage after Harry Lemmey drew the free.
Only moments later, the Blues had their second with an almost identical play, when this time Young found Lemmey. Continuing to apply pressure in the front half, a spectacular grab followed by unselfish play from Denver Grainger-Barras saw Jaxon Binns convert.
With the first three of the night, the Blues were on the front foot, but the Pies were quick to rally as Carlton’s defence was soon under the pump.
Lewis Young held strong, gathering a game-high 13 disposals in the opening term, but a late charge from Collingwood meant things were evened up going into the first break.
That momentum continued with the second term, in what was a tough start to the quarter for the Reserves. An ankle injury brought Lewis Young from the ground and he didn’t return, as the Pies made it five straight goals to extend their lead.
Back into the side, Will Hayes started to find plenty of the footy, and he found himself front and centre to kick the Blues’ first of the quarter and wrestle back some momentum.
Soon after, Grainger-Barras was awarded a free kick in the pocket – with a timely set shot, he swung it around his body to close Collingwood’s lead.
Under pressure for the majority of the term, Carlton’s defence stood up against 18 inside 50s from the Pies, with tall Ethan Phillips and the lively Harry Charleson both getting busy.
When the siren concluded a back-and-forth second term, the Blues trailed by eight points, with work to do following the main break.
It didn’t take long for the Reserves to fire a shot in the second half, when Flynn Young linked up with Lemmey again for an answering Carlton goal.
More unselfish work from Will White and Ollie Warburton ended in Luke Nelson securing the Blues’ second in a row from the set shot – after a contested few minutes, a clearance from Darcy Hogg found Grainer-Barras for his second following some fancy footwork.
Once again finding momentum, weaving through traffic was Darcy Hogg who set sail on the run to finish off a classy play, before the Blues continued their hot streak when a Charleson entry was capped off with Nelson booting his second to give the Blues back the lead.
However, the final stages of the third term saw the Pies hit back, kicking two in a minute to once again see the Blues seven points down at the final change.
Looking for a big push in the final term, a Ben Camporeale clearance gave the Blues the perfect start to the fourth, as a squaring ball from White found the hot hand of Nelson.
Launching from 50 for his third, the Blues were once again back within a kick, but forward entries went begging for both sides in another tense finish for the VFL Blues.
Jordan Boyd had some crucial one-on-one wins in the final minutes, before Corey Durdin seized the moment late, taking an intercept mark inside forward 50. With a lot riding on the kick, he went back and squeezed the set shot to give the Blues the lead once again.
In a low-scoring quarter, the Blues were relentless and kept the Pies goalless in the final term, securing the win by four points.
CARLTON RESERVES 3.3 5.5 10.8 12.11 (83)
COLLINGWOOD VFL 3.3 6.7 11.9 11.13 (79)
GOALS
Carlton: Nelson 3, Grainger-Barras 2, Lemmey 2, Durdin, Hayes, Hogg, F.Young
BEST
Carlton: Phillips, B.Camporeale, White, Riley, Binns, L.Camporeale
Jaspar Wilson-Keir is a student at La Trobe University, undergoing his Bachelor of Media and Communications (Journalism and Marketing). He is currently undertaking an internship at the Carlton Football Club as part of its partnership with La Trobe University.
