A young Carlton Reserves side were overcome late in the game against Frankston on Saturday night at Kinetic Stadium, going down 11.8 (74) to 15.8 (98).
Through the middle, captain Heath Ramshaw lead from the front in his milestone 50th game – coming away with 24 disposals, along with eight clearances. Kristian Ferronato also dug in, finishing finish with an equal game high 25 and nine clearances.
Down back, young AFL-Listed duo Billy Wilson (24 disposals) and Harry Charleson (22 disposals) stood up in trying times.
In the front half, tall Dane Harvey had the hot hand early, kicking a career-high three goals. Alongside him, smalls Darcy Hogg and Ollie Badr also snagged two each.
With perfect conditions for footy, the first quarter belonged to the Blues. With the first five inside 50s of the game, it was young gun Hogg who put the first on the board after an intercept mark.
Just as the term started to become congested, Dane Harvey found himself on the receiving end of a forward 50 free kick – he obliged to kick his first and give the Reserves the perfect start.
Only moments later, a centre clearance from Hudson O’Keeffe resulted in a chaos ball inside attacking 50. With a moment of individual brilliance, Hogg finished from the boundary on his left, to kick his second and the Blues third.
Applying relentless pressure in the front half, Badr converted a simple set shot after picking off a Frankston kickout.
Finding plenty of the ball early, Badr found himself with a paddock of space in the corridor. With composure, he found the chest of Harvey who put through his second.
Upping the ante in the back half of the quarter, it was Denver Grainger-Barras who found himself on the end of another Blues goal.
In game number 50, Ramshaw stamped his dominance early, collecting 14 disposals in the opening term.
Kicking six goals to two, the siren concluded a strong first quarter showing from the Reserves.
Taking a 27-point lead into the second it was a different look kicking into the wind.
Captain Ramshaw (19 disposals) continued to surge after his monster first quarter. Alongside him, Kristian Ferronato (16 disposals) turned up the heat with six clearances to his name.
After 20 minutes of back and forth, a skewed set shot landed in the hands of the hot handed Harvey. With a shot from the pocket, he finished around the corner to break the drought.
With conditions favouring the away side, the Blues held strong – taking a 21-point lead into half time.
Following the main break, with the conditions favouring their end the Reserves were looking to capitalise.
After an impressive first half, O’Keeffe kicked the opener for the Blues – finishing with a set shot around his body. However, despite the promising start the home side started to find their groove.
Under immense pressure throughout the term, AFL-listed duo Wilson and Charleson knuckled down in the back half.
Against the flow of play, small forward Badr produced something out of nothing from the top of the goal square – kicking his second to keep the Blues in front.
While the away side surged in the third, the Reserves managed to take a three-point lead into the final quarter.
Needing a lift in the final 30 minutes, it was a less than ideal start for the Blues. With the away side getting off to strong start, it didn’t take long for Grainger-Barras to hit back - with his second and the Blues first of the last.
In the same minute, it was an instant replay. Grainger-Barras with a set shot, went back and slotted his third to give Carlton back the lead.
Coming off back-to-back goals, the Reserves were pressing. However, with the clock running out - the Reserves were left four goals short.
The Carlton Reserves are set to face the Gold Coast Suns at 11:05am next Sunday 10 August at IKON Park.
CARLTON RESERVES 6.4 7.5 9.7 11.8 (74)
FRANKSTON 2.1 4.2 9.4 15.8 (98)
GOALS
Carlton: Grainger-Barras 3, Harvey 3, Badr 2, Hogg 2, O’Keeffe
BEST
Carlton: Ramshaw, Ferronato, Cincotta, Charleson, Phillips, Paea
