THE CARLTON Reserves have gone down by 21 points to Footscray in a VFL practice match at IKON Park.
Despite controlling large portions of territory throughout the afternoon, inaccuracy in front of goal ultimately proved costly for the Blues, finishing with 6.22 (58) after struggling to capitalise on their forward-half dominance.
Several players returning from injury made their first appearances of the year, with Blake Acres, Lachie Cowan and Matthew Carroll all getting valuable minutes under their belt.
Footscray struck first, kicking the opening two goals of the contest before Carlton settled through the work of its midfield. A sharp intercept from Ben Camporeale in the centre created the Blues’ first goal, finding Flynn Young who snapped truly on the run.
Carlton continued to control large stretches of the first term, with Will Cookson busy around the contest and Cowan making an early statement with an intercept mark across half-back.
Opportunities continued to present themselves. Matthew Carroll intercepted strongly before finding Lucas Camporeale inside 50, while the Camporeale brothers combined neatly to create another chance for Darcy Hogg.
However, the Blues struggled to make the most of their entries. Talor Byrne and Young both narrowly missed set shots, and despite dominating territory, Carlton trailed at quarter time.
The Dogs capitalised on that inefficiency in the second term, extending their lead as the game became more congested between the arcs. Jordan Boyd had an impressive first half, impressing with his ball use, while Acres gradually worked his way into the contest.
But Footscray controlled the scoreboard, adding four goals to none in the quarter to open a 31-point advantage at the main break.
Carlton responded after half time through Dane Harvey, who kicked truly from a free kick deep inside 50 to spark the Blues early in the third term.
Cookson continued to drive the ball forward and delivered a precise pass to Jack Ison, who was lively throughout the quarter but narrowly missed his opportunity.
Carlton dominated field position in the third term, with Hogg, Boyd and Ison all influential, yet the Blues’ wastefulness continued as they managed just 1.7 for the quarter.
Footscray made the home side pay, stretching the margin to 32 points by the final change.
The Blues again started the final quarter strongly when Young delivered a neat pass from the pocket to Carroll, who converted calmly to reduce the deficit.
Ison’s forward pressure soon produced another major after he earned a holding-the-ball free kick inside 50, while Tyson Gresham added a late goal.
Despite continuing to win plenty of the ball through Carroll, Boyd, Hogg and the Camporeale brothers, Carlton couldn’t close the gap as Footscray held on for a 21-point win.
CARLTON 2.8 2.9 3.16 6.22 (58)
FOOTSCRAY 4.1 8.4 10.6 12.7 (79)
GOALS
Carlton: Young, Harvey, Magor, Ison, Carroll, Gresham
Bailey Walsh 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.
