CARLTON were left to rue missed opportunities in a five-point loss to Geelong at GMHBA Stadium earlier today.

The Blues dominated the entirety of the second half but couldn’t make their opportunities count, ultimately going down 2.7 (19) to 1.8 (14) in a combative affair.

Leaders Kerryn Harrington and Brianna Davey stood up, but the top-of-the-table Conference B will go down as the one that got away for the Blues.

Quarter by quarter:

Q1:

The term was dominated by some crunching hits. Sarah Hosking was strong over the ball and took no prisoners with her approach. In just her second match, Brooke Walker showed some of her trademark rugby dash, while Bri Davey led from the front in the midfield, picking up eight disposals for the quarter. However, it was the Cats who got the first and only score of the quarter – a goal to Phoebe McWilliams.

Q2:

The Blues were looking more likely to score early in the second term but were unable to mount scoreboard pressure. The Hoskings were in everything, with Jess taking some strong intercept grabs and Sarah typically putting her body on the line. Gab Pound racked up possessions at will across half-back, while debutant Abbie McKay looked composed with six possessions to half-time. Geelong’s Sophie Van De Heuvel kicked the only goal of the quarter.

Q3:

It was a much-improved effort from the Blues in the third quarter. Harris and Darcy Vescio came out firing, but the effects were mostly felt on the goal posts. After locking the ball inside 50 for most of the quarter, Katie Loynes broke through a pack and slotted Carlton’s first goal of the match. Geelong couldn’t get any momentum throughout the quarter, as Harrington repelled anything in her vicinity. The game was on a knife’s edge at the final change.

Q4:

Harris was again looking ominous to begin the final quarter, but kicked her third poster of the day after a commanding contested mark. Carlton’s forward pressure early in the term was outstanding which helped to build pressure on the Cats. However, Geelong was able to wrestle the momentum back late and tied the ball in its forward half. Stevens, Pound and Harrington held the defence together, but it wasn’t enough to prevent defeat.

Three things we learned:

1.     With limited opportunities, kicking truly is crucial. The Blues dominated the play in the second half, but had nothing to show for it come the end of the game.

2.     Abbie McKay is a player for the future. The inaugural father-daughter selection showed great composure in her debut match and never looked overawed by the occasion.

3.     Once Carlton can get the forward chemistry to perform at its best, the Blues will be a force to be reckoned with.

Moment of the match:

The four posters.

As Carlton dominated the second half of the match, it was only the goal posts that stood in the way of victory. The Blues took inspiration from Loynes’ goal, but couldn’t find the next goal to give them the lead.

Player of the match:

The back-line was often under immense pressure, but Kerryn Harrington looked unbeatable. The defender repelled almost everything that came her way and was the Blues’ best. She’s building quite the form-line as the home-and-away season passed the halfway mark.

Match summary:

Carlton       0.0   0.2   1.6   1.8 (14)
Geelong      1.0   2.4   2.4   2.7 (19)

Goals:

Carlton: Loynes
Geelong: McWilliams, Van De Heuvel

Best:

Carlton: Harrington, Pound, J. Hosking, Davey, Prespakis, Walker