CARLTON have kicked off their JLT Community Series with a win over the Bombers at Ikon Park.

It was a complete team performance by the Blues, who outclassed their traditional rivals across the field maintaining pressure throughout the game, and showing great composure to see off their fast finishing opponents.  

While number one draft pick Sam Walsh did nothing to hurt his chances of a Round 1 debut, it was captain Patrick Cripps who lead from the front finishing with 33-disposals and two goals.

The Breakdown:

Q1 Breakdown:

It was a see-sawing first quarter with both teams able to hit the scoreboard in bursts. However, the Blues took the lead into the first break thanks to late goals to Mitch McGovern and Charlie Curnow. A dream start for Mick Gibbons who landed two goals with his first two kicks.

Q2 Breakdown:

The play tempered in the second quarter, but it was largely dominated by the Bluesas we piled on the pressure and kept the ball locked in our forward half. Cripps provided the highlight of the term, bursting through a congested forward line before steadying for the goal.


Q3 Breakdown:

Another fast start from the Blues, with Gibbons hitting the board for his third goal of the evening. Matthew Lobbe also came on with an immediate impact, kicking a great running goal after coming into the game following half-time. The highlight of the term came in the form of a beautiful left foot goal from David Cuningham.

Q4 Breakdown:

It was a tense finish to the game with the Bombers piling on a run of five unanswered goals to cut our lead down to just four points. However, another goal to David Cuningham steadied the ship, and gave the boys the breathing room they needed to finish the day with a win.

Moment of the match:

While it may not have been as impressive as his third quarter goal, Cuningham’s goal in the last quarter proved to be the ultimate difference, breaking the momentum that the Bombers had built, and helping the Blues regain composure.

Player of the match:

With 33-disposals, two goals and 11 clearances, it is hard to look past Cripps as the player of the match. The captain lead from the front, and set a high standard of play for the rest of the team to follow.

Three things we learned:

  1. Not that we didn’t already know it, but Sam Walsh is a star
  2. David Cuningham’s move up forward is very handy for the team
  3. Gibbons is a classy player who looks ready to step up to the AFL level

Up next:

The Blues will now start for JLT 2 against Collingwood.