THE CARLTON Reserves fell just short in a tight seven-point loss to Werribee at IKON Park on Saturday morning.
The Blues overrun late after a see-sawing final quarter that saw the lead change hands multiple times, in the 8.11 (59) to 9.12 (66) defeat.
It was a scrappy and even start to the contest, with plenty of play between the arcs and neither side able to generate consistent potency going inside 50. Werribee struck first and gradually built control through territory, adding a second as Carlton struggled to find clean ball movement forward of centre.
The Blues went into the first change trailing by 18 points after a low-scoring opening term.
Carlton responded strongly in the second quarter, with a pair of former Werribee premiership players opening the team’s account.
Sam Paea earned a high-contact free kick and converted to get the Blues on the board, before Flynn Young followed up soon after with a composed finish on the run to reduce the margin and inject life into the Blues.
Lewis Young was particularly important in defence during this period, cutting off several Werribee entries and helping the Blues regain some control. However, after Carlton’s mini-revival, Werribee steadied and responded with two goals of their own to maintain their advantage.
Carlton’s forward pressure lifted noticeably, but the Blues still went into half-time trailing by 15 points.
The third quarter saw momentum swing both ways. Werribee extended its lead early before Cooper Lord responded in style, converting after earning a 50-metre penalty to bring the margin back to 17 points.
After starting the game down back, Ashton Moir swung forward and produced a strong one-on-one win to cut the deficit further, while Logan Prout’s work off half-back stood out as he repeatedly intercepted and drove the ball forward.
Carlton continued to chip away but still entered the final break trailing by 10 points in a game still very much alive.
The Blues surged in the final term, with Flynn Young’s pressure resulting in a holding-the-ball free kick which he converted to bring the margin back to just four points. Carlton then produced its best passage of play for the day, starting with a Jordan Boyd intercept that sparked a slick end-to-end movement as the Blues hit the front for the first time.
Werribee responded immediately, reclaiming the lead before pushing it out to 11 points midway through the term.
Sam Paea’s second goal brought Carlton back within striking distance, and Liam Farrar then converted to reduce the margin to just one point with minutes remaining. Despite the Blues’ continued pressure and effort, Werribee held firm in the final moments and sealed the win with a late goal.
Cooper Lord (31 disposals) and Ollie Hollands (30) led the way from a disposals point of view, while Darcy Tucker was a welcome returnee with 29 disposals. Lewis Young was named the Blues’ best in a strong defensive display, while Jordan Boyd overcame a shoulder concern last week to be one of the Blues’ strongest performers with 26 disposals.
CARLTON 0.3 2.6 4.9 8.11 (59)
WERRIBEE 3.3 5.3 6.7 9.12 (66)
GOALS
Carlton: Moir 2, Paea 2, F.Young 2, Farrar Lord
BESTS
Carlton: L.Young, Charleson, Lord, Tucker, Boyd, Saad
