SUMMARY

A goalless third term has seen Carlton fall short against Hawthorn in a low-scoring NAB Challenge opener at Aurora Stadium on Thursday night.

After a fast start, the youthful Blues were overtaken by a more assertive Hawthorn in the second half, succumbing to a 0.4.8 (32) to 0.8.5 (53) defeat.

Despite the loss, there were plenty of positives for coach Brendon Bolton to take out of his first game at the helm.

Dale Thomas gathered 20 disposals in a solid return from a shoulder injury, while Sam Kerridge was the standout of the new Blues with a team-high 28 disposals in midfield.

While scratchy at times, Carlton also impressed with its pressure, energy and commitment to its new game plan.

The Blues continue their NAB Challenge campaign against Essendon at Ikon Park on February 28.

Gallery: Check out the best photos from the Blues' first hitout of 2016

SETTING THE STAGE

New coach, familiar territory: it was a case of déjà vu for Brendon Bolton, who returned to his home state of Tasmania to guide Carlton against his old side in his first game in charge.

Coincidentally, the Blues’ last game in Launceston came against the Hawks in the 2007 NAB Cup, which also marked the last time Carlton had beaten Hawthorn in any competition.

Dale Thomas’ return to the squad was a sight for sore eyes, while Irish rookie Ciaran Byrne and Nick Graham came in for their first involvement since April and July respectively.

In total, seven new Blues featured against the Hawks, including Charlie Curnow (younger brother of Ed), Andrew Gallucci, Jed Lamb, Sam Kerridge, Andrew Phillips, Daniel Gorringe and Matthew Wright.


Brendon Bolton rallies his charges in his first game at the helm. (Photo: Getty Images)

With players’ workloads to be managed during the NAB Challenge, newly reappointed captain Marc Murphy joined Patrick Cripps, Andrew Walker and Dylan Buckley on the sidelines.

Carlton’s top-two draft picks Jacob Weitering and Harry McKay missed the final cut after being named in the original squad of 29, but Blues supporters need not worry with the duo set to play at some stage during the NAB Challenge.

The reigning premiers were without a host of stars, including Jarryd Roughead, Cyril Rioli, Jack Gunston, Shaun Burgoyne and James Frawley.

With both sides missing their captains, Kade Simpson and Grant Birchall took the reins as acting skippers.

FIRST HALF

An energetic and focused Carlton came out firing and didn't let its guard down in the first quarter, with its pressure all over the ground a highlight.

Remarkably, the Hawks took 13 minutes to register their first inside-50.

Levi Casboult booted the first major after leaping high at the top of the goalsquare to take one of his signature contested grabs.

The big man then went from goalscorer to provider, intercepting a pass to reach Matthew Kreuzer, who found Nick Graham inside 50 for Carlton's second.

Mark Whiley and new Blue Kerridge were everpresents around the stoppages, collecting 13 and 12 disposals respectively.

Luke Breust's pace and guile caused headaches for Carlton's defence in the second quarter, with the speedy forward booting two goals for a half-time tally of three.

Carlton's first-half highlight came via Blaine Boekhorst, who weaved through Hawthorn's midfield before delivering a pinpoint pass to Andrejs Everitt for the third goal.  

But it wasn’t enough, with the Blues down by five points at the main break.

SECOND HALF

Bolton sacrificed Whiley, Daniel Gorringe, Jed Lamb and Matt Dick at halftime, with Charlie Curnow, Liam Jones, Andrew Gallucci and Ciaran Byrne introduced to the action.

The Hawks flexed their muscles early in the second half, breaking the game open and keeping Carlton goalless in the third term.

The Blues were pegged back and battled manfully after conceding two early goals, but a goal after the three-quarter time siren to Ryan Schoenmakers blew the deficit out to 22 points at the final break. 

After his blistering first half, Casboult received closer attention after halftime, limiting Carlton’s firepower up forward.

The Blues rediscovered their rhythm in the final term, outscoring Hawthorn by a point. 

Graham, who finished with 18 disposals, was a spark through the midfield, slotting beautifully on the run for Carlton’s only goal of the second half. 


Nick Graham celebrates his final-quarter goal. (Photo: Getty Images)

Kerridge picked up from where he left off after halftime, finishing with 28 disposals and eight tackles.

COACH'S REACTION

Bolton said he got what he wanted from the game.

"What our members should know is we had 78 rotations and the Hawks had 134 or 135, something around that," he said.

"That was deliberate. We wanted to really push our players today, make them endure.

"We hung them out a bit, we left them out there and didn't rotate regularly.

"It's just we're into a really strong conditioning block at the moment and we wanted to make sure this game was part of that.

"We know the rotations are limited this year so we think it will pay us back at some point."

Watch Bolton's post-match press conference

FULL-TIME:

HAWTHORN 0.1.1 0.4.2 0.7.3 0.8.5 (53)
CARLTON 0.2.2 0.3.3 0.3.5 0.4.8 (32)

SUPERGOALS
Hawthorn: Nil
Carlton: Nil

GOALS
Hawthorn: Breust 3, Sicily, Mitchell, O'Brien, Schoenmakers, Willsmore
Carlton: Graham 2, Everitt, Casboult,

LEADING DISPOSALS
Carlton: Kerridge 28, Docherty 21, Thomas 20, Gibbs 19, Simpson 19, Graham 18

Click here for the full stats

INJURIES 
Carlton: Nil

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Simon Meredith, Robert Findlay, Sam Hay, Brett Rosebury

Official crowd: 9181 at Aurora Stadium