After a disenchanting elimination final loss to the Brisbane Lions that was dubbed “a training drill” for the hosts, very few Blues could hold their heads high — with the exception of a couple.
It was one-way traffic from start to finish at The Gabba, with 10 Carlton players failing to pass in our ratings of Saturday night’s horror show.
Every Carlton player rated out of 10 from the elimination final vs Brisbane.
2. Lachie Cowan
Struggled to impact marking contests defensively, coming up empty a few times in the opening quarter. The broadcast noted he “got a little bit lost” tracking the ball and his opponent. Looked to improve as the game wore on, finishing with 12 disposals and two inside-50s. 4
3. Jesse Motlop
Was a passenger in the first half and when opportunities to impact beckoned in the second, it wasn’t a much better result. Motlop finished the evening with nine disposals at 56 per cent efficiency and four tackles. 3
4. Ollie Hollands
One of a bevy of barely-sighted Blues on Saturday night, and one of the more particularly disappointing efforts given the lofty standards the youngster has worked to set so early in his career. Six disposals in the first half and four in the second for the second-year wingman, to go with one clearance and no inside-50s. Like most of his teammates, he appeared outmatched. 3
5. Adam Cerra
Despite fitness worries, Cerra got involved early both with ball in hand and by applying defensive pressure. It became clear, however, that the onballer wasn’t in match shape after a stint on the sidelines, going under the radar after quarter-time to finish with 17 disposals — only two of which were contested — and two clearances. 4
6. Adam Cerra
Failed to impact as a forward in the first half before being moved into defence to start the second. Once thrown back, Williams succumbed to a few lapses in concentration, finishing with 12 disposals at 50 per cent efficiency and one tackle. 2
7. Matt Kennedy
Tactically substituted out of the game — at the 11-minute mark of the second quarter — with five disposals. Buckley: “Matty Kennedy was subbed out halfway through that second quarter — eight of his teammates had less touches than he’s had.” 3
9. Patrick Cripps
Involved at the coalface from the get-go — just as you’d expect — despite Brisbane’s dominance. Cripps also pinch-hit in the ruck as the Blues sought a fifth midfielder at the contest. He kicked Carlton’s first goal of the evening 57 minutes into the game and was evidently its most committed contributor. “Patty Cripps is the only Carlton player… Brisbane has 13 players that are the highest-ranked — Cripps is the only Carlton player amongst them,” Collingwood icon Nathan Buckley shared on Fox Footy at half-time. The skipper ended his night with 31 disposals, a game-high 16 contested possessions, six clearances, six inside-50s and a goal. 8
10. Harry McKay
Drew Brisbane defender Jack Payne — who later exit injured — in the early going and couldn’t get a look-in early as the Blues failed to make their mark. Gave away a frustrated 50-metre penalty in the first term that resulted in a shot at goal for the Lions. He absolutely shanked his first look at goal in the second quarter, before missing a gilt-edged chance from a simple angle late in the half. Without an ample supporting cast, McKay built into the contest and capped his night with a respectable three goals from five marks. 5
11. Mitch McGovern
Bobbed up here and there as an interceptor but was largely unable to make a perceptible impact. Recorded 14 disposals, five marks and six intercept possessions. 5
12. Tom De Koning
Started the evening as Carlton’s substitute but was injected into the action quicker than expected. “Carlton would be absolutely ruing the fact they didn’t start De Koning. When he came on and went forward, he gave them a little bit of a speak down there, gave them a contest,” Fox Footy’s Cameron Mooney said at half-time. The key-position utility finished with 11 disposals, three clearances and four inside-50s. 6
13. Blake Acres
Was sighted grimacing with a sore shoulder — which was already strapped — early in the second quarter but still ended up one of Carlton’s better players. Acres was the Blues’ most penetrative with ball in hand, recording a team-high 599 metres gained, as well as eight inside-50s and a goal. 7
14. Orazio Fantasia
As was the case with a few of his forward-line teammates, he lacked intensity and an overall competitiveness — recording 11 disposals, one tackle and one goal for the evening. 4
15. Sam Docherty
Started with a couple of quick disposals to get himself settled, but it was clear he needed time to readjust to the level. He stayed involved throughout the night, wrapping up with 16 disposals, two inside-50s and a feel-good goal in the final quarter. 5
17. Brodie Kemp
Took a strong contested mark out of the gate playing as one of the main forward targets. Showed a few signs as a leading forward but couldn’t capitalise on an important chance in the third quarter. Finished goalless with seven disposals and three marks. 4
18. Sam Walsh
Had enough of the ball but wasn’t anywhere near as influential as Brisbane’s engine-roomers, who owned the midfield momentum from the get-go. Jonathan Brown at half-time called Carlton’s midfield “poor”, and Walsh was objectively far from his best — with a few too many average disposals. However, like a few Blues, he slowly built into the game in the second half, finishing with 28 disposals — but just eight contested — four clearances, four inside-50s and five score involvements. 6
