GIANT KILLERS
BIG man Matthew Kreuzer, above, led the way as lowly Carlton yesterday upset premiership favourite Greater Western Sydney at Etihad Stadium. GWS missed its chance to grab top spot on the AFL ladder as the Blues maintained the pressure all day before pulling off a pulsating one-point win.
CELLAR dweller Carlton has stunned Greater Western Sydney, handing the Giants only their third loss of the season with a nailbiting one-point win at Etihad Stadium yesterday.
The plucky Blues led at every break, fell behind early in the final quarter and then bounced back to claim the victory.
Giants midfielder Dylan Shiel’s goal at the 17-minute mark of the fourth term was the last of the match, with Zac Fisher’s late behind enough to secure the win for the Blues.
GWS was made to pay for woeful inaccuracy in front of goal, with Toby Greene booting four behinds in the final term to finish with 0.5.
The second-placed Giants had dominated the midfield battle for most of the game but used the ball poorly and struggled in front of goal.
Milestone man Matthew Kreuzer (33 hitouts, six marks) starred for Carlton in his 150th game, taking over the ruck battle against Shane Mumford during a dominant third quarter.
Liam Jones (eight marks, 14 disposals) was an unlikely hero for the Blues in his first game for the season, racking up intercept marks while also minimising Jonathon Patton’s influence.
The one-time key forward is off-contract but did his chances of a new deal no harm with his impressive performance.
Carlton led by four points at three-quarter time but the Giants drew first blood in the final term through Shiel.
Carlton wrestled back the lead when Liam Sumner and Jed Lamb — two of eight exGiants on Carlton’s list — combined for a quick response, with Matthew Wright soon adding another goal.
Shiel (32 disposals, eight clearances) capped a superb game with his second goal to cut the deficit to two points, but it was not enough to deny Carlton its fourth win.
Carlton went a man down midway through the first quarter when veteran Alex Silvagni suffered a lower-leg injury after diving for a tackle.
The Giants had injury issues of their own, with cocaptain Phil Davis visibly struggling through a suspected ankle injury.