BLUES LOSE GAME AND KEY PLAYER
CARLTON big man Sam Rowe suffered what appeared to be a serious knee injury in his side’s 35-point loss to Fremantle in yesterday’s AFL clash at Domain Stadium.
The Blues raced out to a 28-0 lead in heavy rain but Fremantle booted 10 of the next 12 goals to set up the 13.8 (86) to 7.9 (51) win.
The result means Fremantle (6-3) surge into fifth spot ahead of next Saturday’s crunch clash with the Crows.
Rowe hobbled off early in the first quarter after hyperextending his right knee when Fremantle skipper Nat Fyfe dived across him in an attempted smother.
Rowe received strapping to his knee during a long stint on the sidelines. But his return to the field was short-lived, with Rowe collapsing in pain after his right knee buckled as he leaned against his opponent.
The Blues were down to two men on the bench before half-time when Dale Thomas (blurred vision) was ruled out after a hip to the head from teammate Alex Silvagni.
Fremantle forward Michael Walters broke the game open with three goals in the third quarter, while Lachie Neale (37 disposals) and Hayden Crozier (three goals) starred.