Blues’ dark end to this year’s finals hopes
GOLD Coast all but ended Carlton’s season with an 11.10 (76) to 8.9 (57) win against the Blues on the back of midfield domination.
The Blues led by nine points at halftime but could only muster three goals when they needed them most in the second half.
The Suns’ midfield, namely Noah Anderson (30 disposals, nine clearances and 546-metres gained) and Touk Miller (35 disposals, seven clearances and two goals), dominated inside and were too much for Sam Walsh and Patrick Cripps to handle. Will Powell (29 disposals, 531m gained, 10 intercepts and a goal) was immense for the Suns defensively, hardly losing a contest and providing scintillating rebound.
David Teague and Carlton will lament the second half fade-out. But, truth be told, the Blues simply did not have enough gears to stay with the Suns. Other than a Jack Martin goal early in the third quarter, it was all Gold Coast as the Suns opened up a seven-point lead at the final change.
Goals to former Wanderers star Joel Jeffrey – his first at this level – Alex Sexton, Brayden Fiorini and Zac Smith were just reward for the Suns, who controlled the ball and had 33 more disposals than Carlton in the quarter.
Anderson and Miller were able to establish their superiority around the ball and had 10 touches each for the term.