Carlton have had ache piled on ache after one other insipid efficiency in opposition to Sydney on the SCG for the annual Marn Grook fixture.
The contest formed as one of many largest of the season so far, with vital finals implications for the winner, whereas the loser would possible be relegated to bottom-eight purgatory for the rest of the yr.
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Going down 11.11 (77) to six.15 (51), the loss marked probably the most dire performances for the Blues this season, seeing them criticised from all sides.
Three-time Jason Dunstall criticised Carlton kicking 15 behinds, giving them a mark of 41 behinds of their final three matches, asking “what is the work they are actually doing?” on Fox Footy.
Former Hawk Ben Dixon stated: “You’ve got to finish the job, that’s why you get paid $800,000 a year, to finish the job, it’s your craft.”
Social media lit up after the newest loss and supporters have been livid on the show produced in opposition to an injury-ravaged Sydney outfit.
Former Coleman Medallist Harry McKay bore the brunt of the criticism, spraying the ball in all instructions to kick no objectives, three behinds.
SEN’s Nic Negropontis stated: “If Carlton had a viable next option on their list, Harry McKay would probably get omitted this week.”
Football social media persona Lenny Phillips joked at one level: “Harry McKay (is) about to confront his greatest fear: a set shot 30m out in front.”
Another social media person merely raged: “Harry McKay can’t kick a drop punt and should be in the VFL.”
Journalist Leo Puglisi stated it regarded like “that’s Carlton’s season over for 2023”, whereas News Corp’s Tim Michell merely stated “Yuck.”
One social media person even recommended that Harry McKay’s kind in entrance of objective was “nearing Ben Simmons territory”, suggesting you’d slightly concede kicks in entrance of objective to McKay and let him miss, slightly than trouble contesting the ball and probably letting the ball go to a extra competent scorer.
“Can’t wait for the first team who decides that Hack-a-Harry is a legitimate tactic,” referring to the tactic used on equally inept free throw shooter Shaquille O’Neal within the NBA.
“Jeez, Harry McKay looks cooked at the moment,” stated one other social media person.
“It has gone beyond his goalkicking now. Lost his marking. Lost his fierce attack on the ball. Lost his want to even have the pill.”
“Carlton are a shambles of a club,” declared one other.
“Relegate them.”
Salt was additional rubbed into the wound with captain Patrick Cripps injured midway by way of the fourth quarter.
Midfielder George Hewett was additionally concussed attempting to sort out Lance Franklin within the second quarter, which activated sub Ed Curnow.
Coleman Medal chief Charlie Curnow noticed loads of the ball and took some sensational marks, however like his teammates couldn’t convert the alternatives.
Buddy quiet as historical past beckons
Lance Franklin was been saved goalless for the fourth time in his eight video games this season, which incorporates three of the previous 4 weeks.
Franklin endured a sluggish begin to 2023 earlier than he regarded to have discovered kind with three objectives in opposition to North Melbourne final week.
But it proved one other quiet evening for the veteran who is sort of actually within the last season of his embellished profession.
The 36-year-old is averaging simply 1.25 objectives per sport this season, properly down on his profession common of three.03 per sport.
Franklin wanted one objective in opposition to Carlton to leapfrog Doug Wade into outright fourth on the AFL/VFL all-time objectives record.
A roar went up each time Franklin touched the ball however he couldn’t ship the elusive 1058th objective the Swans devoted have been determined to see.
Franklin, who has performed 349 video games, is 196 objectives off Jason Dunstall (1254) who sits in third behind Gordon Coventry (1299) and Tony Lockett (1360).
De Koning fires again into kind
The gifted Tom de Koning returned for the Blues on the expense of Jack Silvagni and delivered a stable efficiency in his first AFL sport since being dropped a month in the past.
The ruck-forward took a robust pack mark late within the first quarter and booted the objective to place his facet inside three factors on the first break.
“Such a talked about footballer and that’s how you keep people quiet, mark and goal, nicely done,” James Brayshaw stated in commentary.
De Koning took one other robust mark within the second quarter beating three Swans defenders after which hit Charlie Curnow inside 50.
“That’s a massive win, he was three on one, contested mark down the line, really good stuff,” Matthew Richardson stated.
The 23-year-old is among the most sought-after gamers set to hit the market and has been linked to the Swans and Saints.
De Koning has been referred to as the subsequent $1 million participant however hypothesis is rife he’ll depart Ikon Park on the finish of the season.
Miss of the season contender
Carlton ahead Matt Owies produced arguably the worst miss of the season, with a howler within the first quarter.
Owies had a set shot 40 metres from objective in the precise pocket, however he sprayed it to date off the facet of his boot that it ended 15 rows into the stands and nowhere close to the sticks.
Brian Taylor was left surprised within the commentary field and declared “he wasn’t far off missing the ball”.
“What happened there?” James Brayshaw stated.
“I don’t know, did he get it too far outside the body? I’d love to see that on replay, that was a complete muff,” Taylor responded.
Owies was quiet for the remainder of the evening, whereas teammate Harry McKay additionally endured a forgettable evening off the boot with two stunning set photographs of his personal.
– with NCA NewsWire
Originally revealed as Insipid Carlton watch finals possibilities slip away at SCG in loss to Sydney
Source: www.news.com.au
