At the SCG, Carlton couldn’t overcome Sydney, losing by 52 points on Friday night.
In the annual Marn Grook clash, Carlton began strongly, booting the first four goals. However, they struggled to maintain momentum as Sydney delivered a clinical performance in front of their supporters.
Nic Newman shone in Carlton’s defensive line (32 disposals, 668 meters gained), while Marc Pittonet held his ground against the dynamic Brodie Grundy (21 disposals, 16 contested possessions).
Charlie Curnow was the only multiple goal-scorer for Carlton, setting a new record for consecutive games with a goal with his first of the match.
Patrick Cripps and Matthew Kennedy fought valiantly for the away team under challenging circumstances, with Cripps tallying 14 contested possessions and Kennedy laying seven tackles.
Sydney’s swift midfield play gave them the upper hand, resulting in 31 points scored from center bounces and securing the victory.
First Quarter
Carlton dominated early on, kicking the first four goals. Mitch McGovern started the scoring, assisted by Ollie Hollands, who was active in the forward line. Charlie Curnow’s goal marked a new milestone, surpassing Harry Vallence’s record for consecutive games with a goal at 57. Harry McKay and Matt Owies added consecutive goals, giving Carlton a strong start. Although Sydney fought back, Jordan Boyd and Nic Newman played crucial roles in defense, while Carlton displayed efficient ball movement. Sam Walsh seized an opportunity with a forward-half turnover, but Sydney responded with two goals of their own. Carlton had eight scoring opportunities from 10 inside 50 entries, leading by nine points at quarter-time.
Second Quarter
Sydney dominated the second quarter, maintaining their momentum from late in the first period. Preventing Carlton from scoring, the Swans were in top form, scoring five goals and stifling any opposition movement with their tackling pressure. Despite Jacob Weitering and McGovern’s efforts to intercept in defense, Sydney’s rapid ball movement through the center made it challenging to stop. Elijah Hollands and Blake Acres worked hard to move the ball for Carlton, but they struggled to capitalize on their opportunities inside 50. Patrick Cripps battled fiercely, accumulating 12 contested possessions and four clearances by halftime. However, Carlton’s lack of composure led to sloppy tackles and questionable decision-making. Nic Newman continued to make an impact, maintaining a 100 percent kicking efficiency until the final minute of the quarter. Nonetheless, Sydney went into halftime with a 14-point lead.
Third Quarter
Carlton scored at the beginning and end of the quarter, but in between, Sydney kicked seven consecutive goals. Asserting their dominance in the midfield, Sydney had all the solutions while Carlton struggled to maintain possession. The home side utilized their speed to surge forward, finding open teammates in advanced positions. With Brodie Grundy setting the tempo, Sydney dominated center bounce clearances 8-1 in the third quarter, translating into a 19-1 points advantage. Newman and Boyd continued their defensive efforts, while Matt Kennedy led Carlton’s pressure statistics up to three-quarter time. Newman consistently pushed up the field, leading his team in meters gained, but Carlton’s performance in the forward half fell short. Failing to execute tackles and secure marks, Carlton couldn’t capitalize on their defensive efforts, entering the final quarter trailing by 45 points.
Fourth Quarter
Carlton persevered until the end, intensifying their pressure and eventually finding some success on the scoreboard. Zac Williams scored his first goal of the season, a personal milestone during Sir Doug Nicholls Round, while George Hewett added Carlton’s only other goal for the quarter. The Hollands brothers displayed tireless effort throughout the match, ranking in the top five for distance covered by the game’s conclusion. Brodie Kemp delivered a solid performance in defense, accumulating 19 disposals and nine intercept possessions, stepping up in place of Weitering. Despite Sydney adding three more goals, they secured a 52-point victory in the Marn Grook contest.
Summary of the Match
Sydney: 3.6, 7.8, 14.12, 17.15 (117)
Carlton: 5.3, 5.6, 7.9, 9.11 (65)
GOALS
Carlton: Curnow 2, Hewett, Kennedy, McGovern, McKay, Owies, Walsh, Williams
TOP PERFORMERS
Carlton: Newman, Cripps, Acres, Kennedy, Curnow
INJURIES
Carlton: Weitering (thigh)
