Match

Fremantle vs Carlton

Commentary / 06 Jul 2023

Pre Game

00:00
Carlton has won five of its last six matches against Fremantle, with its only defeat coming by 35 points at this venue last year. The Blues have also won three of their last four games in Perth.

Quarter 1

00:00
Q1 is now underway.
00:16
Fremantle has won only two opening quarters this season and also lost the opening quarter in its last four games of 2022.
02:42
The Dockers have lost all seven games this season when they have lost the clearance count and won seven of the eight games when they have won this measure. Carlton has won the first two clearances today.
03:29
SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Rushed)
03:34
The first score of the game to the Blues came from a forward half stoppage. Carlton has averaged only 12 points per game from this source (ranked 16th).
05:02
SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Blake Acres)
05:09
Carlton has an early 5-1 lead in clearances and both behinds have come from forward 50 stoppages. The Blues have scored from only 44 percent of their forward 50 clearances this season (ranked last).
06:49
Both of these teams rank in the top-5 for marks this season, but currently, Carlton has taken only one mark with the game being played in constant motion with high-pressure ratings.
09:35
Fremantle generated its first score of the game from an intercept in the defensive 50. The Dockers are ranked in the bottom-4 at both generating an inside 50 entry and scoring from a defensive 50 chain.
10:53
Carlton has an early 4-0 lead in forward half intercepts but has not been able to score this source. These intercepts have contributed to the early inside 50 dominance (7-2).
12:21
The Blues applied 87 tackles last week which is their most in a game since 2018. Carlton has an early 14-8 lead in the tackle count and is tracking for another high number of tackles.
13:37
Carlton has already applied nine tackles in its forward 50. The Blues average 9.1 such tackles per game.
15:11
SCORE GOAL - Blues (Matthew Kennedy)
15:20
The Blues now lead 8-0 in forward half intercepts with the last of these launching the goal to Matthew Kennedy. Carlton averages 22.1 forward half intercepts per game.
17:35
SCORE GOAL - Blues (Charlie Curnow)
17:45
Another forward half intercept led to the goal for Charlie Curnow. Carlton has a massive 53-8 lead in forward half disposals with Fremantle unable to clear the ball from its defensive half.
20:11
Fremantle has an early 4-1 lead in hitouts to advantage but also has had three of its hitouts sharked by Carlton players. The Blues have negated the Dockers at stoppages and then dominated territory from intercepts.
20:33
SCORE BEHIND - Dockers (Rushed)
22:10
SCORE GOAL - Blues (Matthew Owies)
22:35
Some terrific ball movements from its defensive 50 launched the last goal for the Blues. All three goals for Carlton have come from intercepts with the Blues recording a higher kicking efficiency (69 percent to 54 percent).
25:21
SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Rushed)
26:08
SCORE GOAL - Blues (Harry McKay)
26:30
The Blues recorded a score from 33.3 percent of their defensive midfield chains last week, which is their highest percentage this year. The last goal to Harry McKay was its first score of the game from their ninth such chain and again came from a turnover.
29:07
The edge for Carlton in contested possessions is being driven by dominance in hardball gets (16-5). Fremantle is ranked third-last in this measure but has won this count in each of the last games.
29:51
SCORE BEHIND - Dockers (Rushed)
30:29
Another slow start for the Dockers with this their worst first quarter against the Blues in Western Australia. Carlton edged Fremantle for clearances (13-10), but had major advantages in forward half intercepts (11-3), forward 50 disposals (26-10), and forward half marks (18-2).

Quarter 2

00:00
Q2 is now underway.
00:14
In the first quarter Fremantle matched Carlton for pressure at stoppages with tackles even, but post-clearance the Blues won the tackle count 18-12 and the pressure rating 193-162.
01:45
The Dockers have had five shots at goal but failed to score from all of these attempts with their three behinds all rushed. Fremantle has recorded a set shot scoring accuracy of 70.3 percent this season (ranked No.1).
03:11
SCORE GOAL - Dockers (Michael Walters)
03:19
Finally, a goal for the Dockers and it came from the accurate Michael Walters who has kicked 18.0 from the corridor this season, and is the only player of the top-50 goal-kickers without a behind in that zone.
04:20
SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Charlie Curnow)
05:33
SCORE BEHIND - Dockers (James Aish)
05:53
After Carlton had the first nine forward half intercepts of the game, Fremantle leads 6-4 in this count since but has scored only two behinds from this source.
06:53
SCORE GOAL - Dockers (Luke Jackson)
07:19
Fremantle leads the inside 50 count 4-1 this quarter and also leads 19-7 in forward half disposals after Carlton dominated these measures in the opening term.
08:58
SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Sam Walsh)
10:07
Nic Newman has made a prominent start for the Blues with his team-high five intercepts including three intercept marks and 12 of his 13 disposals have been effective.
13:09
Carlton has won the last four clearances of the game and now leads effective clearances 18-9 with this stoppage work also helping the Blues to the last four inside 50 entries.
13:52
SCORE GOAL - Blues (Charlie Curnow)
14:19
The Blues have now won six clearances in their forward 50 and scored 1.3.9 from these chains. Carlton averages 4.5 such clearances per game and has not generated more than four scores from this source in any game this season.
16:18
SCORE GOAL - Blues (Harry McKay)
16:45
A strong contested mark and goal to Harry McKay gives the Blues consecutive goals from forward half stoppages (they lead forward half clearances 13-3) and an 8-4 lead in contested marks.
18:42
SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Matthew Kennedy)
19:04
Fremantle has recorded a forward half kicking efficiency of only 44 percent which is contributing to Carlton holding an 8-2 lead in forward 50 marks and a 23-6 advantage in forward half marks.
21:47
SCORE BEHIND - Dockers (Lachie Schultz)
22:59
SCORE BEHIND - Dockers (Caleb Serong)
23:35
Carlton has averaged 8.1 smothers per game this season, but in an indication of the high pressure it has brought today has already recorded ten smothers.
24:03
SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Sam Docherty)
26:14
SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Rushed)
27:05
Luke Ryan has gained 530 metres per game this season which is ranked second of the top-50 disposal winners in the AFL. Ryan has recorded a game-high 398 metres gained today and also won a team-high six intercept possessions.
28:08
SCORE BEHIND - Dockers (Jaeger O'Meara)
29:40
Sam Docherty won 32 and 30 disposals respectively in his two games against the Dockers last season and is averaging 29 disposals on the road this season. Docherty has had 16 disposals in the first half today.
31:01
An even second quarter with the inside 50 entries level and both teams kicking two goals and missing some other opportunities. Fremantle won the clearances (13-10) and pressure rating (203-171), but Carlton has maintained its four-goal lead.

Quarter 3

00:00
Q3 is now underway.
00:32
The Dockers now lead hitouts to advantage 13-3 with this starting to help turn the clearances the way of Fremantle in the second term. The Dockers are ranked third in this measure.
02:32
There have already been 49 around-the-ground stoppages in this game which is contributing to the high-pressure ratings for both teams. Carlton averages 65 such stoppages in its games and Fremantle 70.
02:52
SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Charlie Curnow)
04:47
Both teams have had trouble moving the ball from the defensive 50 today with only two inside 50 entries for each team coming from these chains. The AFL average is 8.5 per game.
05:20
SCORE GOAL - Blues (Lachie Fogarty)
06:32
The first goal of the third quarter to the Blues followed a forward half intercept with Carlton recording the first four such intercepts of the quarter. The Blues lead 23-11 in forward half intercepts and 20-8 in points scored from this source.
08:04
An excellent long-range goal from Mitch McGovern with an assist from Matt Owies gives the Blues a game-high 38-point lead. It was the first goal today for Carlton from beyond 40 metres after missing its previous five attempts.
09:38
SCORE GOAL - Blues (Adam Cerra)
09:52
Carlton has kicked its last two goals from defensive 50 chains and now leads 18-2 in points scored from these chains. Since Round 13, the Blues have scored 23.7 points per game from defensive 50 chains (ranked No.1).
12:56
SCORE GOAL - Blues (Sam Docherty)
13:12
Carlton is dominating the third quarter with a 12-5 lead in ground balls, a 5-0 lead in forward half intercepts, and a 12-0 advantage in forward 50 disposals leading to four goals.
15:26
SCORE BEHIND - Dockers (Rushed)
15:55
Fremantle has failed to score from seven of its 13 shots at goal today, with four of its five shots at goal from beyond 40 metres failing to register a score.
18:52
Carlton now has an extraordinary 33-13 lead in hardball gets. The biggest differential for this measure in any game this season is 20.
19:29
Blues Interchange - Matthew Kennedy off due to an injury.
20:08
SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Jack Martin)
22:18
SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Rushed)
22:50
Adam Saad has won a team-high nine intercepts possessions for the Blues which includes three intercept marks. Carlton leads 17-14 in intercept marks and averages 17.9 per game (ranked fourth).
23:49
SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Harry McKay)
24:31
SCORE GOAL - Blues (Matthew Owies)
24:43
Seven goals in a row for the Blues who are completely dominating territory (inside 50 entries 45-28) and have been too strong in contests now leading 37-14 in hardball gets.
28:20
SCORE GOAL - Blues (Harry McKay)
28:28
Harry McKay has continued his good form today with three goals and six score involvements from his 16 disposals. All three of his forward 50 marks have been contested and he has also won four hardballs at ground level which is more than any Docker.
32:43
When Carlton last played at this venue in Round 7 against West Coast it led 96-25 at three-quarter time. The Blues will head into the final change with a similar scoreline, restricting Fremantle to its lowest score against Carlton to this point.
34:05
A powerful third quarter from the Blues who have continued their strong recent form. Carlton has bullied Fremantle to lead hardball gets 42-14 which is easily the biggest differential in any game this season. While clearances are close (34-30), Carlton leads 29-16 in effective clearances and 32-4 in points scored from stoppages.

Quarter 4

00:00
Q4 is now underway.
00:53
The run of goals for the Blues ended with a free kick and a goal to Jye Amiss. Carlton had conceded just 13 goals from free kicks this season before today, which is the fewest by any team, but two of the three goals today for the Dockers have come from free kicks.
04:36
SCORE BEHIND - Blues (David Cuningham)
04:56
Carlton has conceded a score from only 19.2 percent of opposition chains this season starting in the attacking midfield (ranked No.1 defensively). Fremantle has scored only 1.2.8 from 20 such chains today.
07:05
SCORE GOAL - Blues (Charlie Curnow)
07:16
Another goal for the Blues following a turnover by Fremantle. Carlton now leads 39-9 in points scored from forward half intercepts and has scored a season-high 23 points from forward 50 chains.
08:56
SCORE GOAL - Dockers (Michael Walters)
09:16
Both of the goals this quarter for Fremantle have come from centre bounce clearances. The Dockers lead 9-6 in such clearances and 12-1 in points scored from this source.
10:50
Patrick Cripps has won a total of 52 first possessions at ball-ups this season (ranked No.1 in the AFL), including three today. Cripps has won team-highs for contested possessions (13) and clearances today (7).
13:18
Sean Darcy has tried to give Fremantle an ascendancy at stoppages with a 22-4 domination in hitouts to advantage helping the Dockers to a 44-40 lead in first possession wins at stoppages, but Carlton has still won the clearances 39-33.
15:46
An opportunistic crumb and goal from Sam Switkowski gives the Dockers their second goal of the day from a defensive half chain. Fremantle leads 29-18 in crumbs.
19:16
SCORE GOAL - Blues (Matthew Cottrell)
19:47
Carlton now leads 24-2 in points scored from defensive 50 chains which continues its recent trend of improved scoring from these chains. The Blues did not kick any such goals from Rounds 10-12 but have kicked at least three of these goals in every game since.
22:41
Luke Ryan has recorded career-highs today for intercept possessions (17) and metres gained (874) and also contributed a team-high 34 disposals.
23:16
SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Harry McKay)
23:43
Dockers Interchange - Karl Worner and is possibly out for the game.
25:27
SCORE BEHIND - Dockers (Michael Walters)
27:58
SCORE GOAL - Dockers (Michael Frederick)
28:01
A powerful win for the Blues who annihilated the Dockers in hardballs (51-21), and then dominated territory through a combination of 33-17 forward half intercepts and 34-21 effective clearances. The only time Fremantle has scored less than 45 points against Carlton was in a time-shortened game in 2020.