The Blue Review: Goodbye Hoodoo | Thebigtip

Retribution has never been so sweet - the streak is over! It has been 18 long years but the Blues have finally defeated the Swans in Sydney. The conditions were sloppy and a clean footy was hard to win but, in what was Carlton's most spirited effort in recent years, a 16-point win is a magnificent result.


Round 6: Sydney vs. Carlton
Sydney: 5.2.32, 5.8.38, 8.8.56, 10.11.71
Carlton: 3.1.19, 5.6.36, 8.9.57, 12.15.87

Goals
Sydney: McGlynn (4), McVeigh (2), Mumford (2), Moore, Jack
Carlton: Betts (4), Garlett (2), Walker (2), Waite, White, O'hAilpin, Joseph


Negatives

It has become a trend for the opposition to go forward and take easy marks in front of goal. It was less evident in the wet conditions but to be easily muscled out in a one-on-one situation is costly. We were lucky that they missed so many shots on goal in the second quarter.

In pack situations, we continue to lack awareness and communication when going up for the ball. Too many times do three men fly up for the ball to allow our opponents to run away with the ball. This has been going on for far too long - it's not too hard to stamp out of our game. The same goes for contested situations. When the ball is locked in tight, multiple guys go in to pull the ball out, only for them to knock it out to their advantage and blaze away.

Wet conditions continue to be our downfall. We weren't terrible in the first half but the difference between our brand in wet conditions in comparison to dry conditions is certainly noticeable.


Positives

I'll start this long list of positives by focusing on the master that is Chris Judd. There is no doubt that without him in the team, we would not have come back and 9 second half clearances proves that. He also managed a career high amount of contested possessions on his way to 33 disposals and 8 tackles. The pressure that he applied combined with his sheer determination puts him ahead of the pack (literally and figuratively). C. Judd, three votes.

The biggest comparison between this season and last season is the amount of skill we've brought into the team. Ed Curnow continued his magnificent start to his career (he is averaging over 20 disposals per game), Nick Duigan's defensive pressure was solid and David Ellard, who made his way into the team last week after a great 2011, proving to be a magnificent running option.

The out of form Blues stepped up their game as well. Bryce Gibbs was sensational on Adam Goodes, Jordan Russell played a blinder off the half back flank and Eddie Betts was inspirational with three third quarter goals to get us back in the match, four for the game.

Our second half was excellent in many ways. We destroyed the clearances (56-34), didn't allow the Swans to run and carry and punished the Swans' defenders for making costly mistakes. Our effective disposal rate went through the roof after the long break as well.

The Swans lead the competition in tackles and we managed to better them, 106 to 88. This kind of pressure in tough conditions is essential and the fact that we were able to go hard at every chance is a huge credit to the hardiness of every man wearing the navy blue tonight.


Every player out there deserves credit for their efforts tonight. No player played poorly; every player was extremely effective in their role from Setanta O'hAilpin breaking packs and roving from ruck contests to Jamison sticking to his man and running away with the ball glued to his hands. If you're a Carlton supporter (chances are that you support the Blues if you've read this far), do yourself a favour and get your hands on a copy of the game. You can be extremely pleased with the team's effort tonight.

You couldn't ask for a better way to go into a huge game against the Saints, who have also proven to be a bogey side in recent years, in the next round. The team's confidence will be through the roof and we will need every ounce of it to get across the line against, although out of form, a threatening St. Kilda line-up. For now, a delightful victory will leave a sweet taste in the mouths of everyone involved with Carlton.