CARLTON 13.8 (86) d BRISBANE 12.13 (85)
KEY POINTS
McKay takes the points
Harry McKay may cause Blues fans more heartburn than any other player, but how much of it is recency bias? He was a Coleman medallist only two seasons ago. On this night, he was again overshadowed by the heroics of Charlie Curnow, who dragged Carlton back into the game with an explosive third quarter. But McKay was terrific – particularly as he played the whole game on Harris Andrews. The pair fought an absorbing struggle, with Andrews taking seven marks and McKay seven, each enjoying patches of dominance. McKay’s second goal to give the Blues back the lead, late in the third quarter, was nerveless. His mark and goal to win the match was the stuff of dreams for Blues fans.
Williams makes a difference
It’s been a very long eighteen months for Zac Williams, who hasn’t played a game since Collingwood ended Carlton’s season in round 23 of 2022. His return from injury has been long awaited, both by fans and coach Michael Voss, who became emotional talking about his return to the field this week. Williams quickly reminded everyone why he was missed. His raking kicks gained a mountain of territory for his side, including one bomb that cleared a pack and fell into the arms of Curnow for the first of his goals. And he was a vital part of Carlton’s surge back into the contest when all looked lost. He had 19 disposals and he’s a virtual new recruit.
Lions fear Coleman has done ACL
Of all the players to lose in round one, the Lions would be terribly disappointed by the injury to Keidean “Kiddy” Coleman. In the preliminary final last year, Coleman cut the Blues apart with his kicking, and he polled Norm Smith Medal votes the following week against Collingwood. So when Lachie Fogarty fell across his knee in the dying seconds of the second quarter, there was a collective intake of breath. The preliminary diagnosis was just a hyperextension but post game it was revealed the club fears Coleman will miss the rest of the season. “He will get a scan tomorrow,” Lions coach Chris Fagan said. “But at this stage it’s not looking great. It looks like an ACL. “We haven’t had much luck with ACLs, Hipwood, Rayner. Ashie last year and now Kiddy tonight. “It’s not confirmed but more than likely that is what we think. We get disappointed for all the lads that get those injuries because we know the road back is a long road back. It’ll create an opportunity for someone else, which will be there good fortune. If it goes the way we think, we’re sad for Kiddy.”