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Carlton\u2019s season has been one of the most remarkable in AFL history.<\/p>\n
The Blues began 2023 nicely, went into a deep recession that triggered a crisis, steadied themselves and then came roaring back with a surge that sent them from 15th to fifth by the end of the regular season.<\/p>\n
Now, they are playing Michael Voss\u2019 old team \u2013 the club he led to three flags on the trot \u2013 at the Gabba for a grand final berth, potentially against Collingwood, after a victory that was improbable throughout the final quarter, but materialised, as if the footy Gods willed it, in the final minute and a bit, as Blake Acres delivered the winning mark and goal.<\/p>\n
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Sheer joy: The Blues react after the final siren.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Eddie Jim<\/cite><\/p>\n Collingwood versus Carlton on grand final day. Contemplate that for a second, even if the odds are against the Blues at the Gabbatoir and the Pies have yet to win a prelim.<\/p>\n Having hung onto pip the Swans in their first final in a decade, the Blues entered this semi-final with a high level of belief, despite their lack of September experience compared with the 2021 premiers.<\/p>\n For the Blues, there was never a question about their grit, or ability to win contests, even against a team with similar traits, plus more established stars \u2013 Max Gawn, Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver and Steven May in particular \u2013 and which I fancied might have more poise when the ball was white-hot, with 96,000-plus roaring.<\/p>\n The sweetest victory for the Blues.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Eddie Jim<\/cite><\/p>\n Finals such as this are decided by decisions and moments. At the crunch, when reputations are made and unmade, the Blues executed better. Seasoned Dees, such as Jack Viney, did not execute with the footy.<\/p>\n Bayley Fritsch and Gawn were among those who missed gettable shots (Gawn hitting the post). Oliver\u2019s superb shot from the boundary was touched on the line, possibly by Gawn.<\/p>\n The deciding moment came with only about a minute remaining. Sam Docherty marked strongly about 80 metres from goal, out near the edge of the centre square. Ollie Hollands, the sub with run in his legs, had booted the ball to Docherty, who did well to mark overhead given his sore shoulder.<\/p>\n Docherty\u2019s team trailed by five points. Not much time. He made the right decision.<\/p>\n Docherty booted long to the top of the goal square, where Acres, who had already entered Carlton folklore \u2013 not quite Ted Hopkins of 1970, but making a case for posterity after his game against Sydney \u2013 leapt in a two on one and clunked what was the match\u2019s most consequential mark.<\/p>\n Acres played from the goal square and, for a second, it seemed he\u2019d missed the unmissable (and failed to milk the clock). But the rapture behind the goals signalled that the Blues were a point ahead.<\/p>\n Acres had floated down there from the wing. Mitch McGovern, a defender, had created a two-on one. What was McGovern doing there?<\/p>\n \u201cBlakey Acres went obviously went forward was able to create a two v one with Mitch McGovern who went forward to equalise (Melbourne\u2019s spare man),\u201d explained Carlton development coach, and former Geelong premiership player, Tom Lonergan.<\/p>\n The Blues only needed a minute of ball-ups and no balls-ups. They hung on \u2013 as they had against the Swans.<\/p>\n The Blues had seemed destined to lose for most of the final quarter, as Melbourne owned most of the play and had multiple chances to take a larger lead \u2013 and the Demons\u2019 lead never exceeded two kicks, as a succession of chances were botched. Melbourne\u2019s profligacy was the story of their finals series, delivering a consecutive straight-sets exit from the top four.<\/p>\n The Blues lost the contested possessions (-16) and ground balls (-23). May was outstanding in out-pointing Charlie Curnow. But Carlton\u2019s disposal efficiency was superior, and they converted timely shots.<\/p>\n Propelled by the run of Sam Walsh, the smarts of Adam Cerra, and defender Nic Newman\u2019s ability to find the ball, the Blues had seemed capable of overwhelming the Dees for periods of the second and third terms. Melbourne\u2019s counter-offensive was impressive, but their score of 4.13 from turnovers was their undoing.<\/p>\n Jacob Weitering represented a road block for the troubled and depleted Melbourne forward line. Joel Smith, though, stood up superbly in attack with three sorely needed goals. Fritsch and Kysaiah Pickett were much improved in the second half, though opportunities were squandered.<\/p>\n If Weitering was the player who encapsulated the mid-season transformation \u2013 his re-discovery of form critical to the turnaround \u2013 then the club\u2019s most accomplished younger player, Walsh, represented the missing piece for the finals.<\/p>\n Walsh began the season injured with a troublesome back, recoveredand returned, but for much of 2023 he did not have that zip and zest that placed him third in the Brownlow in 2021.<\/p>\n He was outstanding in this final \u2013 probably best of the 46 players afield. He kept running and finding the ball, from end to end, siren to siren.<\/p>\n Carlton\u2019s season, and finals series, has had the mark of the miracle. They\u2019ve defied their position, during the season and in the finals \u2013 especially against the Demons. Somehow, they\u2019ve found themselves in front at the siren.<\/p>\n As with the club hierarchy\u2019s decision to unequivocally support Voss \u2013 a move that seems easy now \u2013 it came down to making the right calls.<\/p>\n Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. <\/i><\/b>Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter<\/i><\/b>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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