Voss concedes Blues ‘are not good enough’ as ‘ticking timebomb’ lingers
By Marc McGowan
A lot of people are hurting at Carlton, even if they are mostly putting on brave faces.
Patrick Cripps’ mum is one of them. Harry McKay’s mum, who offered a vigorous double-fist celebration in the stands on Friday night after her wonky-kicking son slotted the Blues’ opening goal, is another. McKay himself. All the players, in fact.
Even the doorman in the Carlton rooms, who spoke for all the club’s faithful when he uttered: “I was really hoping we’d win that.”
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Disappointed: Michael Voss, senior coach of the Blues, leaves the field following his team’s defeat.Credit: Getty Images
McKay kicks goals, but Blues miss the points
By Greg Baum
Carlton needed some straight answers last night. They got one. Beleaguered Harry McKay kicked the Blues’ first three goals of the match – admittedly, it took until the third quarter – but that was about it.
Coleman Medal leading confrere Charlie Curnow escaped Stephen May’s straitjacket only once, for one goal, and Carlton slipped to a 17-point defeat at the hands of a workmanlike Melbourne in a Friday night clash that was special only in the sense that it was cheaper than the usual fare. That’s with apologies to Christian Petracca.
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Melbourne’s Max Gawn (left) and Kade Chandler enjoy the moment.Credit: AFL Photos
History in Power’s sights
If Port Adelaide win today, it will be nine wins in a row for them, which will set a new club record for consecutive victories.
The Power have won eight games on the trot on four occasions: in 2002, 2003, 2014 and now in 2023.
Jason Horne-Francis.Credit: Getty Images
The season so far: The stars, the shocks and all the big moments
By Jon Pierik
Whether it be the dash of Collingwood’s Nick Daicos or the eloquence of Darcy Moore, the poise of the Western Bulldogs’ Marcus Bontempelli, the rash of star rookies, the resurgence of the Bombers and Saints, or the disappearing act that is Carlton and West Coast, there has been much to dissect through an intriguing first half of season 2023.
As the bye rounds play out and the 18 teams each take a mid-season breather over the coming weeks, The Age takes a look at how this must-watch campaign is shaping up at the halfway point.
The stars of season 2023 … so far.Credit: Stephen Kiprillis
Butters’ star is rising but he hasn’t forgotten his old club
By Carla Jaeger
It was a star performance that received star praise.
“A tough, brave, little prick,” Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley said of his 22-year-old midfielder, Zak Butters.
Butters had dazzled in front of thousands at Adelaide Oval (41 touches, two goals), playing his best AFL game in his 79-game career, helping clinch a four-point victory over the Dees in the round-10 clash.
This masthead described his performance as “the finest game of his burgeoning career”.
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Zak Butters is making his mark in the game.Credit: Getty Images
Today’s milestone
Dom Sheed (WC) – 150 games
Dom Sheed.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Greetings, everybody
By Ronny Lerner
Hello everyone and welcome to our live, rolling coverage of all of the Saturday AFL action for Round 12.
First cab off the rank is a clash between the red-hot Power and in-form Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval.
The twilight fixture is a David-versus-Goliath affair as the rock bottom Eagles host the high-flying Magpies at Optus Stadium.
And then the night-time double-header sees the Western Bulldogs take on Geelong at Marvel Stadium, and Gold Coast meet Adelaide at TIO Stadium in Darwin.
So strap yourselves in and get yourselves comfortable, because there is a lot of football coming your way over the next 11 hours!
Scott Lycett and Ned Reeves.Credit: Getty Images
