The Good Friday fixture finally came of age, as twin towers Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow feasted on an undermanned North Melbourne defence and combined for 10 goals to ensure Carlton’s unbeaten run through four rounds was preserved.
Under the closed Marvel Stadium roof, Curnow booted six goals and had nine marks, while McKay added four goals, including a career-high 14 marks, leading to a 23-point win against the valiant Kangaroos. The pair had all five of the Blues’ majors to half-time, coming on a night the Blues confirmed their best start to a season since 1995 – their last premiership year.
A mix of athleticism and skill, marking talls McKay and Curnow may be the best one-two punch in the league. On this occasion, they made sure to give each other space, with one often pushing up to the wing or even half-back. The other then prospered inside attacking 50. McKay had four marks inside 50 in the third term alone. It’s a blueprint they need to maintain.
That’s the way we are heading: Charlie Curnow had three goals in an impressive first half.Credit: Getty Images
“We still have a lot to improve on … football is fun at the moment,” Curnow said.
The Kangaroos led by two points at half-time and soon extended that to 10 when the pugnacious Cam Zurhaar delivered a spearing left-foot goal. But a Blues’ blitz from that point – they booted six straight to end the term – meant they turned for home with a 25-point edge.
It was the Blues’ most profitable term of the season. Beaten in contested possession through the first half, the Blues responded with aggression in the third. For fans longer in the tooth, it brought back memories of the famous third terms of the 1980s – dubbed the “premiership quarter” – when the Blues often took charge.
Bulls at a gate: Patrick Cripps and Bailey Scott battle for possession on Friday evening.Credit: Getty Images
With North missing key defensive planks Ben McKay (bone stress in right foot) and Griffin Logue (suspended), coach Alastair Clarkson was forced to improvise when it came to trying to tame McKay and Curnow, not to mention Tom De Koning and Jack Silvagni.
In what is a system-based defensive set-up where guarding space, rather than purely a man, is paramount, it appeared a case of musical chairs for Aiden Bonar and Aidan Corr, and particularly the undersized Luke McDonald and Jack Ziebell, who also spent time on McKay and Curnow. Ultimately, size did matter.
Curnow added his fourth to start the final term (the fifth goal the Roos had conceded from a free kick), all but securing victory. The Blues led by 46 points at one point, but the Kangaroos rallied late.
Rebounding half-back Adam Saad, the Blues’ No.1-ranked player heading into this contest, was superb. His slicing kicks sparked many a counter-attack. Fellow defender Mitch McGovern was also important, but he finished the contest with a corkie, having hurt himself earlier. Midfielders Patrick Cripps and Adam Cerra and half-forward Zac Fisher also got busy.
Star Kangaroos midfielder Luke Davies-Uniacke, returning from injury, was best afield early, while Ziebell was steady in defence. Todd Goldstein shaded Marc Pittonet in the ruck, and Zurhaar did his best to will the Roos over the line. Harry Sheezel’s strong rookie campaign continued, boasting a game-high 37 disposals.
Clarkson made the call to replace veteran Ben Cunnington (10 disposals) with substitute Hugh Greenwood with five minutes left in the third term. Cunnington did not appear pleased.
The veteran coach had described this match as a “marquee” fixture, but the Kangaroos’ recent poor performances on the day sparked debate whether they should remain a feature.
The Kangaroos may again have been beaten, but this time there was no shame. That the stadium was filled close to capacity with 49,062 fans for the first time on this occasion rubber-stamped the Kangaroos’ claims.
Pain game
In a largely dour second term (admittedly there were eight lead changes to half-time), Nick Larkey’s willingness to fight through the pain of a hip issue was notable. As the Roos’ No.1 forward target, Larkey knew he had to have a presence and keep opponent Jacob Weitering busy. That he did, including with a tackle that forced a stoppage, and led to a successful Jaidyn Stephenson snap, for the Roos’ fourth goal. Stephenson particularly impressed Clarkson minutes later when he and Liam Shiels forced a stoppage on the wing. Clarkson turned to his bench and appeared to point out that’s the toughness his team must have.
Party tricks
McKay breathed a sigh of relief after botching a regulation mark in the first term. McGovern at half-back had found Jesse Motlop on the wing, who found McKay alone about 40 metres from goal. But the big Blue, too keen to move the ball on to an open De Koning running into goal, dropped the mark. However, the left-footed McKay showed enough composure to avoid defender Corr and successfully go checkside with his shot at goal.
Best: Carlton: C Curnow, McKay, Cripps, Saad, Fisher. North Melbourne: Ziebell, Sheezel, Davies-Uniacke, Zurhaar
Votes:
8: Charlie Curnow (Carlton)
8: Harry McKay (Carlton)
8: Patrick Cripps (Carlton)
8: Adam Saad (Carlton)
7: Jack Ziebell (North Melbourne)
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