Carlton’s recruiting team on Friday night would’ve been mightily pleased with their recent trade acquisitions.
Plus an unlikely hero inside 50 starred on the big stage.
Every Carlton player rated out of 10 from its elimination final against Sydney.
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3. Jesse Motlop
Started as Carlton’s sub then replaced Harry McKay for the fourth term. Didn’t touch the ball. N/A
5. Adam Cerra
Busy start with nine first-quarter disposals to set the tone for the match. Topped it off with a big third-term goal that set the MCG alight. Finished with 24 touches, seven score involvements and seven tackles. Fox Footy’s Garry Lyon said: “When they recruited Adam Cerra, this is the kind of night they recruited him for.” 7
8. Lachie Fogarty
Roamed across half-forward and applied great pressure all night. Brave effort in the opening seconds when he collided with Jake Lloyd. Applied a team-high eight tackles. 6
9. Patrick Cripps
Went head-to-head with Callum Mills in the midfield. Didn’t have a massive say on the game … until halfway through the third quarter when he flushed a set-shot attempt and sent Carlton fans bonkers with his first finals goal. Big seven-disposal last quarter. 6
10. Harry McKay
Indifferent night. Directly set up Carlton’s first two goals to Sam Docherty and Charlie Curnow and presented at the ball so well, both up the ground and close to goal. But somehow shanked two attempts from near point-blank range. Then copped an unfortunate knock late in the third term that saw him subbed out of the game. 6
11. Mitch McGovern
Rotated through various opponents throughout. Used the ball efficiently by foot out of defence and did his job with 16 touches. 6
12. Tom De Koning
Took the first centre bounce against Tom Hickey. Had a couple of big yet deft moments late in the game that led to Carlton scores. 5
13. Blake Acres
That future third-round pick trade is looking real good for the Blues now. Massive second half where his elite aerobic capacity took over. Had more disposals than any other Carlton player off the wing across the last two quarters. Kicked the match-winner. 8
15. Sam Docherty
Fairytale start, pushing forward from the wing and snapping the first goal of the game. Did a decent job early also curtailing Errol Gulden’s output. Had 21 disposals and six marks. 6
17. Brodie Kemp
Took his strong home and away form into the finals. Made a costly error at the start of the fourth quarter, opting not to rush a behind, fumbling and gifting Luke Parker a goal. Outside of that, very solid game. 6
18. Sam Walsh
Made for finals, as we all expected. Gave the Blues so much drive forward of centre. Showed off his incredible workrate and will to win in the fourth quarter to spoil the ball away from Logan McDonald and stop a certain set-shot attempt. Finished with 29 disposals, 17 contested possessions, nine inside 50s, six clearances and six tackles. He was clean in tough conditions and strong at the coalface. Fox Footy’s Nathan Buckley said: “His workrate from the first siren to the last is what increases his impact and he was able to roll that out for four quarters.” 8
21. Jack Martin
Presented well across half-forward and converted a set-shot goal late in the second term. And when he nailed an attempt from a tight angle, he steadied the Blues amid a fierce Swans comeback. And with the game still up for grabs, he dropped back to take several clutch intercept marks. But he faces a nervous wait, with a possible first-quarter strike to Nick Blakey to be closely assessed by the MRO. 7
Blakey left dazed after MASSIVE hit | 00:27
22. Caleb Marchbank
Shaky start, but warmed into the game in a high half-back role and got into great positions to impact the game. Had 16 disposals, six marks and six intercepts. 6
23. Jacob Weitering
Stood next to Joel Amartey at the start of the game. Excellent balance between knowing when to stay and run off his man. Had eight intercepts. 7
24. Nic Newman
Shocking kick-in error gifted Sydney its first goal to Errol Gulden, but had a game-high 11 disposals in the first quarter. Finished with 23 disposals and went at 83 per cent by foot. 7
27. Marc Pittonet
Was worth bringing back into the side. Had four clearances and 10 of his 24 hit-outs went to a teammate’s advantage. 5
28. David Cuningham
Was a constant presence across half-forward all night. Kicked one goal from nine touches and four tackles. 5
29. George Hewett
Seemed to thrive playing against his old side. Finished with 25 touches, 13 contested possessions and seven clearances. 7
30. Charlie Curnow
Had the MCG rocking after dribbling through his first goal then set up another for Matt Cottrell via a clever tap. Pushed up the ground hard in the fourth quarter and took some strong marks on the wing. Just the one goal, but four contested marks. 4
39. Alex Cincotta
Had nine disposals for the night. 4
42. Adam Saad
There’s something different about a finals ‘woof’ — and Blues fans were woofing lots as the running man consistently was fed the ball. Big game with 23 disposals, 11 intercepts, eight rebound 50s, seven marks and went at 81 per cent efficiency by foot. 8
44. Matthew Owies
Was so unselfish that he almost pulled off the clanger of the year in the second quarter, only for his kick to just squeeze through for a goal from point-blank range. Five touches, but five tackles. 4
46. Matthew Cottrell
Carlton’s lively finals wildcard. Attacked the ball hard both in the air and on the ground. Kicked a first-quarter goal thanks to a clever Charlie Curnow tap then followed up with his second in the second term. Fox Footy’s Nathan Buckley said: “I’m pretty sure when Sydney did their match committee that Cottrell wouldn’t have been high up there in guys that can hurt you … but he’s been damaging everywhere he’s gone. He covers as much ground as anyone in the field. He wasn’t in their best side earlier in the year, but he’s forced his way in there.” 7
