He’s been dubbed Brisbane’s most improved player this year, but Jack Payne will face no tougher opponent than red-hot Blues star Charlie Curnow on Friday night.
The Blues (4-1-2, 113.3%) head into the clash on the back of their 108-point victory over West Coast in Perth, in a match where Curnow kicked nine goals.
The Lions (5-2, 120.4%) meantime go into Friday’s blockbuster at Marvel Stadium without veteran duo Dayne Zorko and Daniel Rich.
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Round 8 team news headlines | 00:54
Brisbane coach Chris Fagan said he expected Payne to get the match up on Curnow – who sits equal top of the Coleman Medal race after seven rounds.
“He’s a big strong lad, he’s getting belief in himself,” Fagan said on AFL 360.
“It means for us Harris (Andrews) doesn’t necessarily have to play on the best forward … and (he can) take an opportunity to zone off and assist a bit more.”
The match is game 150 for inspirational Carlton leader Sam Docherty.
The subs are Matt Kennedy (Carlton) and Jarryd Lyons (Brisbane).
The clash gets underway at 7.50pm AEST from Marvel Stadium.
Watch it live on Fox Footy (channel 504) from 7pm AEST.
QUARTER-BY-QUARTER MATCH REPORT
In the battle of the two opposing Charlies, it was Brisbane’s Cameron who had the first real look at goal as he got out the back at stoppage.
Luckily for the Blues, Lewis Young put his best goalkeeping skills on display as he got a touch on the footy before it crossed the goal line.
Cameron was involved again as he pulled away with pace at half forward to get the ball over the back to Jack Gunston but the footy just wouldn’t sit for him.
“It was a complete airy!” commentator Brian Taylor said.
But the sheer territory dominance saw the Blues crack moments later when Lincoln McCarthy kicked the first.
Down the other end, it was inspirational leader Sam Docherty in game 150 who got the Blues on the board with his quick snap.
“What a story!” commentator James Brayshaw.
“His teammates get around him and so they should.”
Goals to Gunston and Joe Daniher opened up an early lead for Brisbane but once again it was Charlie Curnow who got the Blues going.
Curnow’s shot on goal had come from a tough 50m penalty against Daniher, who had no idea the umpire was calling him to stand on the Silvagni mark.
“He’s in the zone,” commentator Matthew Richardson said.
“Super confident every time he goes near it!”
Carlton coach Michael Voss would have been pleased when, on the back of six of eight inside 50s, the Blues were efficient in attack – thanks to goals to Ed Curnow and Corey Durdin.
Defensive intercepts proved the big statistic of the opening term as both sides engaged in a “shootout”.
A costly late turnover from Jacob Weitering, where he tried to spear a centring pass and missed Docherty, saw Cameron cash in as he got out the back and goaled from the square.
At quarter time, it was Brisbane leading 33-31.
The Lions were on the board first in the second term, thanks to a big tackle from Cameron on an unsuspecting Silvagni.
With the Blues hemmed in, Silvagni turned into the Cameron tackle and was pinged, as tempers threatened to boil over.
When Oliver Hollands tried to fend off and dived over the boundary line moments later, the Lions had another shot on goal, but this time Gunston hit the post.
Both teams won holding the ball free kicks in their defensive ends as the pressure really ramped up. Sam Walsh and Brandon Starcevich went on with their scuffle in the centre of the field.
“Great heat from both teams,” Richardson praised.
“(But) both have lost of bit of their composure.”
The Blues lost McKay midway through the second term after he copped a stray Harris Andrews elbow to the face.
And they just couldn’t win the footy at half forward, missing that final connection before going inside 50.
“It’s just been played between the half back lines this quarter,” Richardson lamented.
Brisbane extended their lead through Jack Gunston when the Blues backline fell asleep with some sloppy defence.
Hugh McCluggage was able to hit up Gunston who led from the goalsquare with a little 15m kick from the boundary.
“Carlton have got numbers everywhere – but they aren’t really doing anything,” Richardson said.
“That’s really poor.
“That’s inexcusable – that shouldn’t be a goal ever.
“They had 17 players back there and Gunston was able to take an uncontested mark.”
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