Star’s ‘legend growing’ in PERFECT night; ‘incredible’ clutch hero repeats – Blues player ratings

There were several big Blues performances across the board on a memorable night for the club as it took down the Demons.

It included a perfect 10 to a breakout superstar who’s “legend is growing and growing.”

Every Carlton player rated out of 10 from its semi-final against Melbourne.

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3. Jesse Motlop

Dangerous whenever he went near the ball. Had Jake Bowey for company and Motlop did his part for the Blues with two goals including a crucial finish in the fourth to keep them alive. 6

5. Adam Cerra

Has shown this finals series exactly why the Blues recruited him – especially after a hot first quarter. Dropped away thereafter, but never stopped trying in a battle of two titan midfields including Cerra racking up 20 disposals, 11 contested, and five tackles. 7

7. Matthew Kennedy

Deployed forward on Jake Lever in an unusual matchup, though Kennedy was still able to hit the scoreboard. Not Kennedy’s normal influence he can have as a mid. 4

8. Lachie Fogarty

Just like he has in the back half of the season, Fogarty played an important forward pressure role under the heated finals intensity. 5

9. Patrick Cripps

The skipper has waited 10 long years for this, and it’d all feel worth it now. Below his best in the first half before really lifting – and lifting his side – during a crucial stretch in the third term. Cripps finished with 27 touches including a game-high 16 contested to go with nine clearances. Came from the field with a blooded nose in the second term after a bump from Kysaiah Pickett, but played on. Frankly, nothing was stopping Cripps on this night, with Channel 7’s Brian Taylor noting he’s “built for big-time footy.” 8

11. Mitch McGovern

Played an important lockdown role on Bailey Fritsch, who ended with 2.3 but was ultimately kept at bay. That was all McGovern needed to do, so a big tick for the Blues, while the defender had 20 disposals and nine intercepts, too. 7

12. Tom De Koning

Importantly kicked the Blues’ first two goals when they needed a lift after a slow start. If not for that, who knows how his side would’ve fared. Had some other big moments including picking up 15 touches, 12 of which were contested. “He helped turn around what was a pretty hard start for the Demon early in the piece,” Demons great Garry Lyon noted, while triple-premiership Lion Jonathan Brown added: “These are the opportunities for players to enhance their reputation, De Koning did that.” 7

13. Blake Acres

Kicked the ever-important match-winning goal … again. It capped off a big night for the Blues recruit as one of two majors from his 17 touches. Didn’t seem to be 100 per cent after overcoming a shoulder issue to play, but battled on admirably in inspirational stuff from the winger. The match-winning goal at the end entrenched his name in Blues history, with Channel 7’s Brian Taylor observing: “Acres seems to pop up often in these incredible situations.” 8

14. Oliver Hollands

The definition of playing your role. Came on early in the fourth term when the game was hot and still managed to have an impact. Provided invaluable run and carry for his side with some important touches including tallying four disposals and three marks in minimal game time. “I thought Ollie Hollands came on as the sub and had some magic moments,” Demons great Garry Lyon told Fox Footy post-match. 6

15. Sam Docherty

Pushed up to a wing on Ed Langdon and was his usual reliable self, working hard to create options for his teammates. Worrying scenes when the beloved Blue came from the field just before half-time with a dislocated shoulder before he fought on courageously with strapping on the joint in the second half. Will be a watch for next week. 7

17. Brodie Kemp

Responsible for Joel Smith, who was easily Melbourne’s most likely forward on the night. From that standpoint, Kemp unfortunately had his colours lowered in what’s been an otherwise great season for the defender. 3

18. Sam Walsh

Playing like he’s played 22 finals, not two. Absolute beast mode stuff and was particularly busy in the first half with 20 of his 34 disposals before helping will his side home late. His monster stat line included two goals – including a crucial go-ahead goal in the second term that caused Blues fans to erupt then another in the fourth to even the scores – to go with eight tackles, 11 contested possessions and 618 metres gained. “Looks like he’s built for finals football,” Brisbane legend Jonathan Brown noted, while ex-Magpies coach Nathan Buckley said Walsh was “becoming a more complete player as he goes along.” Demons great Garry Lyon summed it up perfectly post-match, saying the rising superstar’s “legend is growing and growing and growing.” Full marks. 10

22. Caleb Marchbank

Rotated on a few opponents including taking Christian Petracca when the Demons star went deep. An overall solid night from the defender, ending with 12 disposals, five marks and seven intercepts. 5

23. Jacob Weitering

There mightn’t be a better stopper in the game. Weitering locked up Tom McDonald, holding him goalless and picking up 19 touches himself with seven marks and a team-high 10 intercepts. Suffered a head knock in the fourth term but didn’t come off in what shapes as a potential key talking point. 8

24. Nic Newman

Gone to another level this year and has continued that ascension in finals. Got the better of Alex Neal-Bullen, stacking 30 disposals with 631 metres gained and 11 marks out of defence. “As Carlton’s season wore on, he’s just gotten better and better … he’s just been in great positions, he’s very steady and very sure,” Collingwood great Nathan Buckley told Fox Footy. 8

27. Marc Pittonet

Though he was far from the Blues’ best, Pittonet played a really important nullifying role on Max Gawn, at least in the first half, to ensure the star Demons ruckman didn’t get off the leash. 5

28. David Cuningham

Didn’t have much of an impact before getting subbed off in the fourth quarter for Ollie Hollands. 3

29. George Hewett

Ended with 18 touches in a solid enough showing without being a standout. A big-time tackle on Trent Rivers was a huge moment after Melbourne was denied an important Alex Neal-Bullen goal on a score review. 5

30. Charlie Curnow

Playing in a depleted forward line, the back-to-back Coleman medallist was well beaten by Steven May, with Curnow kicking just one goal. With it, however, Curnow became the fifth Blue ever to kick 80-plus goals in a season in a rare win for the star forward on the night. The fact he was so quiet and his side still found a way to win is telling. 3

39. Alex Cincotta

Had the big job on Kysaiah Pickett. To be fair, the 18-gamer did a good job for most of the night in keeping the star Dees forward honest enough even though he looked like exploding at times in an almost performance from Pickett. 5

42. Adam Saad

All quality. Provided his usual run and carry in a game of inches, and crucially, brought energy for Blues fans with that iconic ‘woof!’. Had 24 touches, eight of which were contested. 7

44. Matthew Owies

Very limited impact on a tough night for forwards. Still stood up in his moment, dobbing an important goal in the fourth quarter. 3

46. Matthew Cottrell

Has played a really important role for Michael Voss’ side, but had little impact in this one. 4