Friday Fallout: Carlton caput in the wake of Dangerfield masterclass

Geelong v Carlton

If there’s one thing you can trust more than a momentum-charged Carlton, it’s the poise and quiet confidence of a Chris Scott-led Geelong.

Despite the game having all the hallmarks of yet another Carlton takeover, especially when Ollie Hollands slotted one in the second term to put the Blues up 13-34, you just knew the Cats would come.

And come they did, putting on six goals to two in the third term in what felt like a genuine flattener for Carlton, and proved to be impossible to quell.

The Blues’ transition game and attempts to cut through the middle of the MCG proved ineffectual to the prepared and disciplined Cats defensive structure in the second half.

Patrick Dangerfield’s 21 touches and five goals clearly made him the most influential man on the ground, and the value of the 36-year-old in this finals series will be a huge asset for the Cats.

Tom Stewart (20 disposals, seven marks) held down the fort in defence while Gryan Miers (24 disposals, two goals) continues to impress with his ACL seemingly causing no issues.

Max Holmes looked proppy and spent the least amount of time on ground of anyone (60 per cent). It will be interesting to see if Geelong take the risk again next week.

Josh Fraser will hope to add some more strings to their bow in attack in 2027 but will be immensely proud of his efforts and his side’s transformation in such a short amount of time.

For Geelong, a trip to Perth awaits as they look to eliminate Fremantle in straight sets and walk into a third consecutive, and seventh of the last eight Prelim finals weekends.

Ethan Clark