Carlton’s metamorphosis under caretaker coach Josh Fraser has gone to another level, with the Blues holding off premiership hopefuls Geelong in a Friday night thriller at the MCG.
What began as another ominous night against one of the competition’s heavyweights quickly became the latest piece of evidence that Carlton’s season – and perhaps their future – is being reshaped before the eyes of the football world.
The decision of goal umpire (and former Richmond, Port Adelaide and Melbourne star) David Rodan not to go to a score review for what should have been Ollie Dempsey’s game-opener will be a massive talking point for the weekend.
Replays showed the Cats wingman put the ball on to his shin, but Rodan confidently called it a behind.
Last month, after more than 30 seconds of play were scrubbed from a game following an incident involving St Kilda star Rowan Marshall in which he was deemed to have taken a mark before the ball crossed the behind line, the AFL changed the rules around ARC reviews.
AFL football operations boss Greg Swann – citing the delay to the game (nearly a minute all-up) – announced that the ARC would no longer overrule a goal umpire’s decision, unless the goal umpire had called for a review.
After conceding four of the first five goals and appearing in danger of being overwhelmed by Geelong’s relentless early pressure, the Blues responded with a brand of football that has become increasingly recognisable under Fraser; daring ball movement, aggressive rebound from half-back, and a willingness to take the game on through the corridor.
The result was a stirring victory that would have been difficult to imagine only a month ago.
Carlton looked a completely different team after quarter-time.
Where the Blues had often appeared stagnant and predictable under pressure earlier in the year, Fraser’s side repeatedly sliced through Geelong’s defensive set-up with speed and confidence.
The transformation was perhaps best embodied by Will Hayward, whose career has been revitalised since arriving at Ikon Park.
Hayward was electric throughout, providing energy, class and composure whenever the game threatened to swing Geelong’s way. His work rate up the ground and ability to impact in transition continually stretched the Cats and helped Carlton maintain scoreboard pressure.
But the emergence of Jagga Smith is becoming one of the stories of the season.
The young midfielder produced another performance that suggested he is rapidly becoming far more than just a promising prospect.
Smith dominated periods of the contest around stoppage, repeatedly bursting from congestion and driving Carlton forward. His poise with ball in hand belied his age, while his willingness to take territory and attack the corridor reflected the confidence currently surging through the Blues.
Alongside the established stars in Carlton’s midfield, Smith looked every bit at home on the biggest stage.
The Cats refused to disappear.
Premiership contenders do not win four straight games and entrench themselves near the top of the ladder without possessing genuine resilience, and Chris Scott’s side repeatedly threatened to steal the match.
Jeremy Cameron did not enjoy his most prolific evening, but his presence loomed over the contest from start to finish. He kicked four, but it could’ve easily been seven.
Every time the ball entered Geelong’s forward 50 there was a sense Cameron could change the game with a single moment.
Even on a relatively quiet night by his lofty standards, Carlton’s defenders could never afford to relax.
The same applied to Bailey Smith.
With his trademark headband, flowing blond hair and trademark running power, Smith at times cut Carlton apart.
Whenever Geelong appeared trapped in congestion, Smith seemed capable of creating something from nothing.
His ability to carry the ball through traffic repeatedly generated dangerous forward-half opportunities and threatened to drag the Cats back into the contest.
For long stretches he looked like the player most likely to determine the result.
Yet Carlton continually found the answers.
The Blues’ half-back line was outstanding.
Time and time again they repelled Geelong attacks before launching their own waves of offence, turning defence into attack with a boldness that has become increasingly synonymous with Fraser’s tenure.
The shift has been remarkable.
Only weeks ago Carlton looked a side weighed down by expectation and uncertainty.
Now they are playing with freedom.
Players are taking risks.
Young talent is flourishing.
And perhaps most significantly, the Blues are beginning to look like a team enjoying their football again.
