Blues Break Through as Eagles Sink Deeper into Crisis
Carlton fans can finally breathe a sigh of relief — the Blues are on the board in 2025, and they did it in emphatic style. It was a commanding 71-point win over a struggling West Coast Eagles outfit at Adelaide Oval, as Michael Voss's men finally put their second-half woes behind them and turned a promising lead into a statement victory.
From the outset, Carlton looked up for the fight. After a turbulent 0-4 start to the season, there was a sense of urgency. And while the opening quarter had its share of missed chances and defensive breakdowns, the Blues settled quickly, finding momentum through small forward Corey Durdin, who ended the night with a career-best four goals in his home state.
But the win wasn’t without heartache. Just one quarter into his emotional return, Harry McKay’s comeback was cut brutally short. The 2021 Coleman Medallist clashed heads with Tom Gross in a heavy collision, suffering a concussion that saw him subbed out early. It was a cruel blow, especially after McKay had recently opened up about taking time off to focus on his mental health.
Brodie Kemp also joined the injury list with a potentially serious lower leg issue late in the game, adding further concern for the Blues.
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Still, the positives far outweighed the negatives on the night. Sam Walsh was simply everywhere. In a brilliant performance, he racked up 37 disposals, 13 score involvements, and kicked three goals — matching his career-best. George Hewett was just as dominant in the middle, gathering a game-high 39 touches, while captain Patrick Cripps added three goals of his own, showing versatility by spending more time forward.
The Blues flexed their muscle where it mattered most, dominating contested possessions 136 to 77, and controlling the inside 50 count 73 to 35. It was a clear sign that when Carlton are switched on, they’re more than capable of imposing themselves.
West Coast, meanwhile, are reeling. They now sit 0-5 — the worst start in the club’s history — and it’s clear coach Andrew McQualter has a mountain to climb. A young and inexperienced midfield was exposed again, especially with key players like Tim Kelly dropped, Harley Reid playing behind the ball, and Elliot Yeo still sidelined with injury.
There were fleeting moments for the Eagles. Liam Ryan brought his usual spark, while Liam Baker and Jack Graham toiled hard in the middle. But across four quarters, they were simply outclassed.
Jesse Motlop gave Carlton fans something to cheer about too, enjoying a run in the midfield and adding some zip around the contest. His second-half presence helped the Blues pull away, with a six-goal burst in the final term sealing the deal.
Despite the injuries, this was a much-needed circuit-breaker for the Blues — a performance full of intent, leadership, and glimpses of their true potential. For West Coast, though, the road ahead looks long, and the questions are mounting.
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