AFL round 15 LIVE updates: Blues prove premiership credentials with emphatic win over Cats

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AFL round 15 LIVE updates: Blues prove premiership credentials with emphatic win over Cats

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Key points: Blue heaven, Cats’ season slipping

By Marc McGowan

How the Cats’ season has changed

Geelong’s 13-point victory over Carlton in late April left them unbeaten through seven rounds and with lots of ammunition for the critics who wrote them off on season eve.

Two months later, they are clinging to a top-eight berth after losing six of their past seven matches, including the Blues delivering a cold dose of revenge in a 63-point hiding at the MCG on Friday night. There are problems and questions everywhere for a side that is finally showing its age.

The biggest centres on champion key forward Tom Hawkins, who was having another underwhelming night before hobbling off in the third term with a foot injury.

Tom and Sam De Koning.

Tom and Sam De Koning.Credit: AFL Photos

Hawkins finished with three scoreless touches - his fifth goalless match this season and second against Carlton star Jacob Weitering - and his career is suddenly winding down quickly.

He is stuck on 796 goals, and there will be a nervous wait ahead to discover the severity of his foot setback.

Double dose of De Konings

After the football world fawned over the McKay twins finally facing off, there was a worthy sequel in the De Konings on Friday night.

Rhys Stanley’s knee injury cost him playing against Carlton, with coach Chris Scott instead sending Sam De Koning to take on his in-form brother Tom in an engrossing ruck battle.

Tom took the honours, particularly in the first half, but of most interest was how hard they went at each other.

Tom bullied his younger sibling at a forward-50 stoppage barely a minute into the match - drawing a big reaction from their mum in the stands - and blasted through a goal.

He was similarly aggressive against his brother at a ruck contest on the tick of quarter-time, which Sam took exception to.

Those two clashes set the tone for a fascinating clash, with both having their moments, including Sam kicking a goal from a free kick against Tom at the other end.

Blues’ one-two punch

There are lots of reasons Carlton have stormed into premiership contention, but a major one is the form of midfielders Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh.

They are the Blues’ main men in the middle, and they made a mess of their Geelong counterparts in a dominant showing.

Blues v Cats.

Blues v Cats.Credit: Getty Images

Cripps finished with 41 disposals and 13 clearances, while Walsh proved the ultimate sidekick with 33 touches of his own and nine clearances.

The star duo were the chief destroyers in Carlton’s 50-39 clearance triumph, which played a key role in their 63-point win.

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‘What the boys are doing’: Blues skipper on enjoyment in wins

While Blues skipper Patrick Cripps was all smiles in the rooms after the demolition job on the Cats, he was measured in saying the enjoyment that comes from wins like that take time.

“It’s been a work in progress and as you know, culture sort of takes time and we feel like when you value the right staff and you work hard, first and foremost, you feel good energy at the club,” said Cripps.

“And that translates out on the field and one thing we really want to do is really enjoy it.

“We enjoy the hard stuff. We also enjoy the little things as well. Like you said a lot of smiling but you’re only smiling when you value the right stuff first and that’s what the boys are doing.”

Patrick Cripps of the Blues.

Patrick Cripps of the Blues.Credit: Getty Images

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Key points: Blue heaven, Cats’ season slipping

By Marc McGowan

How the Cats’ season has changed

Geelong’s 13-point victory over Carlton in late April left them unbeaten through seven rounds and with lots of ammunition for the critics who wrote them off on season eve.

Two months later, they are clinging to a top-eight berth after losing six of their past seven matches, including the Blues delivering a cold dose of revenge in a 63-point hiding at the MCG on Friday night. There are problems and questions everywhere for a side that is finally showing its age.

The biggest centres on champion key forward Tom Hawkins, who was having another underwhelming night before hobbling off in the third term with a foot injury.

Tom and Sam De Koning.

Tom and Sam De Koning.Credit: AFL Photos

Hawkins finished with three scoreless touches - his fifth goalless match this season and second against Carlton star Jacob Weitering - and his career is suddenly winding down quickly.

He is stuck on 796 goals, and there will be a nervous wait ahead to discover the severity of his foot setback.

Double dose of De Konings

After the football world fawned over the McKay twins finally facing off, there was a worthy sequel in the De Konings on Friday night.

Rhys Stanley’s knee injury cost him playing against Carlton, with coach Chris Scott instead sending Sam De Koning to take on his in-form brother Tom in an engrossing ruck battle.

Tom took the honours, particularly in the first half, but of most interest was how hard they went at each other.

Tom bullied his younger sibling at a forward-50 stoppage barely a minute into the match - drawing a big reaction from their mum in the stands - and blasted through a goal.

He was similarly aggressive against his brother at a ruck contest on the tick of quarter-time, which Sam took exception to.

Those two clashes set the tone for a fascinating clash, with both having their moments, including Sam kicking a goal from a free kick against Tom at the other end.

Blues’ one-two punch

There are lots of reasons Carlton have stormed into premiership contention, but a major one is the form of midfielders Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh.

They are the Blues’ main men in the middle, and they made a mess of their Geelong counterparts in a dominant showing.

Blues v Cats.

Blues v Cats.Credit: Getty Images

Cripps finished with 41 disposals and 13 clearances, while Walsh proved the ultimate sidekick with 33 touches of his own and nine clearances.

The star duo were the chief destroyers in Carlton’s 50-39 clearance triumph, which played a key role in their 63-point win.

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Blues get it done in style

Carlton have proved they’re a premiership contender with an emphatic 63-point win over Geelong at the MCG.

It’s Carlton’s highest score v Geelong since the 1995 grand final. And with it, they have consolidated their spot at second on the ladder.

And what a way to cap off the night for Blues fans than with Charlie Curnow kicking his fifth goal of the night as he eyes his third straight Coleman medal (or is that getting ahead of things?).

All in front of 75,218 fans.

Carlton defeat Geelong 21.12 (138) to 11.9 (75).

Tom De Koning.

Tom De Koning.Credit: Getty Images

Walsh adds name to goalscoring sheet

I take back that previous comment. Sam Walsh is now on the board.

And it all started with him at the centre bounce. Gosh, he’s a classy player.

He’s also Carlton’s 12th individual goalscorer of the night. Not too shabby, Blues.

Blues by 57

Lachlan Cowan of the Blues celebrates his first goal in the AFL.

Lachlan Cowan of the Blues celebrates his first goal in the AFL.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

Blues just having a bit of fun now

Every Blue gets a goal! Well, not Sam Walsh, who registered a behind, but Nic Newman and Charlie Curnow with his fourth!

They are just having a blast out there now, running an absolute muck as they enjoy the final five minutes, being up by 50+ points.

That second place on the ladder looks very secure for them at this stage of the season.

Blues by 51

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Cats get two back but Hollands responds

Geelong may have just kicked two goals, but they look defeated.

Both Jeremy Cameron and Gryan Miers barely cracked a smile upon seeing their kicks go through for major scores. It was Cameron’s third of the night, Miers’ first.

Not making things any easier for them, Blue Oliver Hollands answered with his first major of the evening just a minute later.

Blues by 44

Blues are looking good now

Do I dare say it? The Blues are almost looking home.

The Carlton players came from everywhere to get around Lachlan Cowan, who kicked his first goal in AFL footy. It also gave his side a game-high lead of 50-points.

It followed Elijah Hollands first major of the evening. The Blues have kicked four goals in quick succession this final quarter.

They have also activated their sub, with Corey Durdin on and Orazio Fantasia off.

Blues by 50

Carlton forward Harry McKay.

Carlton forward Harry McKay.Credit: AFL Photos

McKay gets his third

That makes things really hard for the Cats now as Harry McKay has kicked his third goal of the night.

He’s playing with a lot of confidence in front of goals now, that tall timber.

Blues by 38

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Kennedy strikes for the Blues

That’s got to suck some of the life out of the Cats’ comeback hopes.

Matthew Kennedy has kicked off the final quarter with his first goal of the night. It came from a set shot after being marched up the ground with a 50m penalty after a Geelong player arrived late to the contest after the mark was taken.

Gryan Miers had a chance to answer, but his kick went through for a minor. It’s his second behind of the night and each time he’s looked incredibly frustrated with himself.

Blues by 32

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