Amid the excitement surrounding rising star Patrick Cripps, many have forgotten about Carlton champion Marc Murphy.
But with the Cripps sidelined by injury on Sunday, it was the former skipper that led the Blues to a memorable four-point win over Fremantle at Optus Stadium.
Match-winner: Marc Murphy's goal in the final minute capped a fighting comeback for Carlton against Fremantle at Optus Oval in Perth.Credit:AAP
Murphy had 35 touches to lead his side to a 11.13 (79) to 11.9 (75) victory, and nailed the winning goal with just 37 seconds left on the clock.
Carlton continues to excel under interim coach David Teague, coming from 30-points behind to win their second game in three weeks.
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The Dockers had a great start, kicking the first five goals of the game – and were looking at being one game and percentage safe inside the top eight with another four points.
And with Collingwood, GWS, Adelaide and Port Adelaide all failing to get the chocolates during Round 15, the Dockers could have finished it in sixth spot, just one game and percentage outside of the top four.
All smiles: Sam Petrevski-Seton celebrates slotting a major for Carlton.Credit:AAP
But Fremantle got more than they bargained for from the bottom side Blues.
When young key forward Charlie Curnow limped to the bench early in the opening term with a knee injury, the game was Fremantle's to lose.
And that's what they did.
Curnow concern
Curnow limped from the ground just 12 minutes into the first quarter. He grabbed for his right knee as soon as he went to ground after colliding with Docker Ethan Hughes.
Stricken: Charlie Curnow of the Blues reacts after being injured at Optus Stadium.Credit:AAP
The young forward went straight in to the changerooms for treatment, but didnt return to the field.
He may have escaped serious injury though, with the early diagnosis being a low-grade medial ligament injury.
Carlton failed to kick a goal in the opening term, for the fourth time this season and trailed by 29 points at the first change.
It was the seventh time the Blues didnt kick a goal in any quarter this season.
With Harry McKay missing the trip West due to groin soreness, the loss of Curnow was the last thing Carlton needed.
Things looked grim for the Blues at the first break.
The other Nat
The West was abuzz this week with the return to action of West Coast ruckman Nic Naitanui, or Nic Nat, as they call him.
But Dockers skipper Nat Fyfe reminded the Perth footy fans of his claims to being the best of the Nats.
Natty skills: Fremantle's Nat Fyfe looks to mark under pressure from Carlton's Jack Silvagni.Credit:AAP
Fyfe shrugged the tags of Ed Curnow and Jack Silvagni to finish with 29 touches, eight marks and six clearances.
His marking in slippery conditions were a highlight.
Teague has a Plan B
The Blues are clearly invigorated since Teague took the helm at the Blues.
After their slow start, Carlton turned the tables and had the first 17 inside 50 entries in the second term. They kicked three goals in that time to get the margin back to just 10 points.
Since Brendon Bolton was sacked they've shown an ability in games to recover from slow starts, having trailed by more than six goals against both Brisbane and the Western Bulldogs.
They ended up beating the Lions by 15 points and losing to the Dogs by just three.
Doing a Steven Bradbury
Cam McCarthy kicked four goals in his return for the Dockers and nearly got his side over the line.
It was almost a performance akin to that of Australian Olympic speedskater Steven Bradbury, the guy who came from behind to skate past a group of fallen opponents to claim a gold medal.
The Dockers key forward was sitting in the WAFL not long ago, well behind his teammates Jesse Hogan, Rory Lobb and Matt Taberner in the race to hold a key forward position.
He didnt score a goal in his two AFL games before he wasRead More – Source
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