Sydney has gone down by five points against Carlton in a nail-biter at Metricon Stadium on Tuesday night.
The Blues conceded the first seven goals of the game to trail by as many as 39 points before finally notching their first major midway through the second term.
Form that point on it was all Carlton as it clawed its way back to level the scores in the last quarter.
After a lengthy stalemate, Matt Cottrell was the hero with a big pack mark before kicking truly to give the Blues the lead.
Lewis Taylor had a late chance to level the scores but his miss handed Carlton a 8.9 (57) to 8.5 (52) victory.
Cottrell steps up for Nick Duigan day
It's seven years to the day since Nick Duigan became a Carlton cult hero after kicking four goals against Richmond in the 2013 elimination final victory. Ironically, that win sent the Blues through to the semi-finals to face the Swans, where Luke Parker jagged three goals to end the Duigan-inspired festivities. Matt Cottrell only registered nine disposals for the game, but the man who got his chance as a pre-season supplemental selection stepped up as the new cult hero for the Blues. His celebration was memorable and he told Fox Footy post-game that he was channeling the "Greek Freak" (basketball superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo).
Cripps gets the points in battle of the bulls
When the chips were down it was Carlton superstar Patrick Cripps who led the fightback. The co-captain racked up seven disposals, two clearances and a goal in the second quarter alone to keep the Blues in touch. Sydney put its fellow midfield bull Josh Kennedy on Cripps around the centre square, but he couldn't contain the gun Blue.
From guarding NBA superstars to a dream baggers debut
Six years ago Carlton debutant Matthew Owies was lining up alongside Collingwood Category B rookie Tom Wilson for Australia in the 2014 FIBA Under 17's World Cup Final. The two former basketballers faced off against the likes of Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum, Denver Nuggets scoring machine Jamal Murray and Washington Wizards rookie Rui Hachimura across the tournament. Fast-forward to round 16, 2020 and Owies found the going tough in his first AFL appearance. The former point guard finished the evening with five disposals but it will be a game he won't forget
CARLTON 0.4 4.4 6.9 8.9 (57)
SYDNEY 3.0 7.2 8.3 8.4 (52)
GOALS
Carlton: McKay 2, Fisher, Walsh, Cripps, Casboult, Newnes, Cottrell
Sydney: Florent 2, McLean, Reid, McInerney, Hayward, Taylor, Dawson
BEST
Carlton: Walsh, Cripps, Petrevski-Seton, Weitering, Setterfield, De Koning
Sydney: Lloyd, Florent, Dawson, Kennedy, McCartin, Cunningham
INJURIES
Carlton: Martin (calf)
Sydney: Blakey (shoulder)
