Patrick Cripps took a towering contested mark inside 50 in the dying stages and slotted the match-winning goal as Carlton beat Geelong 12.16 (88) to 12.12 (84) at the MCG on Friday night. The Blues have now won three in a row under interim coach Josh Fraser and the Carlton revival from a 1-6 start is on. Geelong's six-week winning run is over. Wil Hayward kicked three goals for Carlton, Jeremy Cameron four for the Cats. Crowd was 61,081 on Carlton Respects night, the 10th edition of the Club's Indigenous round dedication. Carlton are now 4-7 and back in the conversation. Geelong stay at 8-3 but drop a percentage spot.
Cripps Wins It Late
Carlton trailed by four points with under two minutes to play when the ball was launched long inside 50. Cripps leapt over a Geelong pack, marked overhead, and went back to slot the goal that put the Blues in front. The Cats had a chance to respond in the next clearance but Carlton won the contest and held firm for the final 70 seconds, with Jack Henry adding a steadying second-half goal and Cripps' mark earlier in the term keeping the Blues in touch. The match-winning goal capped a 30-disposal, one-goal night from the Carlton captain. Sam Walsh racked up 30 disposals and laid seven tackles. Jacob Weitering, back from a hamstring, was a wall down back. Jagga Smith (27 disposals, six inside 50s) and Harry Dean were the standout younger Blues. For the Cats, Bailey Smith was best on ground with 35 disposals, 18 contested possessions and 13 score involvements. Jeremy Cameron booted four goals and is now the runaway Coleman Medal leader. Max Holmes added 25 disposals. The Cats led at every change until the last 30 seconds.
Fraser's Blues Find a Spine
Carlton's revival under Josh Fraser since the Michael Voss dismissal now reads three wins from three. The Blues sit 4-7 with the back half of the draw to come. The flag conversation is not yet open, but the eight is no longer beyond reach if the form holds across the bye. Friday's win came with Tom De Koning quiet (12 disposals) and Charlie Curnow held to a single goal by Mark Blicavs and Tom Stewart. The list is finding contributors in the smaller forwards. The Cats' loss is the kind that does not change a premiership ranking but does open up the top-four picture. Brisbane and Hawthorn are level on wins, and Collingwood face the Dogs at Marvel on Saturday night with the chance to climb. Chris Scott will rue a missed shot from Cameron in the third quarter that would have stretched the margin to four goals.
Where the Markets Land
Carlton firmed from $2.25 to $1.80 for the head-to-head as Cripps lined up the kick, and the four-point margin had margin backers home on the 12.5 line. The over 165.5 total just got there, the wet ball dropping the scoring rate after a fast first quarter. Premiership markets shift on the Cats across our reviewed bookmakers dabble, Ladbrokes and bet365, with Geelong drifting from $4.50 to $5.50 as flag favourite. Brisbane have come in to $5 with Hawthorn at $7 after their Thursday belting of the Saints. Coleman Medal odds tighten on Cameron, now $1.65 from $2 with Curnow drifting to $5. Brownlow markets see Sam Walsh come in from $19 to $13 on his Friday-night performance, with Bailey Smith holding firm at $9 favourite. Carlton's finals odds tighten from $11 to $7.50, the most movement of any side in Round 12. Full Round 12 fixture and weekend match centre via AFL.com.au.