Dangerfield creates history in vintage performance to knock out Blues
Carlton’s fairytale run is officially over.
The Blues were knocked out of the finals by a Patrick Dangerfield-inspired Geelong Cats side in a 14.23 (107) to 11.8 (74) scoreline at the MCG.
Patrick Dangerfield of the Cats. AFL Photos via Getty Images
While the margin was significant, the Cats didn’t have it easy with Carlton leading 4.3 (27) to 1.5 (11) after the first quarter.
Geelong managed to get back into the contest and by half-time the lead for Carlton had become only three points.
A minute into the third quarter, Geelong’s Shaun Mannagh scored to make it four goals in a row for the Cats and deliver a lead.
Dangerfield started to put his stamp on the match with his second goal as did Gryan Miers, and by the end of the third term, the lead was 10.13 (73) to 7.8 (50).
The final quarter then belonged to Dangerfield who added another three to his tally as another elimination final awaits.
Dangerfield’s fifth came halfway through the final quarter after Carlton made a switch to have star defender Jacob Weitering mark him.
The Cats veteran dropped the mark but stayed on his feet, picked up the loose ball and kicked a goal before raising his arms.
“He was pretty impressed with himself and with very good reason ... he slots his fifth and says ‘how good am I going right now?’” Garry Lyon said on Fox.
36-year-old Dangerfield is now the oldest player to kick five goals in a final.
The veteran finished with 21 disposals while Bailey Smith topped the count for Geelong on 27. Carlton’s Sam Walsh led the possession count overall with 29.
For Carlton, the loss ends an up-and-down campaign.
Former coach Michael Voss was sacked after round nine with Carlton 16th following one win.
Josh Fraser took over and led the side to a wildcard finals spot. The Blues defeated Melbourne but couldn’t keep the fairytale run going.
