Cats, Blues through to NAB semis
Posted by Football NationMar 2. 2009 11:00 am
Carlton will take on Geelong next weekend after both teams recorded comfortable victories against their NAB Cup quarterfinal opponents.
In the other semifinal Collingwood will face Essendon after the Magpies outgunned Richmond and the Bombers held off Brisbane in a two-point nailbiter.
The Cats held off Port Adelaide on the back of a four-goal game from small forward Matthew Stokes, who kicked three majors in the final term to secure the win.
A typically strong midfield display underwrote the Geelong performance, with Jimmy Bartel (28 possessions, five tackles) playing back-to-back stellar games and James Kelly (26 possessions, one goal) and Paul Chapman (25 possessions, one goal) getting amongst the action.
The Power were in the contest until the final stages after a long bomb from Daniel Motlop brought the home team to within one point.
But Stokes converted a soccer-style goal and followed up with a set shot to pull the Cats out of danger.
Kane Cornes and Josh Carr were amongst the Power’s best and lightning quick rookie Wade Thompson impressed with two goals.
A real downside for Port Adelaide was an injury sustained by highly regarded draftee Hamish Hartlett, who suffered AC joint damage in a tackle from Ryan Gamble.
In Sunday’s match at the Telstra Dome, Carlton overcame a five goal first term deficit to beat Hawthorn by 24 points.
The Blues were ably served by spearhead Brendan Fevola (4 goals), midfielder Nick Stevens (26 possessions) and Bryce Gibbs (28 possessions).
Hawthorn’s game was marred by three injuries, but a standout performance from Jarryd Roughead (6 goals) and midfield support from Travis Tuck (29 possessions), Sam Mitchell (24 possessions) and Chance Bateman (17 possessions) kept them in the game.
The first half was all Hawthorn, with the reigning premiers racing to a four-goal lead at the first break.
It wasn’t until the third term that the Blues really hit their straps, Fevola sending through three majors and Kade Simpson and Eddie Betts chipping in with goals.
Final-quarter goals to Mitch Robinson, Cameron Cloke and Shaun Hampson secured Carlton’s place in the next round of the NAB Cup.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=milbIp1O5WU
Tags: Carlton, Collingwood, football, Geelong, NAB Cup, season 2009
