Blues stun Swans with upset AFL win
Apr 29, 2017 - 9:44 AM Having confirmed Sydney's stunning fall from AFL power, Carlton would love to spoil the party for Collingwood.The Blues will go into the marquee game against their fiercest rivals next week brimming with confidence after pulling off a stunning 19-point upset win on Saturday at the MCG.
Carlton overcame the loss of Jack Silvagni with a shoulder injury and Jacob Weitering's corked thigh to beat the Swans 15.7 (97) to 11.12. (78).
It left the Swans, last year's losing grand finalists, cemented at the bottom of the ladder without a win from six matches.
Next Saturday the rebuilding Blues will play Collingwood, who will use the MCG match to mark their 125th birthday.
And it could be pivotal for the Magpies, given their poor start to the season and the growing pressure on coach Nathan Buckley.
"Next week will be a great opportunity - I know there's a big rivalry and they'll be pretty determined, I have no doubt about that," coach Brendon Bolton said of his players.
Everything turned on the start of the second half against Sydney.
The Blues kicked two goals in the opening two minutes after half time against Sydney.
They kicked five for the quarter - three of them to Matthew Wright - and the Swans never recovered.
Silvagni will have scans on his right shoulder after a heavy collision with Zak Jones, while Bolton is hopeful Weitering will be fit for the Magpies clash.
Former Fremantle backman Alex Silvagni was best afield in his Carlton debut, restricting Swans star Lance Franklin to just one goal.
Silvagni, who has a strong record against Franklin, won some massive one-on-one duels when the game was in the balance.
Bolton said the win showed great character.
"We have guys with strong character, good resolve and resilience," he said.
"We're human, we'll enjoy the win - we need to."
Swans forward Gary Rohan was hospitalised for tests after a heavy fall in the third term, while ruck-forward Kurt Tippett was a late withdrawal with a hip injury.
Sydney coach John Longmire was fuming post-match, saying his team is playing an unacceptable brand of football.
"It takes a long time to develop a brand and a reputation as a team and it doesn't take long to lose that," Longmire said.
"At the moment, we're not playing anywhere near the football that we can and should play."
Source: AAP
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