Footy fans who do not get the chance to get a DVD of this match out of the library will assume the scoreboard tells the tale. And so it does.
Seven goals from 30 scoring shots would indicate that West Coast had wasted opportunities. And that’s a fact.
Some were virtual ‘gimmes’ from close range, others one would expect, would have been converted by players at the elite level.
Sadly, for Eagles fans, they were not and the result was a loss which left the club at one win and three losses after four rounds.
Just like those misses in front of the big sticks, that was hardly ideal.
And while it is easy to focus on the missed conversions, the problems were not limited to the forward half. Backward of centre, the issues were compounded with poor skill execution and Carlton ensured a high price was paid for those mistakes.
It should be said, however, that the intent and aggression at the contest were outstanding and resulted in the Eagles holding a 51-43 advantage on inside 50 entries.
The only issue was that quality of the entries was not as the likes of Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling might desire.
The ball rarely entered the attacking range to the advantage of the forwards, another significant factor in the result.
The midfield worked tirelessly, particularly reigning Club Champion Scott Selwood, the ever-improving Chris Masten, veterans Daniel Kerr and Matt Priddis, Luke Shuey and Mark LeCras, who split his time between midfield and forward roles.
Defensively, skipper Darren Glass hurt his shoulder in the first quarter and while in obvious discomfort, he continued throughout and battled hard along with Eric Mackenzie and Sam Butler.
The problems in front of goals began early for the Eagles, starting with 0.6 in the first term before posting their opening goal.
While skill errors were an issue, the other factor was the ability of Carlton to capitalise on midfield turnovers which too often resulted in Chris Yarran and Jeff Garlett slipping behind the defence and using their blistering pace to devastating effect.
Last three clashes
Round 4, 2013
Saturday, April 20 – Patersons Stadium
Carlton 2.5 7.10 10.15 12.17 (89)
West Coast Eagles 2.8 3.14 7.18 7.23 (65)
Goals: Carlton – Yarran 4; Walker, McLean, Armfield, Garlett, Lucas, Simpson, Robinson, Rowe. West Coast Eagles – LeCras 2; Hams, Kerr, Darling, Shuey, Gaff.
Attendance: 38,674
Round 12, 2012
Thursday, June 14 – Patersons Stadium
West Coast Eagles 3.3 5.12 6.17 10.19 (79)
Carlton 2.3 4.4 8.8 10.9 (69)
Goals: West Coast Eagles – Darling 3; Cox 2; Hams, Kerr, Brennan, Lynch, Schofield. Carlton – Henderson, Kreuzer 2; Collins, Walker, Armfield, Garlett, Simpson, Tuohy.
Attendance: 34,222
First semi-final, 2011
Saturday, September 17, Patersons Stadium
West Coast Eagles 1.3 9.3 11.8 15.11 101
Carlton 4.1 7.4 10.5 15.8 98
Goals – West Coast Eagles: Darling, Kennedy, Nicoski 3; Cox, LeCras, Priddis, McGinnity, Lynch, Hurn. Carlton: Walker 3; Ellard, Garlett, Murphy 2; Joseph, Thornton, Betts, Scotland, Simpson, Tuohy.
Best – West Coast Eagles: Cox, Kerr, Glass, Nicoski, S Selwood, Embley, Priddis. Carlton: Murphy, Robinson, Joseph, Warnock, Scotland, Walker.
Attendance: 42,803
West Coast Eagles record against Carlton (1987 to 2013)
Played: 39 (10 night, 0 twilight) - 24 (home) - 15 (away) including 3 finals - (2 home, 1 away) - 61.5% at home, 38.5% away - finals 66.7% at home, 33.3% away.
Won: 19 (5 night) - 15 (home) - 4 (away) including 2 finals - (2 home, 0 away) - 48.7% games won (of the 19 games won - 78.9% at home, 21.1 % away) - finals - 66.7% won (100% home finals won, 0% of away finals won).
Lost: 20 (5 night) - 9 (home) - 11 (away) including 1 final - (0 at home, 1 away) - 51.3% of games lost (of the 20 games lost - 45.0% at home, 55.0% away) - finals - 33.3% lost (0% home finals lost, 100% of away finals lost).
Drawn: 0
Home games: 24 - (15 won, 9 lost) including 2 finals (2 won, 0 lost) - 62.5% won at home, 37.5% lost at home - finals - 100% won at home.
Away games: 15 - (4 won, 11 lost) including 1 final (0 won, 1 lost) - 26.7% won away, 73.3% lost away. Finals - 100% lost away.
Former West Coast-listed players to be listed by Carlton
Matt Clape (29 games for WCE from 1992-1994, 58 games for Carlton from 1995-1998); Premiership player for Carlton in 1995.
Callum Chambers (54 games for WCE from 2000-2004, 12 games for Carlton 2005-2006).
Chris Judd (134 games for WCE from 2002-2007, 125 games for Carlton from 2008-2013); Premiership player for WCE 2006.
Former Carlton-listed players to be listed by West Coast
Peter Higgins (0 games for Carlton from 1984-1986, 4 games for WCE in 1989).
Damien Hampson (0 games for Carlton in 1991, 6 games for WCE in 1993-1994).
Josh Kennedy (22 games for Carlton 2006-2007, 103 games for WCE from 2008-current).
