WHO’S FLYING

Each week throughout the 2023 season we will present Who’s Flying, a series of stories which will encapsulate everything that is good about our great game. It could be a star player, a coach who has inspired his men or a team that is – pardon the pun – flying. BRENDAN RHODES looks at star Carlton duo Sam Docherty and Adam Cerra.

Si x losses in a row and eight in nine weeks, with the only outlier a thumping of what was basically an average WAFL team (an injury-riddled West Coast) – Carlton’s form could not have been worse.

Despite starting the season as predicted top-four contenders, the Blues kicked themselves out of several games and reached their ocean floor with a disappointing effort in a round 13 loss to Essendon.

Then they were completely outplayed in the first quarter by Gold Coast at the MCG last Sunday, with only the Suns’ profligacy keeping them closer than 10 points.

Then it happened.

Harry McKay kicked his first goal in his 100th AFL match in the opening minute of the second quarter and Carlton exploded with arguably the most devastating single quarter this year.

The Blues kicked 9.3 to 0.3 and at one stage added four goals without the visitors even touching it.

It was irresistible.

Carlton had winners everywhere – McKay kicked three goals, Tom De Koning two in his 50th game, Patrick Cripps burst his malaise with 27 touches and three goals, Sam Walsh had 29 and five clearances, Matthew Kennedy 27 and nine clearances and Jacob Weitering blanketed Ben King for three-and-a-half quarters.

But the stars of the show were Adam Cerra and Sam Docherty, who sparked the remarkable revival and dragged their teammates along for the ride.

Docherty’s rebounding work off half-back was a sight to behold as he regularly set up Carlton forward thrusts on his way to 32 disposals, nine marks, eight rebound 50s and a game-high 518 metres gained.

Cerra’s work in the middle, meanwhile, was unbridled class – most of his eight clearances were won in that second quarter onslaught, and whenever the Blues needed a hero he was there, dominating for 27 disposals and 459 metres gained while sneaking forward for two crucial goals. While it is still a long way back for the Blues to save their season, especially with a largely difficult fixture to come, if they can find more 30-minute bursts like the one last Sunday it will take a special effort from a special team to stop them.

Footy Fun Facts

A Boeing 737800 carries 174 passengers, meaning it could carry almost eight AFL teams at the same time.