.jpg?trim=0,0,0,0&width=1200&height=800&crop=1200:800 "Grammy-winner Billy Strings announces during show that his ‘beautiful’ mother died just hours earlier – UK Times")
Carlton’s finals hopes have taken a massive hit after being booed from the field in a dismal 11-point loss to North Melbourne at the MCG, a result that has left their season teetering on the brink of collapse.
Supporters turned on the team in extraordinary fashion, with jeers echoing around the stadium at halftime, three-quarter time, and again as players slowly trudged from the field at the final siren.
The boos were a reaction to a second-quarter onslaught from the Kangaroos, who kicked six goals to just one behind to seize control of a game few had given them a chance of winning.
Despite a spirited late comeback that saw Carlton boot five unanswered goals in the final term, the damage was already done, and the Roos held on for a stunning 13.6 (84) to 10.13 (73) victory.
North led by as much as 46 points midway through the third quarter and, while they faded late, the lead proved too big for the wasteful Blues to claw back.
Carlton’s inefficiency in the forward half was glaring once again, with the team kicking 5.5 from 18 inside-50 entries in the last term alone, despite North barely venturing forward themselves.
Carlton supporters let their feelings be known as the players leave the MCG after the loss to North Melbourne
It was just the Kangaroos second win of the season and came off a second quarter where they blew Carlton off the MCG turf
The final siren was met with frustration, as thousands of Carlton fans had already left early, some walking to Jolimont Station while others joined a steady stream of vehicles exiting the MCG carpark well before the game ended.
One supporter wrote: ‘Don’t worry Carlton. I give up too,’ while another posted: ‘We are one of the most boring rubbish teams going around. It is getting worse week by week.’
The moment that seemed to sum up Carlton’s afternoon came early in the third term, when after Cam Zurhaar kicked truly for North, Adam Cerra lashed out with a gut punch to ruckman Tristan Xerri.
Although the contact was minor, the umpire awarded Xerri a free kick 45 metres out, and the resulting goal gave North a rare ‘double goal’ that extended their lead to 40 points.
From there, the Blues completely lost composure, with Corey Durdin, Jaxon Binns and skipper Patrick Cripps all missing gettable chances and sending three consecutive shots out on the full.
Carlton’s win last week had given fans a flicker of hope, but this defeat has cast serious doubt over their ability to make the finals, particularly with a difficult run home that includes games against Collingwood, Brisbane, Fremantle (away), and Gold Coast.
With only nine matches remaining, the Blues will likely need to win seven to qualify – a task that looks increasingly unlikely given their recent form. Coach Michael Voss now faces fresh scrutiny as new CEO Graham Wright prepares to take the reins, with the club’s direction under question and supporter patience clearly running thin.
Earlier in the match, Carlton suffered another scare when star defender and vice-captain Jacob Weitering was helped from the ground with a left ankle injury just minutes into the game.
The shock loss has the Blues’ premiership hopes on life support, with finals not even guaranteed
He had leapt over Cam Zurhaar in a marking contest, landed awkwardly, and signalled to the bench in clear distress before being taken from the field by medical staff.
While Weitering’s injury took the sting out of the Blues’ early momentum, North also lost Jack Darling briefly after he sustained a nasty gash to the leg in a separate first-quarter incident.
Darling returned in the second quarter after treatment, while Weitering’s condition remains unclear ahead of next week.
Carlton fans had hoped for a lift after star forward Charlie Curnow was named to return following calf concerns, and he made a stylish entrance by riding his bike to the ground wearing sunglasses and a club jacket.
But despite his cool arrival, Curnow and his teammates were overwhelmed for three quarters by a North Melbourne side that simply wanted the ball more and executed their plans better.
North Melbourne entered the game with just one win for the season, but their effort, composure and efficiency stunned everyone, especially against a Carlton outfit desperate to stay in finals contention.
Despite only managing five inside-50s in the final quarter, the Roos had done enough in the first three to bank the points and notch their second win of the year.
