Premiership player Kane Cornes has turned the blowtorch onto one Carlton star after he failed to fire in their finals win last week.
AFL: The AFL 360 extra panel discuss the Melbourne Demons going out in straight sets two years in a row and how it would be a ‘disaster’ if it was to occur again.
Melbourne and Carlton are set to square off with a preliminary final berth on the line on Friday night.
Watch every match of The 2023 Toyota AFL Finals Series before the Grand Final Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo Sports. Join now and start streaming instantly >
Carlton enter the contest having knocked of the Sydney Swans last weekend while being winners of 10 out of their past 11 matches.
Melbourne fell agonisingly short in their qualifying final against Collingwood and now stare down the barrel of their second consecutive straight sets finals exit if they’re to lose tonight.
These two faced off a month ago with the Blues emerging victorious in a nailbiting four point victory.
The winner will advance to a preliminary final showdown next weekend at the Gabba against the Brisbane Lions.
Don’t miss a second of the action right here.
8.10pm – Demons on fire early, punishing the Blues
The intensity of the contest is through the roof early with the Demons holding the upper hand on their opponents.
Carlton have made simple mistakes and been punished going the other way with the Demons continually driving the ball forward at speed.
In defense Melbourne’s Jake Lever is doing as he pleases with three intercepts marks already in the opening quarter.
The Blues nailed their first goal through ruckman Tom de Koning with a tick over four minutes to play.
Charlie Curnow has been curtailed early. Photo by Michael Klein.
8pm – Unforgivable error from Pickett
Melbourne had a shot for the second goal after Joel Smith took a contested mark inside 50, but before he was even able to line up the ball was given back to the Blues.
Livewire forward Kysaiah Pickett got into a tussle with Blues defender Mitch McGovern and grabbed a handful of his jersey and clipped him in the chin.
The Age’s Damien Ratcliffe wrote: “If Kozzie Pickett stopped acting for free kicks and getting involved in rubbish off the ball scuffles, reckon he’d be a decent player.”
7.50pm – We’re underway at the G
Charlie Curnow sprung over the top of Jake Lever and pulled down a big contested mark on the 50m arc before wheeling around and heading for home.
His kick was touched just on the line to register the opening score of the contest.
Melbourne went the other way and unlike last week, lowered their eyes going inside 50. On their third attempt they scored the opening goal through an opportunistic Ed Langdon.
7.10pm – Dees take chance with tactical sub
Josh Schache will take part is only his third game of the season after being named as Melbourne’s starting sub.
For the Blues they’ve stuck with Oliver Hollands as their starting sub for the match.
7pm – Cornes puts Charlie Curnow on the hot seat
Port Adelaide premiership player Kane Cornes has grilled Coleman Medal winner Charlie Curnow over his failure to deliver last week.
The Blues star forward failed to fire and now faces an even tougher defensive unit when he goes up against the Demons.
He has gone goalless in five of his past seven quarters – with only two goals outside of that.
“Charlie Curnow is in the gun for me,” Cornes said on SEN.
“He is the best player there and for them to win, he’s going to have to get a hold (of Melbourne).
It was an ugly day out for Curnow against the Swans. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
“I think he was well beaten last week. I thought Tom McCartin was outstanding.
“I just didn’t think he worked hard enough. Didn’t think he got to enough contests. I thought he was out-marked too often.
“He’s going to have to compete like he hasn’t competed before in a long time. It’s going to be against two, it’s going to be against three opponents.
“Can he get up the ground? Can he kick the ball inside forward 50?
“He’s three and one goals in his last two (games). Well beaten by (GWS’ Sam) Taylor and well beaten on the weekend by McCartin.
“He’s going to get a good player in May, but athletically he’s got May covered everywhere.
“But it’s not just going to be May, it’s going to be the other opponents.
“It’s not about winning Colemans, it’s about winning finals. When you’re the best player on the ground, you’ve got to produce a performance worthy of that.”