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Full Noise by SN
Fallout: Swans onslaught highlights Carlton issues
Andrew Slevison • March 6th, 2026 9:08 am
It might not be good for Carlton fans, but it’s great theatre for the rest of us.
Talkback should be fairly strong today, you’d imagine.
An almighty second-half capitulation condemned the Blues to a deflating 63-point loss to the Sydney Swans in the much-anticipated season opener at the SCG.
In the fourth minute of the third term the Blues led by 22 points. Things were in decent shape.
Inexplicably they conceded 12 goals for the remainder of the quarter, including a run of six in 12 minutes, then copped another six majors either side of the final break.
The slick Swans, who were at the centre of a first-half fumbleathon, piled on 18 goals to six in the second half to make Michael Voss’ side look silly.
Dean Cox’s men exposed Carlton’s inability to cover the ground. The Blues were torn to shreds. They didn’t have the legs to go with the home team.
"No matter what we did, we couldn't stop it," said Voss.
Just 38 tackles from the Blues. Half of those came in the second half when they barely had the ball. The last time they had less tackles they smashed West Coast in Round 5 last season. When they always had the ball.
To borrow a half-time prediction from a former colleague, Nic Negrepontis - a broken Blue:
“Dominate Q1“Even Q2“Smashed Q3“Out of reach Q4“Following the script form last year so far.”
“Dominate Q1“Even Q2“Smashed Q3“Out of reach Q4“Following the script form last year so far.”
It was an all-too-familiar feeling for Blues fans even after all of that off-season change. Their fans know them all too well.
On the other hand, the Swans seemed imperious when their stars got going. Errol Gulden, Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner sizzled after half-time - particularly Errol and Isaac.
And while it took Charlie Curnow a little while to find his footing, it must have hurt the Carlton faithful when he nailed his first Swans goal during that third term onslaught.
Plenty of questions and not many answers for Carlton. Old foe Richmond at the MCG next Thursday to take out their anger as the Swans paddle on to a huge home clash with the Lions next Saturday night.
