A disappointing Carlton side lost to a determined Hawthorn outfit today by 79 points at Optus Oval; Nathan Thompson kicked five goals and midfielder Richie Vandenberg four for the winners, while Ryan Houlihan was Carlton’s top goalscorer bagging three.

Both teams went in missing key regulars. The Blues came in without Lance Whitnall, Adrian Hickmott, the still-injured Anthony Koutoufides and new recruit Corey McKernan, while Hawthorn had Jonathon Hay, Nick Holland, Angelo Lekkas, Nathan Lonie, Glen Bowyer, and Tony Woods sitting in the stands. However, this was seen as the last chance for both teams to have a hit-out before the season proper in a fortnight, and the pace of the opening quarter was frantic and exciting.

The crowd were lively early after Hawthorn’s Kris Barlow took a screamer, before Hawthorn got the first goal two minutes in following a free kick, with Richie Vandenberg kicking truly from 40 metres out. Carlton hit back after Trent Hotton got a free kick and goaled from point plank range, and Anthony Franchina put the Blues in front by roving a pack at the top of the goal square and running into an open goal.

Matthew Allan was dominating the ruck early on and the Carlton midfield of Ratten, Camporeale, Plunkett, and Murphy were getting the majority of centre clearances.

However, Hawthorn kicked the next two goals through Vandenberg and Mark Williams. The game stepped up in physicality, with both teams throwing themselves in, but Hawthorn seemed to do it more effectively.

A series of behinds to both sides showed the pressure out there early, and it took a Mark Graham clanger where he centered the ball to the a two-on-one contest for Carlton to hit back via Scott Camporeale for the mini-drought to be broken. Fevola missed a set shot, as did Nathan Thompson for Hawthorn at the other end.

Hawthorn goaled courtesy of a running long bomb from Adrian Cox, and Hawthorn missed an opportunity to kick away early when Ben Dixon turned onto his right side (he’s left footed) when an easy left foot put away was begging. Mark Williams made up for it by showing his raw talent and snapping truly, and Brendan Fevola’s kicking woes continued in the Carlton forward line as either Mark Graham beat him or he missed badly when he got it.

Brett Ratten goaled after a relay free kick given away by Mark Graham, but Vandenberg booted his third of the first term for the Hawks, following some nifty hands by Ben Dixon.

At quarter time, Hawthorn was on top by 7 points following an exciting 11 goal stanza. Scott Camporeale was wreaking havoc by running off Daniel Harford and racking up many easy touches, while new recruit Andrew Eccles was giving Carlton good service off half back. Allan was dominating in the ruck, but Fevola was wasting opportunities. Hawthorn’s physical pressure earned them their six goals, with Vandenberg and John Barker working hard up forward.

After such a fast and furious opening term, the second started slowly with both sides deciding to try and feel each other out and Hawthorn missing a few gettable opportunities. Ryan Houlihan goaled from an angle after Fevola’s good pass, making the margin four points.

Hawthorn was working very hard off the ball to put pressure on the Blues, with Nathan Thompson and Daniel Harford providing inspirational pieces of play. This was rewarded when Crawford beat Fevola down back, Harford worked hard to get it forward, and Kris Barlow snapped truly. When Joel Smith kicked a running goal, all signs pointed towards Hawthorn running away with the game, and the alarm bells were ringing loud and clear when Fevola missed again, and John Barker dobbed a 40 metre goal on a tough angle – Hawthorn were up by 21 points and had all the run.

Nathan Thompson goaled after Daniel Chick spotted him up, and Joel Smith kicked his second to break the spirit of the Blues, who were down by 33 points at half time.

Shaun Rehn started to win the taps after Trent Hotton moved into the ruck for Carlton, and Luke McCabe’s efforts down back were cavalier. Camporeale’s first quarter form was negated in the second, and Hawthorn looked full of run.

If Carlton were to have any hope, they needed to kick the first few in the third quarter. Houlihan opened the scoring by kicking his second, but Camporeale wasted a chance by missing a set shot.

Crawford pinched a kick in from the Carlton defence, but missed, then Dixon snapped truly after crumbing the pack from 15 metres out. Lappin took a sensational mark for Carlton and converted, but once again poor kicking prevented Carlton from realistically managing a comeback – Scott Camporeale again missing a set shot.

Hawthorn made them pay with the easiest of goals when Hawthorn rebounded off the backline, and Nathan Thompson was left alone in the goal square, where he almost kicked the ball over the Robert Heatley Stand. Ryan Houlihan got an easy goal after Hawthorn’s nightmare – umpire Darren Goldspink – gave Carlton a soft relay free kick then allowed advantage in the goal square.

When Matthew Allan dropped a sitter in front of goal, and Hawthorn cleared with Vandenberg kicking his fourth, the game was all over. Hawthorn kicked the next two through Steven Greene and Daniel Harford, and come the three quarter time siren, Hawthorn were 69 points ahead.

Things went from bad to worse for Carlton, as Hawthorn had a seven goal final term, and proceeded to show their dominance of the day. With Mark Graham and John Barker taken off at half time, Hawthorn’s kids like Rick Ladson, Mark Williams, and Campbell Brown gave Hawthorn good service while Carlton seemed to give up.

Tim Clarke kicked the first goal of the final term from a set shot, with Adrian Cox goaling soon after thanks to some ferocious work by Daniel Chick to lock the ball in the forward line.

Brendan Fevola finally kicked a goal, but only after some very generous umpiring by Goldspink. When left to his own devices again, Fevola later missed an easy snap from 20 metres out, which summed up his match.

Hawthorn kicked the next three; two from the dominant Nathan Thompson, and Shane Crawford drilled a sensational running goal after some hard work by Daniel Chick and a great releasing handball by the classy Mark Williams. Lappin kicked his second after Joel Smith fumbled in the goal square, and Brendan Fevola missed yet another set shot.

The last goal of the game was Nathan Thompson’s fifth, who just out-muscled Glenn Manton and put the ball through the middle from close range.

Carlton’s day was summed up perfectly when Adam Pickering missed a set shot from 20 metres out directly in front just before the final siren blew, handing the Hawks a 79 point victory.

Before I give my honest assessment on the Carlton players I saw today, I must declare my allegiance to Hawthorn. However, none of the following is made up – they are honest observations from today’s game.

Matthew Allan had a great first quarter, but did virtually nothing after that. Was beaten by Rehn in the ruck and he was useless around the ground, dropping that easy mark in front of goal and being too slow with his disposal.

Simon Beaumont did a few good things, but with the amount of footy that was being pumped into the Hawthorn forward line, you could not blame him for Carlton’s problems. His disposal is good and he provided contests in the air.

Craig Bradley. Today I believe I saw the softest game by any player, let alone an ex-captain. When he had to go hard at the ball, he held off; when he had to tackle, he just stood there; when he had the ball under pressure, he panicked. In the last quarter he was on Campbell Brown, a Hawthorn first year player, and was beaten. He has absolutely no defensive side, and when his man went at the ball, he didn’t go with him. Harsh criticism of a champion player, but he was very poor today.

Scott Camporeale played a blinder in the first and third quarters, but his kicking for goal and manning up let him down. He is so dangerous when he has the ball and time, and Hawthorn gave him plenty of that in the first quarter – and boy did Camporeale make the Hawks pay. However, when the clamps were put on, his effectiveness was nullified greatly. Still, probably your best out there, and a class player.

Sam Cranage got a little bit of the ball, and seemed enthusiastic to get near the pill. Didn’t do much though.

Andrew Eccles was good in the first half off the back flank, but as the Hawthorn midfield dominated and got the ball forward more often, his effect died down. Still, looks like a good pick up and will probably be a senior player for Carlton in 2002.

Brendan Fevola should not do anything bar leading, marking, and kicking drills over the next fortnight – and he should especially place the emphasis on the kicking for goal. He was dreadful for the amount of opportunities he had, and was beaten well and truly. Would be a very frustrating player for Carlton fans.

Anthony Franchina kicked an early goal, but disappeared for the rest of the day.

David Gallagher started in defence. Had a shocker, and surely he can’t be in your best 22.

Trent Hotton kicked an early goal, but was beaten easily in the ruck and did nothing else around the ground. Poor effort when he needed to lift.

Ryan Houlihan was very good today, and along with Camporeale, stood out for Carlton. Kicked three, and worked very hard in the forward line. A classy player who could develop into a 50-plus goalkicker if he kept today’s form up.

Matthew Lappin bobbed up once or twice, and ran hard between attack and defence, but he didn’t add much apart from his two goals. Can’t really criticize his game though.

Glenn Manton got raped at full back. Thompson kicked five, and threw Manton around like a rag doll. Seriously, if Manton is your #1 key defender in 2002, Carlton is in big trouble.

Andrew McKay really tried today, and was again Mr. Consistent. Just another Andy McKay game, and gave valuable service off half back and through the centre.

Justin Murphy got a bit of the ball, but didn’t do anything special or to make him stand out. Didn’t go in very hard, but when released his disposal was good.

Adam Pickering came on in the last quarter, and honestly, he looks like a log. Loped around looking lost, and missed the easiest set shot of the day.

Jimmy Plunkett was good. Always tried and put his body in, and fed the ball out to the receiving midfielders many a time. Needs to work on his foot skills a bit, but he is a trier.

Ian Prendergast. See Glenn Manton but subtract the amount of goals he conceded. I know he has talent and is a potential key backman, but he didn’t show it out there today. Just a bad day, perhaps.

Brett Ratten ran his guts out for little reward. Kicked a goal and fed his fellow midfielders, but didn’t seem to dominate. Was held well, but somehow squeezes into my best.

Lindsay Smith. Why did you recruit him? Dead set hack.

Those were the players who left an impression on me. There were a few others who I didn’t take any note of, or didn’t influence me either positively or negatively.

So are Carlton top eight material? Judging from today, no. Bring back Hickmott, McKernan, Whitnall, and Koutoufides later in the year though, and Carlton will be pressing for a top eight finish. However, I don’t believe you are good enough to contend for the flag or a top four spot. Your defence isn’t good enough, your youngsters are too raw, and you will be relying too much on your top players.