<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nGoodnight, footy fans!<\/h2>\n
Well, that\u2019s a wrap for the first semi-final of the weekend team. Thanks for joining us on the wild (stressful) ride.<\/p>\n
What a blockbuster we were treated to (or a sour experience if you\u2019re a Dees fan). <\/p>\n
Carlton are through to the preliminary finals in their first finals series in a decade. Incredible. <\/p>\n
Also incredible is that Melbourne, with all their golden talent, have bowed out in straight sets for the second year in a row. Yikes. <\/p>\n
Up next, Port Adelaide will host GWS in Adelaide for the second semi-final to see who will face Collingwood the following week.<\/p>\n
And for the Blues? They\u2019ll head to Brisbane to face the Lions at the Gabba. So, just a simple feat in front of them. <\/p>\n
Thank you again for joining us! Have a good sleep and we\u2019ll see you tomorrow. <\/p>\n
\u2018Build the resilience and greatness\u2019: Goodwin says adversity is necessary, confirms Gawn has broken toe<\/h2>\n
This time last year, Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin was in the exact same position he is in now. Fronting a press conference after his side bowed out in straight sets. <\/p>\n
Does he think the same issues are still there?<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we moved forward as a footy club. We transitioned a bit of our list as well throughout this period, throughout the last 12 months. We\u2019ve seen some young guys get a lot of exposure throughout our team and will continue to build. We think we\u2019re in a good shape to be able to continue to build,\u201d he told reporters.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got to sometimes go through these little challenges, this adversity to really build the resilience and greatness that\u2019s required to win big games.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe sit here, Carlton, you know, they took their opportunities. Full credit to them. They worked on that throughout this year. You can see the adversity they\u2019ve gone through to get through to the position they\u2019re in. This is just for us another step in our little work way that we want to go back to where we want to be.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another question. Critics will say that the club hasn\u2019t maximised its talent on the list since then. Will that burn over summer?<\/p>\n
\u201cLook, I think when you\u2019ve had two years where you set us up in an opportunity to perform strongly in finals and you lose, you know, twice in straight sets, there\u2019s going to be criticism out there, but as a footy club, we know we have a list that\u2019s building and still going to continue to add to that,\u201d said Goodwin.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe also know we\u2019re going to continue to put ourselves in a position where we can have success that we want to have. But that just doesn\u2019t happen. It\u2019s hard to do. A lot has to go right. So we\u2019ll keep training hard, working hard, reviewing, finding ways to get better and come out the other side.\u201d<\/p>\n
Goodwin also confirmed Max Gawn was playing with a broken big toe.<\/p>\n
Greg Baum\u2019s best<\/h2>\nThe moment the Storm skipper found out the Demons had lost<\/h2>\n
Melbourne Storm captain Christian Welch experienced two very strong emotions tonight. One was the joy of his side winning their semi-final against Sydney Roosters at AAMI Park in the dying minutes of the game, the other emotion was disappointment after finding out his beloved Demons had lost their clash with Carlton across the road at the MCG.<\/p>\n
Welch appeared to receive an off-camera tip that the Blues had won while facing the media with coach Craig Bellamy. NRL journalist Martin Garbor appears to have captured the moment Welch found out his side had lost.<\/p>\n
A season and final of moments and momentum: How the Blues won<\/h2>\n
Carlton\u2019s season has been one of the most remarkable seen in AFL history.<\/p>\n
The Blues began 2023, went into a deep recession that triggered a crisis, steadied themselves and then came roaring back with a surge that sent them from 15th to fifth by the end of the regular season.<\/p>\n
Now, they are playing Michael Voss\u2019s old team – the club he led to three flags on the trot – at the Gabba for a grand final berth, potentially against Collingwood, after a victory that was improbable throughout the final quarter, but materialised, as if the footy Gods willed it, in the final minute or so, as Blake Acres delivered the winning mark and goal.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.179%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/e42d1d2f2d5e8568211459006b905eb83aebdd17\")
<\/p>\n
Sheer joy: The Blues react after the final siren.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Eddie Jim<\/cite><\/p>\nCollingwood v Carlton on grand final day. Just think about that for a second, even if the odds are against the Blues next weekend.<\/p>\n
Read Jake Niall\u2019s full post-game analysis here.<\/p>\n
Blue heaven: Carlton snatch victory from despondent Demons<\/h2>\n
A final-minute Blake Acres goal has propelled Carlton into a preliminary final after a pulsating semi-final with a Melbourne team that has suffered consecutive straight-sets September exits.<\/p>\n
Matthew Kennedy \u2013 only playing after Harry McKay (concussion) and Jack Martin (suspension) were forced outs \u2013 dribbled through a late behind to seal a two-point victory that triggered an eruption from the Blues faithful when the siren sounded seconds later.<\/p>\n
The match-winning play unfolded when Sam Docherty marked about 75 metres out, then took off instantly as young Demon Judd McVee fell to ground, before driving a kick deep into attack for Acres to gobble up then blast through.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_1.491%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_69%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/83d65619ef88a397676c11f0f83a145728bfaa36\")
<\/p>\n
The critical moment: Blake Acres boots the winning goal.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Channel Seven<\/cite><\/p>\nMichael Voss\u2019 men, who have won 11 of their past 12 matches to climb out of the bottom four and into the final four, again had the lion\u2019s share of support from the 96,412 fans who packed into the MCG.<\/p>\n
They were last in a preliminary final in 2000, and are headed to the Gabba to take on the Brisbane Lions, the club their coach became a triple premiership captain and legend.<\/p>\n
Read full match report here.<\/p>\n
Want to relive that last minute of the game, Blues fans?<\/h2>\n
Demons fans, look away. <\/p>\n
Here\u2019s the final minute of the game, just as a little treat, thanks to AFL:<\/p>\n