Blues fans turn on ‘bullied' Carlton after heavy loss to North Melbourne
Carlton fans and an AFL great were all sticking the boot into the Blues after their dreadful display against North Melbourne on Saturday afternoon.
Entering the match as firm favourites and aiming for a third straight win, the Blues were 'bullied' by the baby Kangaroos in an 11-point final margin that flattered them.
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North Melbourne led by 46 points at the last break and while Carlton kicked five unanswered goal in the final term, they were comfortably beaten 13.6 (84) to 10.13 (73) at the MCG.
Leading by nine points at the first change, Carlton gave up 12 goals to three over the next two quarters as fans turned on Michael Voss' side and boos rained down.
Late in the third quarter, North captain Jy Simpkin laid a heavy tackle on George Hewett that summed up the day for a Roos side that has shown improvement over the past six weeks.
Brisbane Lions great Jonathan Brown labelled North the 'unsociable Shinboners', a reference to a great Hawthorn team of the past under Alastair Clarkson.
Voss was seen on the phone desperately trying to get his side back in the game, but it was to no avail as the Roos built a match-winning lead.
Gerard Healy commented on Fox Footy: 'Vossy needs a miracle right now.'
That's when Brown gave the ultimate insult towards an established team facing one of the most inexperienced lists in the AFL.
'They're getting bullied,' he said of the Blues. 'They're getting beaten up, they're getting beaten up by a younger midfield for North Melbourne. The whole team for that matter.
'Michael Voss would be extremely disappointed. When a team physically confronts you, you either stand up or you roll over.
'Carlton have rolled over against a younger team.'
When the Blues kicked the ball from side to side in their back half nearing three-quarter time, the boos continued and Brown said: 'This isn't going to get you back in the game.
'That's why the crowd's booing, the Carlton supporters. Just getting through to three quarter-time.'
Mark Howard added: 'Radio talkback could get quite feisty on the way home I would've thought from the Blues fans if they can't lift in this final term.
'Tough day for Carlton fans.'
Voss was seen berating his troops to 'play their role', the most simple of instructions, but it was all too little too late.
The dismal day for Carlton was summarised when a young kid in a Blues jumper was seen bawling after a goal review was called a point for his side.
'That is a summation of what's happened to the Blues for that poor young fella,' Howard said.
'Mum and dad have brought im to the footy today full of hope.'
Brown quipped: 'It's bad parenting.'
Those watching on were shocked by the lack of effort from Voss' side.
Sports reporter Oliver Caffrey wrote on X: 'Ugly day for Carlton. Booed by the sections of their own fans at HT and now 3QT.'
Mark Goldberg tweeted: 'The Carlton supporters booing the umpires have showed more than the players all day.'
The Prendercast podcast said: 'Every week Voss and his coaches find new and extraordinary ways to surprise me. They've genuinely got us playing the worst brand of footy in the league.'
Blues fan Justin Cooper added: 'Where's the spirit? Any intensity at the contest? Where's the full buy in to compete? You don't need talent to compete. What a train wreck.'
The Blues face the Power in Adelaide next week, while the Roos take on Hawthorn in Launceston.
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