Overview
- Patrick Cripps took a towering mark and kicked the match‑winning goal with about 70 seconds left on Friday night to give Carlton a four‑point upset of Geelong at the MCG.
- The victory was Carlton’s third straight under interim coach Josh Fraser, moving the club to 4–8 and back into realistic top‑10/wildcard calculations.
- Fraser has repeatedly said he sees the job as interim and does not expect to apply for the permanent post while the club’s four‑person selection panel runs its recruitment process.
- Fraser has made tactical shifts such as using Harry McKay in the ruck and giving Jagger Smith more midfield time, and the club plans to rotate players from the VFL as injuries are managed.
- Carlton’s run has immediate effects on the ladder and morale, while Geelong remain a top‑four contender despite the loss and both clubs now face selection and injury decisions in the coming weeks.