AFL 2024 round 11 LIVE updates: Cripps, umpire collide as Blues attempt to hold lead in last term

The lead is almost at five goals after Charlie Curnow booted another goal and it came after a great rebound from defence by the Blues.

He kicked the ball and immediately put his arms in the air.

Curnow and King are tied on 32 goals now as well.

Blues 83, GC 54 with 15 mins to go.

Cripps has taken his bumps from everyone today and he’s still fighting away for his club.

The Blues skipper just worked his way to the front of a marking contest, roved the ball and kicked the first goal of the last term.

Blues 77, GC 54 with 18 mins left.

An umpire, Daniel Johanson, has knocked over Patrick Cripps.

The whistleblower collected the Blues skipper with a forearm during a centre bounce and sent him to the turf, a minute before three-quarter time.

Cripps was able to see the funny side with the ump as he moved to the three-quarter time huddle.

Earlier, Carlton fans almost lifted the roof off the stadium in disgust after a 50m penalty was paid against Harry McKay for knocking over Jarrod Witts at half-forward in a marking contest.

Witts was taken to the front of goal and the Suns ruckman converted. It brought the Suns back to within 13 points.

At that stage the free-kick count was 13-2 in the Gold Coast’s favour. The Blues’ fans felt like their team couldn’t buy an umpire’s call.

Soon after Ben King marked 20m out and missed a sitter, closing the gap to 12 points.

Sam Walsh and Patrick Cripps are going possession for possession at Marvel Stadium – 26 apiece.

They have dominated the centre clearances and stoppages.

King was able to break free of Jacob Weitering at stages, booting two goals for the quarter and three so far for the match.

Curnow kicked his first goal at the 15-minute mark, meaning he has now booted a major in 58 consecutive games. His second came at the 24-minute mark.

McKay has started moving up around half-forward to become a link man and in doing so he has occasionally dragged Mac Andrew away from Curnow.

In the last two minutes of the third term, the Blues were awarded consecutive free kicks and the crowd went ballistic.

The second of those frees resulted in a passage of play that ended in a Carlton goal – a mark and left-foot snap from Matthew Kennedy.

The Blues lead by 17 points, but if the Suns’ mids can up their tempo, this game is up for grabs.

The Suns won’t go away but the Blues fired up that term with Charlie Curnow kicking two big goals and Matthew Kennedy bobbing up late to add to the lead.

They have the lead going into the last term but watch out for the Suns, they have shown they are good enough to snatch this win.

Jarrod Witts received a 50-penalty after he pulled in a mark on the wing and was clattered into by Harry McKay.

The Suns skipper stood tall and kicked the goal.

The Suns are still in this. They won’t be going away.

Blues 65, GC 52 with four mins to go in Q3.

Curnow got out on the lead and pulled in a mark and it instantly drew a roar from the home crowd.

He leapt against two other Suns but still pulled in the ball. Unless he has Mac Andrew near him, Curnow will continue to be a huge problem.

He booted the goal. Of course he did.

Blues 65, GC 46 with five mins to go in Q3.

Ben King came up with the ball in the goal square and converted from close range.

He owes Ben Long a coffee for tipping the ball to him when he could have grabbed it and kicked the goal.

It’s teamwork like that which could help King win the Coleman Medal.

Blues 58, Suns 46 with eight mins to go in Q3.

The Blues have found another goalkicker with Blake Acres getting forward and pulling in the mark and kicking the goal.

Curnow followed it with a mark and goal to extend of streak of kicking a goal a game to 58 matches.

Jed Walter (tactical) has been subbed off for the Suns with Jake Rogers now into the game.

Blues 57, GC 40 with 11 mins to go in Q3.

Zac Williams got free and kicked three … or at least kicked his third goal of the day.

He has been feasting at the feet of Curnow and McKay. It’s about time the Blues found someone who can read the ball off those big boys.

Williams is a running defender by trade, but looks a natural goalsneak as well.

Blues 45, GC 32 with 15 mins to go in Q3.