Carlton hero Tom De Koning and former Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott have shared a beautiful moment in the Blues’ rooms after their stunning two-point win over Melbourne on Friday night.
Carlton secured their spot in next weekend’s preliminary final with Brisbane after pulling off one of the great finals wins of all time.
The Blues looked dead and buried with under a couple of minutes to go but stormed home with two late goals to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat and break Demon hearts around the country.
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The Carlton crowd were in raptures at the MCG and the Blues’ rooms were almost just as rowdy after the game.
Among the chaos inside the rooms was Carlton’s No.1 ticket holder and eight-time wheelchair tennis grand slam champion, Alcott, who bleeds Blue just as much as every Carlton supporter in the crowd.
Alcott and De Koning were captured embracing in a heartwarming hug as the pair celebrated the historic win.
“I actually feel like I want to stand up and walk I’m that excited,” Alcott said.
“I’m very proud. I thought we were done tonight.
“I’m very grateful I’m part of the club.”
De Koning, who kicked two crucial goals early in the contest and shared with Marc Pittonet the monster challenge of competing with Max Gawn in the ruck, was lost for words speaking to Taylor.
“Our ball movement was good all night,” he said.
“I was lucky enough to get on the end of a few early.
“’Pitto’ wore him (Gawn) down, I was able to come in, jump in, so good fun.”
Melbourne led by just over a goal for much of the final quarter and spurned multiple chances to get their lead beyond two majors.
With a minute on the clock and the Demons up by five points, Ollie Hollands pounced on a Melbourne turnover and burst forward. He worked the ball to Sam Docherty, who marked, took a bounce then kicked long to Blake Acres. The winger took an overhead mark, played on and kicked the winner.
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Melbourne are the first team this century to go out in straight sets two years in a row, while Carlton have reached their first preliminary final since 2000.
Carlton’s Docherty popped his left shoulder out in the second quarter and was immediately helped down to the race. But he had it taped up and was back out there in the third quarter.
“We knew they would respond from last week, Blues skipper Patrick Cripps told Channel 7’s Abbey Holmes on the field after the game.
“We fought back. Just an arm wrestle. Special game. I’ve waited 10 years for this. Two down, off to Brissie next week now.”
– With AAP
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