Summary
What a thrilling night that was at the MCG with Carlton through to their first preliminary final since 2000 with a nail-biting two point win over Melbourne.
Blake Acres was the last minute hero when marking and then playing on to kick the match-winning goal. But the action was thick and furious throughout.
Thanks again for being with us for the live blog of a game that attracted 96,412 fans, which is the largest crowd for a semi-final since 1971 and a record for matches between Carlton and Melbourne. Here is the match report:
Updated
The Demons are despairing.
But they have only themselves to blame, having kicked away another opportunity in September through inaccuracy in front of goal.
Having kicked themselves out of the qualifying final against Collingwood last week, Melbourne squandered opportunities in front of goal once again against Carlton.
In the final moments, both Max Gawn and Kysaiah Pickett hit the post with shots, one from a tight angle, the other a snap from a pack, that would have secured victory.
They are not to blame, for both battled valiantly throughout the match, with Pickett in particular lively with his attack on the ball and also the body.
Their lament is shared by the entire side, with the Demons having 26 scoring shots to 17, yet falling on the wrong end of the scoreboard.
Melbourne won a historic grand final in Perth in devastating fashion in 2021.
In the two seasons since, they have appealed as the team to beat at different stages, only to claim an unwanted slice of history in losing four straight finals.
With their loss to Carlton, Melbourne is the first team to exit the finals series in straight sets in consecutive years under the current finals system.
It is a bitter pill to swallow.
