Latest news with #SamDocherty
The Advertiser
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Hawks on Blues cruise to deny Docherty fairytale finish
Hawthorn's self-proclaimed "villains" have spoiled Sam Docherty's farewell party, cruising to a 24-point win as the Carlton hero waved an emotional MCG goodbye. Docherty kicked a goal and was given a touching send-off in front of 51,271 fans on Thursday night after announcing his retirement mid-week. But there was no fairytale ending to the two-time cancer survivor's remarkable career against the businesslike Hawks, who kicked eight of the first nine goals in their 13.7 (85) to 9.7 (61) victory. A sixth win from seven outings strengthened Hawthorn's grip on a top-eight spot and kept them firmly in top-four contention with a 13-6 record. "They were playing for a bit ... so we knew there would be a little bit of extra something about it and we were pleased we were able to respond early," Hawks coach Sam Mitchell said. "They wouldn't go away, unfortunately, but we did what we had to do. "We were cast in the role of the villain, so we embraced that." An inspirational figure, Docherty has twice beaten testicular cancer and endured three knee reconstructions, while winning a Carlton best-and-fairest award and All-Australian selection. The 31-year-old entered the field of play for his 184th and last game with his family, and had 16 disposals between a wing and half-forward. He was moved into attack after halftime and provided a highlight with a third-quarter goal, celebrating with a bow to the crowd. Docherty was also used as a stepladder by Hawks forward Calsher Dear, who took a mark-of-the-year contender on his opponent's shoulders. Blues coach Michael Voss conceded it was a disappointing result in Docherty's final appearance and vice-captain Jacob Weitering's 200th game. "We came in wanting to create a sort of pretty special memory off two players that we hold in the highest of regard," Voss said. "They've had huge impact on our football club ... so we would've liked to have started better. "The Hawks getting the jump and the scoreboard going that way, it just proved too hard to be able to fight back. "While the rest of the game was somewhat a stalemate, the reality was the margin was too big to drag back." Mitch Lewis kicked his first goal in more than a year in Hawthorn's hot start, helping them to a 25-0 lead before Corey Durdin got the Blues on the board. It was brief respite for Carlton, who trailed 6.1 to 1.2 at quarter-time and were 42 points in arrears early in the third term. Docherty briefly sparked Carlton late in the quarter, kicking one goal but missing the chance for another after he had caught James Sicily holding the ball. But the Blues never got close enough to threaten a boilover. Jack Gunston (three goals), Nick Watson, Dear and Lewis (two each) shared the load in attack for Hawthorn. Will Day made a successful return from a foot injury with 15 disposals on limited minutes, and hauled in a spectacular mark over Lachie Fogarty. Fellow Hawks midfielder Jai Newcombe was subbed out in the third term after nursing a tight calf into the match. Dylan Moore (27 touches), Jarman Impey (25) and Josh Ward (22) were all busy, with Sicily and Tom Barrass strong in defence. Weitering worked tirelessly for Carlton opposed to Gunston, while George Hewett (25 disposals) and Zac Williams (18 touches, seven clearances) battled hard. Amid intrigue around his playing future, Charlie Curnow kicked two goals from 10 disposals and McKay booted one late on return from a knee injury. Hawthorn's self-proclaimed "villains" have spoiled Sam Docherty's farewell party, cruising to a 24-point win as the Carlton hero waved an emotional MCG goodbye. Docherty kicked a goal and was given a touching send-off in front of 51,271 fans on Thursday night after announcing his retirement mid-week. But there was no fairytale ending to the two-time cancer survivor's remarkable career against the businesslike Hawks, who kicked eight of the first nine goals in their 13.7 (85) to 9.7 (61) victory. A sixth win from seven outings strengthened Hawthorn's grip on a top-eight spot and kept them firmly in top-four contention with a 13-6 record. "They were playing for a bit ... so we knew there would be a little bit of extra something about it and we were pleased we were able to respond early," Hawks coach Sam Mitchell said. "They wouldn't go away, unfortunately, but we did what we had to do. "We were cast in the role of the villain, so we embraced that." An inspirational figure, Docherty has twice beaten testicular cancer and endured three knee reconstructions, while winning a Carlton best-and-fairest award and All-Australian selection. The 31-year-old entered the field of play for his 184th and last game with his family, and had 16 disposals between a wing and half-forward. He was moved into attack after halftime and provided a highlight with a third-quarter goal, celebrating with a bow to the crowd. Docherty was also used as a stepladder by Hawks forward Calsher Dear, who took a mark-of-the-year contender on his opponent's shoulders. Blues coach Michael Voss conceded it was a disappointing result in Docherty's final appearance and vice-captain Jacob Weitering's 200th game. "We came in wanting to create a sort of pretty special memory off two players that we hold in the highest of regard," Voss said. "They've had huge impact on our football club ... so we would've liked to have started better. "The Hawks getting the jump and the scoreboard going that way, it just proved too hard to be able to fight back. "While the rest of the game was somewhat a stalemate, the reality was the margin was too big to drag back." Mitch Lewis kicked his first goal in more than a year in Hawthorn's hot start, helping them to a 25-0 lead before Corey Durdin got the Blues on the board. It was brief respite for Carlton, who trailed 6.1 to 1.2 at quarter-time and were 42 points in arrears early in the third term. Docherty briefly sparked Carlton late in the quarter, kicking one goal but missing the chance for another after he had caught James Sicily holding the ball. But the Blues never got close enough to threaten a boilover. Jack Gunston (three goals), Nick Watson, Dear and Lewis (two each) shared the load in attack for Hawthorn. Will Day made a successful return from a foot injury with 15 disposals on limited minutes, and hauled in a spectacular mark over Lachie Fogarty. Fellow Hawks midfielder Jai Newcombe was subbed out in the third term after nursing a tight calf into the match. Dylan Moore (27 touches), Jarman Impey (25) and Josh Ward (22) were all busy, with Sicily and Tom Barrass strong in defence. Weitering worked tirelessly for Carlton opposed to Gunston, while George Hewett (25 disposals) and Zac Williams (18 touches, seven clearances) battled hard. Amid intrigue around his playing future, Charlie Curnow kicked two goals from 10 disposals and McKay booted one late on return from a knee injury. Hawthorn's self-proclaimed "villains" have spoiled Sam Docherty's farewell party, cruising to a 24-point win as the Carlton hero waved an emotional MCG goodbye. Docherty kicked a goal and was given a touching send-off in front of 51,271 fans on Thursday night after announcing his retirement mid-week. But there was no fairytale ending to the two-time cancer survivor's remarkable career against the businesslike Hawks, who kicked eight of the first nine goals in their 13.7 (85) to 9.7 (61) victory. A sixth win from seven outings strengthened Hawthorn's grip on a top-eight spot and kept them firmly in top-four contention with a 13-6 record. "They were playing for a bit ... so we knew there would be a little bit of extra something about it and we were pleased we were able to respond early," Hawks coach Sam Mitchell said. "They wouldn't go away, unfortunately, but we did what we had to do. "We were cast in the role of the villain, so we embraced that." An inspirational figure, Docherty has twice beaten testicular cancer and endured three knee reconstructions, while winning a Carlton best-and-fairest award and All-Australian selection. The 31-year-old entered the field of play for his 184th and last game with his family, and had 16 disposals between a wing and half-forward. He was moved into attack after halftime and provided a highlight with a third-quarter goal, celebrating with a bow to the crowd. Docherty was also used as a stepladder by Hawks forward Calsher Dear, who took a mark-of-the-year contender on his opponent's shoulders. Blues coach Michael Voss conceded it was a disappointing result in Docherty's final appearance and vice-captain Jacob Weitering's 200th game. "We came in wanting to create a sort of pretty special memory off two players that we hold in the highest of regard," Voss said. "They've had huge impact on our football club ... so we would've liked to have started better. "The Hawks getting the jump and the scoreboard going that way, it just proved too hard to be able to fight back. "While the rest of the game was somewhat a stalemate, the reality was the margin was too big to drag back." Mitch Lewis kicked his first goal in more than a year in Hawthorn's hot start, helping them to a 25-0 lead before Corey Durdin got the Blues on the board. It was brief respite for Carlton, who trailed 6.1 to 1.2 at quarter-time and were 42 points in arrears early in the third term. Docherty briefly sparked Carlton late in the quarter, kicking one goal but missing the chance for another after he had caught James Sicily holding the ball. But the Blues never got close enough to threaten a boilover. Jack Gunston (three goals), Nick Watson, Dear and Lewis (two each) shared the load in attack for Hawthorn. Will Day made a successful return from a foot injury with 15 disposals on limited minutes, and hauled in a spectacular mark over Lachie Fogarty. Fellow Hawks midfielder Jai Newcombe was subbed out in the third term after nursing a tight calf into the match. Dylan Moore (27 touches), Jarman Impey (25) and Josh Ward (22) were all busy, with Sicily and Tom Barrass strong in defence. Weitering worked tirelessly for Carlton opposed to Gunston, while George Hewett (25 disposals) and Zac Williams (18 touches, seven clearances) battled hard. Amid intrigue around his playing future, Charlie Curnow kicked two goals from 10 disposals and McKay booted one late on return from a knee injury.
7NEWS
5 days ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Kade Simpson chairs off Sam Docherty in Carlton veteran's emotional goodbye to footy
Sam Docherty has been reunited with a popular former teammate for an emotional goodbye to footy at the MCG on Thursday night. The Blues' 9.7 (61) to 13.7 (85) loss to Hawthorn sounded the final siren on the ex-Carlton skipper's AFL career following his retirement announcement earlier in the week. Despite the result Docherty's third-quarter goal proved a highlight before he was chaired off alongside Jacob Weitering, playing his 200th game, after the match. Blues great turned Hawthorn assistant coach Kade Simpson crossed the divide to carry Docherty alongside his other great mate Patrick Cripps. 'This is a pretty special moment,' Luke Hodge said in commentary for Channel 7. Docherty followed the farewell by immediately running back out onto the ground to thank the Carlton cheer squad one last time. He retires as one of the most admired players in the league after overcoming three ACL injuries and two bouts of testicular cancer. 'Strange feeling, to be honest. It's all I've done for 14 years — I don't really know how to sum it up at the moment,' Docherty told Channel 7. 'Amazing to have all my friends, family (here), share the game with Weiters, chair-off with Simmo, it's about as good as I could've felt other than getting the win. 'Strange feeling not coming in next week or having to do any recovery after this but I've had a career I'm pretty proud of, happy to go and relax and do some other stuff for a while.' Docherty was celebrated with a presentation in the rooms, surrounded by his wife, two children and their family. 'The finality of it — it's quite jarring,' AFL great Nick Riewoldt said post-game. 'That whole chapter of your life is over. In Sam's case you walk away with really an unprecedented level of respect because of the challenges that he's faced. 'Pretty special to be going home with your family to embark on that next chapter.' It took some time for Carlton to show some fight for the No.15 in his final game, with the playing group clearly limping to the end of the season after a horror campaign. The Blues had just one goal to their name and trailed by nearly 40 points early in the second quarter. Hawthorn's sixth win from seven outings strengthened their grip on a top-eight spot and kept them firmly in top-four contention with a 13-6 record. Jack Gunston (three goals), Calsher Dear, Mitch Lewis and Nick Watson (two each) shared the load in attack for Hawthorn. Will Day made a successful return from a foot injury with 15 disposals on limited minutes, and hauled in a spectacular mark over Lachie Fogarty. Fellow Hawks midfielder Jai Newcombe was subbed out in the third term — described as 'managed' by the club — after a second successive quiet performance. Dylan Moore (27 touches), Jarman Impey (25) and Josh Ward (22) were all busy.
7NEWS
5 days ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Retiring hero Sam Docherty takes his bow with popular goal in farewell appearance
Sam Docherty has taken his bow to celebrate a popular goal in his final AFL appearance. The much-loved Carlton veteran this week announced he would retire immediately after Thursday night's clash with Hawthorn. One of the most admired players in the league after overcoming three ACL injuries and two bouts of testicular cancer, he still couldn't avoid the wars for his MCG farewell. He was sat on by Calsher Dear for a mark of the year contender and copped a cut to the face in the first half. But it was all forgotten when the 31-year-old former skipper got on the end of one in the third quarter. 'He runs into the open goal and says thank you very much for coming,' Brian Taylor said in commentary on Channel 7. 'He takes a bow and gets the congratulations from all teammates.' Blues fans stood as one to applaud while wife Natalie celebrated with their two young children, who were carried by Docherty through the banner before the game. His goal was a rare bright spot for Carlton after being dominated by the Hawks to trail by 30 points at three-quarter time. Docherty famously kicked a goal in his Round 1, 2022 comeback from his second bout of cancer, bringing the house down midway through the Blues' win over Richmond. He then repeated the feat last year in returning from his latest ACL injury. Docherty went down against Brisbane at the Gabba in Opening Round but somehow returned for Carlton's elimination final against the same opponent at the same ground. But in that instance his goal was a mere consolation as the Blues went down by 28 points.
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Retiring star Sam Docherty ‘put on a poster' in huge Calsher Dear grab
Calsher Dear clearly didn't get the memo about cherished Carlton star Sam Docherty's last game in the AFL. Docherty had tears flowing across the footy world earlier this week as the man who beat cancer twice announced Thursday night's clash with Hawthorn would be his 184th and last for the Blues. The 31-year-old was a huge part of the pre-game build-up on Fox Footy and was mentioned on the Carlton banner alongside Jacob Weitering in his 200th game. But once the game got underway, 19-year-old Dear did all he could to steal the show. The rangy 195cm youngster, pick 56 in the 2023 draft who is the son of Norm Smith medallist and premiership winner Paul Dear, was playing just his 21st game for the Hawks. Watch Calsher Dear's mark in the video player above With 30 seconds remaining in a dominant first quarter for Hawthorn, Dear put his stamp on the contest – and his legs on poor Docherty's shoulders – in a sensational grab in the goalsquare. Another veteran in Jack Gunston had a shot on goal from right on the 50m arc fall short and Dear read it best, soaring through the air to take the mark at full stretch as the commentators lost their minds. 'Gunston from on 50. Right to the top of goal, oh Calsher Dear!' Mark Howard said on Fox Footy. 'A young man with a big fly!' Jack Riewoldt added: 'Ah, that was a hanger. That was huge.' From the sideline, Brad Johnson referenced the commentary from Alex Jesaulenko's famous mark when he said: 'You beauty guys. How good was that?' Dear had a strong rookie campaign last season, making 17 appearances for the Hawks and kicking 25 goals, picking up a Rising Star nomination along the way. He was featuring in just his fourth game of 2025 against the Blues, missing the first four months of the season due to a back issue. The club has carefully managed the young forward, who had an extended stint in the VFL and is now playing his third straight AFL game as the finals loom. He took the term 'rising star' to a whole new level on Thursday night and David King was glowing about the youngster's future as the Hawks took a five-goal lead into halftime. 'He's the wildcard,' King said. 'He's the one, I mentioned in the pre-game I just think he's got a big game in him. 'Whether it's tonight or the next couple of weeks, it's been two weeks back in this line-up, he's kicked 5.2 coming into tonight and he just looks lively. 'This is a big hang. A big hang.' Riewoldt then spared a thought for Docherty, who was the unfortunate step ladder to help Dear pull off the superb mark. 'Sam Docherty, in his last game, has been put on a poster by Calsher Dear in what, game 21,' the Richmond great said. 'It's a weird and wonderful game footy.' Dear's name was quickly trending on social media, with many commenting on the mark. The official AFL account tweeted a video with the caption: 'Calsher Dear said it was time to fly.' An account called @whinacooperrr wrote: 'Just give Calsher Dear (mark of the year) now omfg.' Fox Footy said: 'Calsher Dear with a HUGE HANG ... on the retiring Sam Docherty.' 7AFL wrote in all caps: 'Calsher Dear might never come down.' Leo Barry got a reference when @dazzb65 tweeted: 'Calsher Dear. You Star.' A Hawthorn fan quipped: 'How's the weather up there Calsher Dear?? WOW.' X account Americans Watching The Footy was feeling for the retiring Carlton star, writing: ''See, that's why I'm retiring' – Sam Docherty.'
ABC News
5 days ago
- Sport
- ABC News
AFL round 20 live updates: Hawthorn vs Carlton — blog, scores and stats from the MCG
Hawthorn face Carlton at the MCG in beloved Blue Sam Docherty's last game at AFL level. Follow the live blog below, keep up to date with all the latest stats in our ScoreCentre, and tune in to our live radio coverage.
