IN EDDIE Betts' 350th and final game, as well as Levi Casboult's last performance for the Blues, the veterans combined for four goals and plenty of forward impact. 

It wasn't meant to be in Carlton's final game for the season, falling by 14 points to Greater Western Sydney. 

Ed Curnow was a highlight for the Blues, slotting four goals and gathering 25 disposals and nine score involvements.

Quarter one: 

It was a tough contest with lots of end-to-end play in the first five minutes. The Blues did well to get the ball forward, but once they entered the 50, their composure and clean ball movement was lacking. Carlton moved the ball quickly into the forward line and were rewarded for their effort through Ed Curnow after a superb tackle from Corey Durdin. The Blues did well to overturn the Giants’ possession across half forward, as Sam Walsh and Lochie O’Brien did well to get the wheels in motion. Durdin slotted his first career goal in his second game, being set up by the fancy footwork of fellow second-gamer Brodie Kemp. Patrick Cripps dominated the clearances, instrumental in moving the ball quickly for the Blues. A late goal from the Giants narrowed the margin, with the Blues holding a seven-point lead at the first change.  

Quarter two:

The Giants charged forward from the bounce, but the Blues' defence - led by Jacob Weitering - played some strong footy. Liam Stocker and Kemp showed class in the back half while Cripps and Walsh battled it out in the clinches, setting up forward 50 entries for the Blues. Levi Casboult slotted an impressive set shot after a strong contested mark while Weitering continued his impressive intercept work in the defensive half. Eddie Betts did what he did best and dribbled through a nice goal with the assist from Casboult. Mitch McGovern helped widen the margin with a goal and Adam Saad used his speed and piercing kick to penetrate the Giants midfield, but another two late goals saw the Giants trail by just one point at the half-time break.

Quarter three: 

It was all Greater Western Sydney in the first five minutes. The ball was pinned in their forward half and they eventually got reward for effort with a goal from Zach Sproule, seeing them take the lead. Nic Newman continued his strong defensive work as Josh Kelly and Lachie Whitfield began to trouble Carlton. Zac Fisher, Lachie Fogarty and O’Brien provided some zip along the wing but the Blues struggled to get clean entries into their forward line. Five unanswered goals from the Giants saw the margin blow out, with the Blues struggling to find answers to the star-studded midfield. Paddy Dow was subbed in for Cripps (foot injury), and immediately put his contested ball-winning ability to work. Jesse Hogan and Toby Greene were challenging opponents for the Carlton defence, as they tried desperately to stop the run of Greater Western Sydney. De Koning was kept busy in the ruck as the contest grew heated in the Giants forward line. A late goal from Ed Curnow was just what the Blues needed to end the Giants run and head into the last term strong. 

Quarter four: 

Carlton came out fast out of the gate, able to pin the ball in their forward line and eventually see Ed Curnow slot his fourth goal: an equal career-high. The Blues didn’t make the most of their chances and the Giants took advantage at the other end. Saad and Weitering were strong in the defensive half, but repeat entries started to put the Blues under the pump in the final term. A second goal for Casboult gave Carlton a sniff, and a follow up from Zac Fisher certainly helped the belief heading into the final minutes, but a goal from Cal Ward made the margin too hard to catch: the Blues' misfortunes were then compounded after Tom De Koning was stretchered off following a heavy head knock. A final goal from Betts was fitting, with the champion small forward eventually chaired off amidst a guard of honour.

Match summary

CARLTON                                       2.4     6.6     7.7      11.9 (75)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY     1.3     6.5     9.10    12.17 (89)

GOALS
Carlton: E.Curnow 4, Casboult 2, Betts 2, Durdin, McGovern, Fisher

BEST
Carlton: E.Curnow, Newman, Weitering, Walsh, Stocker, Kennedy

INJURIES
Carlton: Cripps (foot), De Koning (head knock)

SUBSTITUTES
Carlton: Dow (replaced Cripps)