THREE from three.

A blistering first quarter and gripping final stanza has secured Carlton a victory over Hawthorn by the smallest of margins.

Sam Docherty was superb for the Blues and finished the game as a two-time David Parkin Medallist, while it was Jack Silvagni’s third goal of the game which proved to be the decider.

Quarter one 

While the quarter started slow, with neither side able to capitalise on their forward 50 entries, it was all the Blues after that. Harry McKay, Charlie Curnow, Patrick Cripps and Jack Silvagni all recorded set-shot goals after impressive contested marks inside forward 50, before the Carlton smalls brigade got to work. Buzzing around in the front half, with Corey Durdin and Matt Owies both slotting a goal, with Durdin’s in particular an opportunistic snap from the boundary which Eddie Betts - who undertook a lap of honour with Marc Murphy pre-game - would’ve enjoyed. Matt Kennedy was influential early in the centre, combining with Sam Walsh to gain the ascendancy in the middle of the ground. It was up forward where the Blues well and truly did the damage, recording a seven-goal quarter for the third consecutive week.

Quarter two

After having the game on its terms throughout the first quarter, Carlton had to battle as Hawthorn upped its pressure in the second quarter. After the Hawks opened the scoring, the Blues managed to extend their margin to 40 points thanks to Silvagni and Curnow: after waiting six years for the 2015 NAB AFL Draft trio to record multiple goals in the same game, it took just one week for history to repeat itself. The game turned into a grind from the midway point of the term, with Luke Breust looming dangerously at Carlton’s defensive end. While there was a typical MCG roar reserved for McKay’s two first-quarter goals, it was his chasedown tackle of Josh Ward which brought the biggest cheer of the term from a Carlton faithful which turned up to the home of football in big numbers.

Quarter three

The Blues got the start they were looking for, and it was courtesy of the individual who has been the man for the big moments in the last fortnight. Another contested mark in forward 50 was met with an accurate snap from Charlie Curnow, reinstating Carlton’s five-goal lead. However, what ensued from there in the third term was a scrappy affair, with Hawthorn’s two goals generated from counter attacks on the back of the Blues not being able to capitalise on their multiple forward forays. Sam Docherty played a busy role in the back half, collecting 12 disposals and operating at 83 per cent efficiency for the quarter. Similar to the Round 2 bout against the Western Bulldogs, the Blues held a 17-point lead heading into the final term, but would’ve been rueing the fact that it could’ve been more if not for some costly skill errors.

Quarter four

An early Hawthorn goal was the last thing that the Blues needed heading into the final term. The Blues had issues with their forward connection which was a strong suit early, as the game continued in its contested vein. George Hewett continued his positive work around the contest, carrying the team in clearances and also picking up influential contested possessions. The Hawks took the lead for the first time in the match, as Carlton scrambled for answers up forward, unable to stop Hawthorn’s quick transition. Silvagni kicked a much-needed goal for the Blues, putting them just ahead in the final minutes of the term. Jack Gunston brought the margin back to a point with minutes to spare, but it was his direct opponent - Jacob Weitering - who saved the day with an incredible diving mark in the last minute.

Three things we learned

1. Carlton’s forward mix is very much beginning to jell, and that was never more evident than the first term. Once again under the tutelage of last week’s stand-in Senior Coach Ash Hansen, the Blues capitalised on their attacking play early in the game, producing seven first-quarter goals. For the second straight week, all three of Charlie Curnow, Harry McKay and Jack Silvagni recorded multiple goals.
2. In his Carlton debut, Lewis Young slotted in well. After making his AFL debut against the Blues at the MCG back in 2017, it was a full-circle moment for the new Blue No.33. Stationed for large portions of the contest against the in-form Mitch Lewis, Young handled his direct opposition well and performed strongly in his new defensive partnership with Jacob Weitering.
3. Sometimes, you’ve got to win ugly. After the glorious opening term from a Navy Blue point of view, the Blues were challenged and simply had to find a way to win. In front of 66,317 people at the MCG, the relief and euphoria was evident come the final siren. It may not have been as stylish as the Round 1 and 2 victories, but it was another four points on the board.

CARLTON          7.1     9.5     10.6     11.8 (74)
HAWTHORN      1.3     4.5     7.7       11.7 (73)

GOALS
Carlton: Curnow 3, Silvagni 3, McKay 2, Cripps, Durdin, Owies

BEST
Carlton: Docherty, Kennedy, Weitering, Cripps, Silvagni, Curnow, Walsh