JOB done.

Carlton emerged with its 12th win of the 2022 campaign after a strong second-half showing resulted in a 36-point win over GWS. 

Challenged in the first half, the Blues produced eight goals to three after the main break to come away with the victory. Adam Saad - who produced a stunning mark in the third term - was brilliant on both sides of the ball, while the Blues' key forwards in Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay once again caused a headache for the opposition.

Quarter one:

It was a slow start for Carlton, with turnovers in the middle of the ground meaning they weren't able to record a forward-50 entry until the five-minute mark. As the quarter went on however, the Blues began to get the game on their term and played more cohesive football. Will Setterfield banged the first goal on the board with a remarkable snap from the boundary, building off that to produce an impressive quarter consisting of eight disposals. Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow both kicked a goal each, while Jesse Motlop provided some hot forward pressure. Lachie Plowman recorded three intercepts and four contested possessions standing strong down back, as the Giants struggled to hold the ball in their defensive 50. With a much more comprehensive finish to the term, the Blues took a 10-point lead into quarter time. 

00:41

AFL R19 | Will somehow finds a way with this supreme shot

Will Setterfield lands a dazzling goal from the tightest of angles.

Quarter two: 

Greater Western Sydney had the early territory, resulting in a Toby Greene goal to open the term. The Giants produced some clean and fast handball chains through the middle, while the Blues missed a few big opportunities in front of goal. Adam Saad’s penetrating kicks were of huge benefit to the forward line, resulting in three score involvements for the defender and saw him leading the metres gained on field. While McKay didn’t get the end on any majors in this term, he was a great outlet for his teammates, gathering seven involvements and setting up Matt Cottrell’s first goal. Adam Cerra’s tackling through the middle was ferocious, trying to break up the Giants flow, but two quick goals at the end of the term - with the away side leading inside 50s 19-8 for the term - saw Carlton head into the main break only three points ahead.

00:56

AFL R19 | Cottrell catches fire with two quick gems

Matt Cottrell gives the Blues some breathing room with a couple of goals in short time.

Quarter three: 

The first part of the term was frustrating for the Blues, as they were able to dominate possession and territory but unable to make any major impact on the scoreboard. The returning Mitch McGovern positioned himself well behind the ball, while Jack Silvagni out-bodying Nick Haynes and kicking truly lifted Carlton spirits. It commenced a purple patch for the Blues, with goals from Curnow and McKay soon following before an opportunistic Josh Honey gave the Blues a game-high lead. It was at the source where Carlton got its game going, recording the majority of their scores through clearances. Despite being helped off in the hands of trainers, Sam Walsh made a remarkable return to produce 11 disposals for the term. However, the moment of the quarter belonged to Adam Saad, who produced a Mark of the Year contender with a stunning rise in the middle of the ground.

00:46

AFL R19 | Curnow heating up quick with quality bag of tricks

Charlie Curnow ignites his side with a string of impressive plays.

Quarter four 


The term started quietly, with a lot of end-to-end play, but a captain’s goal from Patrick Cripps gave the Blues a healthy buffer. Curnow delivered another two goals to bring his tally to four for the game, while a shrugged tackle and classy finish from Corey Durdin added another moment to the Blues' highlight reel. It was a professional term from the Blues, holding onto their lead while keeping their opponent at an arm's length by dominating possession and not making many mistakes with ball in hand. Four goals to one for the term meant the Blues came away with a 36-point win, doing what they needed to do in their last game at Marvel Stadium for the season.

Three things from the game: 

1. There aren't many games where you come away with three votes and the potential Mark of the Year, but Adam Saad may have done just that. The rebounding defender was electric for the Blues, recording 25 disposals with 22 of those kicks. He operated at 92 per cent efficiency and recorded 581 metres gained to the delight of the Navy Blue faithful.

00:36

AFL R19 | Saad's Mark of the Year contender

Adam Saad raises the volume to new heights with this phenomenal mark.

2. It was a welcome return for Mitch McGovern. Stationed behind the ball, McGovern - who was playing his first senior game since Round 2 - took seven marks and performed well in a defensive unit which performed well under duress in the second term. It was a much taller backline this week compared to the last time these sides met, with McGovern and Lewis Young both in the line-up after missing the Round 9 win.

3. It was a professional showing from the Blues, particularly late in the contest after being challenged. A feature of the last quarter and a half was Carlton's willingness and ability to maintain possession: it ended with the Blues accumulating over 400 disposals for the fourth time this year. Patrick Cripps was the most prominent Blue, finishing with 34 disposals and a goal.

CARLTON       3.4     5.6     9.8        13.12 (90)
GWS              2.0     5.3     7.3        8.5 (53)

GOALS
Carlton: Curnow 4, Cottrell 2, McKay 2, Cripps, Durdin, Honey, Setterfield, Silvagni

BESTS
Carlton: Saad, Walsh, McKay, Cripps, Docherty, Setterfield, Plowman, Curnow