A WIN to charge Carlton's 2023.

Recording the Club's first win over a reigning premier since 2010, the Blues produced some scintillating football and a gritty final few minutes to emerge with an eight-point victory over the Cats.

With leaders standing up all over the ground, Jacob Weitering held Tom Hawkins to one goal, Charlie Curnow piled on five and Carlton had contributors all over the MCG in the narrow win.

Quarter one 

It was a term of two halves: despite Carlton kicking the first goal of the game through Charlie Curnow, Geelong dominated the territory for the next 10 minutes. Lewis Young and Jacob Weitering did well in defence, putting their aerial skills on display, while the pair of Adams (Cerra and Saad) were vital in intercepting when the Cats were in transition. Ollie Hollands (eight disposals) was lively early, taking on Tom Hawkins in the defensive half and being a viable option with his run down the wing. When the Blues did get the ball into their 50, they were unable to convert, managing four behinds in a row in slippery conditions. It wasn’t until Jesse Motlop earned a free kick after some end-to-end play that the Blues were able to get reward for their effort, finishing the term with 13 inside 50s a piece and leading by five points.

Quarter two 

The quarter was a slog for the Blues early on, struggling to hold onto the ball while the Cats converted their opportunities in front of goal. Lachie Cowan didn’t shy away from the contest in his second game (four contested possessions in the first half), as the ball pinged from end to end. A classic wheel-around Curnow goal from outside 50 swung momentum the Blues’ way, with an Owies goal following shortly after through some impressive transition and unselfishness from Jack Silvagni. A booming kick from Saad set up Curnow’s third while McKay opened his account for the night. The ruck duo of Marc Pittonet and Tom De Koning had the better of Geelong, while Corey Durdin’s pressure across half-forward was impressive. A late goal from the Cats narrowly deflated the Blues’ mood, who walked into the main break eight-points in front. 

Quarter three

It wasn’t pretty early, but the Blues pressed on. Via scrounging goals on the fly through Curnow - again of the Charlie variety - and a miracle goal from Durdin in the pocket, Carlton was able to get out to a 28-point lead. Tom De Koning’s physicality in the ruck was important for the Blues, as they ground away and ramped up their pressure. Patrick Cripps unleashed his best in the third term, being the No.1 ranked player on the ground during the quarter with 11 disposals, while Ed Curnow got the Blues’ fans jumping out of their seats with his first goal since 2021. Playing desperate and determined footy, the Blues took a 23-point lead into the final change.

Quarter four

The Blues knew the Cats would come, and they did: two Cameron goals inside the opening minutes brought it back to a single-figure margin in an instant. Learning from their lessons of last week, the Blues were eventually able to settle and regain control of the ball. Newman had some crucial contested moments, before Kennedy find Owies in space for his third goal of the night. It settled Carlton, but only briefly, with another Geelong major causing a few nervy moments. Inside the final minutes, one man took the game by the scruff of the neck, with McKay clunking three contested marks backwards of centre wing to ice the game for his side.

Three things from the game: 

1. Try and stop Charlie Curnow. When the Blues were struggling to even move the ball forward, Curnow was able to pull off the most unconventional of plays – including one handed marks and goals from outside 50. Curnow’s physicality and nuance around goal constantly impresses. 
   
   
2. It was a night for the small forwards, with Corey Durdin, Jesse Motlop, Zac Fisher and Matt Owies all playing important pressure roles in the forward 50. Each hitting the scoreboard (Owies with three), the mosquito fleet were applying manic pressure at the fall of the ball on a night where Carlton's pressure formed the foundation of a big win.
   
   
3. Matt Kennedy did a solid job covering for George Hewett, totalling 26 disposals, 11 contested possessions and four clearances. Alongside Adam Cerra and Patrick Cripps, the midfielders formed a tight unit with plenty of physicality around the contest, thanks largely to the reunited ruck pairing of Tom De Koning and Marc Pittonet.

CARLTON            2.6     6.8     12.11      13.12 (90)
GEELONG            2.1     5.6     9.6          12.10 (82)   

GOALS
Carlton: C.Curnow 5, Owies 3, E.Curnow, Durdin, Fisher, McKay, Motlop

BEST
Carlton: C.Curnow, Weitering, E.Curnow, Saad, Acres, Cripps, Newman