AN IMPOSING second half has seen Carlton record its third consecutive victory.

Trailing by two points at the major break, the Blues kicked 11 of the next 13 goals, coming away with a 23-point victory in front of a record Good Friday SuperClash crowd. 

As the Blues prepare for another big event next week - the Gather Round opener - they will walk into Round 5 undefeated, off the back of 10 goals between twin towers Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay.

00:29

AFL R4 | Team song

Watch the Blues celebrate their round four win

Quarter one 

Charlie Curnow kicking the first goal of the term at the eight-minute mark was indicative of the term – relatively even with both sides struggling to pin the ball in their forward half. Mitch McGovern (10 disposals) and Lewis Young (10 disposals, eight marks) were strong when the Roos came at them, using their overhead marking and sure disposal to provide cover on the last line of defence. Harry McKay provided marking options and slotted a goal for the Blues after some quick transition down the wing. Carlton well and truly out-marked North Melbourne, looking to go slow and control the ball at every opportunity. A late goal from North Melbourne saw Carlton head into the first break six points down.

Quarter two 

Despite a fast start from the Blues - with McKay crumbing a major in the goal square - North had the better of the territory in the second quarter. Carlton struggled to move the ball cleanly, unable to get any flow behind their ball movement. Adam Saad was crucial behind the ball, gaining 294 metres and 18 disposals to half time, using his precision delivery to give the Blues some relief. Jacob Weitering was a key pillar down back alongside Young, halting North’s fast breaks from the centre: it was a topsy turvy game, with eight lead changes in the first half as neither side able to break the game open on the scoreboard. North Melbourne had the better of the clearances (21-16) and inside 50s (27-22), but Carlton held up well and was converting when going forward. Adam Cerra was working hard in the contest, managing five tackles in the first half, while Zac Fisher was Carlton’s prime ball-winner out of the middle with five clearances. The Blues trailed by two points at the main break.

Quarter three 

The Blues put their foot down in the third term, slotting four goals from turnovers and six unanswered goals in total. It saw the Blues overturn what was a game-high nine-point deficit into a 25-point lead at the final change. A Jesse Motlop goal from the boundary outside 50 had the crowd on their feet, shortly followed by a goal from housemate Corey Durdin. A classic McKay around-the-body snap put a pep in Carlton’s step while Curnow’s fourth solidified the ascendancy. The Blues managed 17-7 inside 50s, as well as getting the better of the centre clearances – an area they struggled with in the first half.  An imposing third term opened up a four-goal lead at the final change.

00:41

AFL R4 | Motlop mania as big bomb gets Blues bouncing

Jesse Motlop lands this superb long-range effort as Carlton looks to pull away

Quarter four 

Carlton picked up where they left off, kicking the first three goals of the quarters – with Jack Silvagni and Josh Honey slotting their firsts for the game. All three goals came from kick ins - a source the Blues hadn’t scored from before this year - as the Blues connected strongly between the arcs. Lachie Cowan showed his unflappable courage late in the game, dropping into the hole which would’ve made former No.26 David Rhys-Jones - who was in attendance at Marvel Stadium - full of pride. After opening up a 46-point lead, when Ed Curnow once against assisted brother Charlie for his sixth, the Blues coughed up the final four goals of the game, but still came away from the Good Friday SuperClash keeping their undefeated record in tact.

00:33

AFL R4 | Cracking Curnow clunk and finish kicks things off

The Blues draw first blood as Charlie Curnow takes a strong mark and converts the resulting shot

Three things from the game: 

1. Adam Saad has mentioned in the past about what the holy month of Ramadan means to him, and how it reflects in his football. That was evident in Round 4, particularly in the first half when North had the better of the contest. Totalling 25 disposals at 92 per cent efficiency, Saad was on the front foot all night, and continued to rebound at will when the Blues got hold of the contest.

2. It’s tough to beat a Coleman Medallist at the best of times, let alone two. Continuing their outstanding record at Marvel Stadium, Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay did the damage for Carlton, combining for 10 goals – and kicking Carlton’s first six of the game between them. McKay was the most influential player on the ground, taking a career-high 14 marks, while Curnow’s six goals takes him to 16 from four games. Their work in tandem was the standout from the Blues’ game.

3. If the Blues want to keep the Good Friday SuperClash, as flagged by CEO Brian Cook earlier in the day, they did a great job of it. Together with North Melbourne, the game’s traditional hosts, the Round 4 clash was a spectacle that went beyond football. With kids and families aplenty in the stands, the crowd of 49,062 was a Good Friday SuperClash record.

NORTH MELBOURNE             3.4     5.8      6.12      11.18 (84)
CARLTON                                 2.4     5.6     11.7       16.11 (107)

GOALS
Carlton: C.Curnow 6, McKay 4, Motlop 2, De Koning, Durdin, Honey, Silvagni

BESTS
Carlton: McKay, Saad, C.Curnow, McGovern, Weitering, Cripps, Cerra