BACK on board.

Carlton showed what its brutal best was capable of at the MCG in Round 14 action, triumphing by 59 points in a return to winning form.

The Blues kicked 12 consecutive goals at one point in the 18.12 (120) to 8.13 (61) triumph, with star players all over the park.

Adam Cerra continued his hot run of form in the middle, and was well supported by Sam Walsh in the midfield. Patrick Cripps found his goalkicking boots with three majors, while Harry McKay matched his captain’s goal-scoring return in his 100th AFL game.

Quarter one
David Cuningham started inside 50 at the opening bounce, with Sam Docherty stationed on the wing. The Suns dominated the early territory with 11 of the first 14 inside 50s, largely coming off the back of their prowess at the coalface (+11 contested possessions). Undersized against one-time teammate Levi Casboult, Brodie Kemp stood up well under early pressure with five disposals and four marks in the opening term. While it was Blue-turned-Sun Casboult who opened proceedings from a goals perspective, it was a former Sun who got the ball rolling for the home side, with some Jack Martin cleverness setting up Adam Cerra at the other end. Cerra had eight disposals in the opening quarter to continue his strong form, while Adam Saad led all comers with nine disposals and a team-high 187 metres gained. The Blues managed to get more forward territory in the back half of the term, but found themselves 10 points in arrears after a slow start.

Quarter two

Carlton’s intent from the opening bounce was evident, with Patrick Cripps, Sam Walsh and Harry McKay all combining for the 100-gamer’s first of the day. It set the tone for the next 10 minutes, where the Blues were at their brutal best: by the nine-minute mark of the quarter, the Blues found themselves 20 points to the good after five straight goals. Matthew Cottrell was the chief instigator, kicking two goals in 60 seconds to generate energy all around the MCG. After an arm wrestle in the middle portion of the term, Carlton once again took control of the contest, largely on the back of daring ball movement from defence and sheer appetite at the contest. Their destruction at the coalface was evident, winning nine out of the 10 centre clearances for the quarter: six of the Blues’ nine goals for the quarter came from clearances. The Blues’ Sams were crucial in the second-quarter blitz, with Docherty collecting 10 disposals and Walsh accumulating nine disposals and three goal assists.

Quarter three

Carlton’s tackle pressure continued from the outset, ending in Cerra - just as he did for the Blues in the opening term - registering the team’s first of the quarter. The feel-good moment of the day came not long afterwards, when after some unselfish play by Charlie Curnow, Lachie Fogarty - playing his first game in over a year following back surgery - marking his return with a major. The Blues’ run of 12 straight goals was ended via Jack Lukosius, as the game began to tighten up following the Blues’ barrage for a quarter and a half. Gold Coast converted three consecutive majors in the middle portion of the term, which could’ve potentially created some nervous moments for Carlton: however, in the team’s time of need, Charlie Curnow stood up to drive one home from close range. With more time spent in Carlton’s defensive half, Jacob Weitering (five contested possessions for the quarter, seven intercepts to three-quarter time) stood up as the Blues maintained a 45-point lead at the final change.

Quarter four

McKay marked his century of games with an MCG hat-trick, bringing it up inside the opening 30 seconds of the final term. After just one goal inside the opening 13 rounds of the season, Cripps made up for lost time with his second - and later, his third - goal of the game, with the Blues breaking the 100-point barrier not long after. Paddy Dow was brought into the game for Jack Martin, as the Blues’ four-quarter commitment was typified by sprawling smothers from Jacob Weitering and Nic Newman despite the game largely being over on the scoreboard. Matthew Owies provided an individual moment of ingenuity, soccering a goal through a sea of legs as Carlton fans rejoiced in the stands. After a long seven weeks, the noise at the home of football was one to savour as the Blues returned to the winners’ list.

Three things we learned

1. It was just what the Blues needed. After a relatively slow start at the MCG, Carlton well and truly kicked into gear from the midway point of the first term, relishing the contest as Michael Voss requested late in the week. Against a strong contested outfit, the Blues outhunted the Suns around the ball, showing just how damaging they can be when it clicks into gear. There was reward for effort on the scoreboard this week, too.

2. This one isn’t so much about learning something new as much as it is confirming what we’ve already seen. Adam Cerra has been a standout for the Blues in recent weeks, but maybe hasn’t received the individual acclaim given the lack of wins the Blues have enjoyed. That wasn’t the case on Sunday afternoon, with Carlton romping to a big win and Cerra clearly the best player on the ground in the opening half. He finished with 27 disposals (17 contested), eight clearances and two goals.

3. The spread of contributors is what would’ve pleased Michael Voss and his coaching staff to no end. In Carlton’s four wins prior to today, Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay had averaged over seven goals as a pairing. While they combined for five on Sunday, it was the Blues’ breadth of contributors all over the field - the Blues had nine individual goalkickers (including seven with multiples) and as many players with 18 disposals or more.

CARLTON             1.2     10.5     13.8      18.12 (120)
GOLD COAST       2.6     2.9       5.11       8.13 (61)

GOALS
Carlton: McKay 3, Cripps 3, Cerra 2, Cottrell 2, C.Curnow 2, De Koning 2, Owies 2, Fogarty, Kennedy

BESTS
Carlton: Cerra, Walsh, Docherty, Weitering, Cripps, McKay, Kennedy, Kemp