CARLTON has emerged from Optus Stadium with another thumping win, this time accounting for Fremantle by 53 points.

In the Blues’ third consecutive victory, the collective were combative from the opening bounce, coming away from Perth with a 14.14 (98) to 6.9 (45) win.

Sam Walsh enjoyed a blistering first half to end with 32 disposals, while Charlie Curnow (three goals) and Nic Newman (23 disposals) marked their milestone games with impressive individual showings.

Quarter one

Michael Voss’ message on Friday was clear: he didn’t want the Blues to chase the game on an away deck. It was clear that his team heeded that message, with Carlton bursting out of the blocks from the opening siren. The Blues’ pressure at the contest once again formed the foundation of their game, getting the ball forward — even if it didn’t yield immediate results. Despite posting 10 of the first 12 inside 50s, the Blues were goalless inside the opening 10 minutes, before Matthew Kennedy pushed forward to start the scoreboard ticking over. The two former Dockers in Adam Cerra and Blake Acres were central in setting the tone, with Acres accumulating nine first-quarter disposals while Cerra’s rundown tackle on Michael Walters turned a likely Fremantle score into a Harry McKay major. Charlie Curnow also hit the scoreboard in game No.100, while Sam Walsh led from the front with 13 first-quarter disposals as the Blues kicked four goals to nil (all off turnover) in the opening stanza.

Quarter two

Fremantle was always going to bounce back after the first term, and goals to Michael Walters and Luke Jackson inside the opening minutes was a a sign of the home team’s intent. After a few half chances for the Blues went begging, it was the milestone man in Curnow who eased the pressure, taking front position to mark and goal. His 100th game counterpart in Nic Newman was just as good behind the ball, standing up under increasing Fremantle pressure to accumulate 15 disposals - including six intercept possessions - at the half. Continuing his outstanding form in recent weeks, Jacob Weitering held firm with a pair of contested marks, while McKay repeated the dosage at the other end to give the Blues some breathing room. Despite Sean Darcy’s hitout dominance (36 to half time) given the Blues were without a recognised ruck, Carlton’s midfielders ability to scrap and shark saw the away side lead contested possessions (+4) and draw levels in clearances at the main break, still holding a 25-point advantage.

Quarter three

All eyes were on the opening minutes, with the first goal going a long way to dictating how the term would be played. Alas, it was Lachie Fogarty who came through with the Navy Blue goods, and he did so in some style, fending off an opponent and dropping the Sherrin onto his right foot with his left hand for a crafty major. The highlights in front of goal didn’t stop there for the Blues, as a few individuals very familiar with the territory that got in on the act. First, it was West Australian native Mitch McGovern that launched from 55 on the run, before former Docker Cerra bounced one home from the edge of 50 to send a strong Navy Blue contingent in the crowd into raptures. When the Blues were challenged, the likes of Jordan Boyd were there on the last line to thwart any danger. More unselfish work from Jack Silvagni led to Matthew Owies kicking his second goal, while Weitering continued his outstanding work in defence as the Blues kept their opponents goalless for the second quarter of three for the game. The only sour notes for the Blues was a knee injury to Matthew Kennedy, who came from the ground in the hands of trainers midway through the quarter, as well as a corked thigh for Mitch McGovern in the final minute.

Quarter four

Kennedy and McGovern didn’t return after their respective injuries, with George Hewett subbed into the game for his fellow inside midfielder. As he did in the second term, Walters ensured the Blues wouldn’t keep their opponents goalless for the term once again. With the Blues two down and the sting out of the contest, Fremantle added some consolation in the final quarter. The Blues weren’t without their own highlights, with Curnow kicking his third in game No.100 while Matthew Cottrell marked his return from suspension with a classy major. Carlton’s hunt at the source didn’t relent, ultimately coming away from Optus Stadium with another big win — this time, by 53 points.

Three things we learned

1. Full of fight. For the third consecutive week, Michael Voss’ side was up for the contest from the opening bounce, overwhelming their opponents with their physicality all over the ground. Despite Fremantle clearly having the ruck ascendancy with Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson, Lewis Young and Jack Silvagni performed admirably, clawing and scrapping away to put the heat on and see the Blues win the midfield battle (+15 contested possessions).

2. If one doesn’t get you, another will. Anyone who has watched Carlton play in recent months will know that its midfield mix is operating at a higher level, even before results started to turn. The way the collective unit operated on Sunday was evidence of exactly that. Sam Walsh was everywhere in the first half, with 23 disposals in the opening half, but when he got more attention, his mates lifted. Cerra’s third quarter was exemplary with 11 disposals and a goal, while Patrick Cripps was consistent all day in his home state, finishing with 29 disposals.

3. The last two times the Blues ventured to Optus Stadium, Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay combined for 10 goals on both occasions. While the twin towers still combined for six on Sunday evening, it was once again the team’s breadth of contributors that got the job done for the Blues. Deep into the final term, the Blues’ forwards had more contested possessions inside 50 than the Dockers had in their defensive 50, while their inside-50 tackle count sat at 18: their highest tally for the season.

FREMANTLE     0.3     2.7     2.8

CARLTON          4.3     6.8     12.12

GOALS
Carlton: Curnow 3, McKay 3, Owies 2, Cerra, Cottrell, Docherty, Fogarty, Kennedy, McGovern

BEST
Carlton: Walsh, Cerra, Cripps, McKay, Weitering, Docherty, Newman