CARLTON has produced one of the most famous interstate wins in its history, coming back from 46 points down to prevail by a solitary point at the Gabba.

Becoming the first team to beat Brisbane on its home deck in over a year, it was the Blues’ second-biggest comeback in their history, only eclipsed by a win against Essendon in 2007.

Harry McKay was the ultimate hero for the Blues on a night of every player contributing to the comeback win, with the key forward putting the Blues ahead with just over a minute to go.

It was an even sweeter night for the Blues with Zac Williams looking assured on his return with 19 disposals, while Orazio Fantasia is sure to remember his Navy Blue debut.

Quarter one

Keen to avoid a repeat of the Blue barrage which hit the Gabba in last year’s preliminary final, it was Brisbane which made the fast start on its home deck, dominating early territory and control of the ball. After Hugh McCluggage’s opener, good work from the Club debutant - and AFL 100-gamer - Orazio Fantasia ended in a goal to Harry McKay, opening Carlton’s account for season 2024. However, despite the Blues shading the clearances and contested possessions in the first term, the quarter belonged to the Lions, who piled on six consecutive goals with the Blues’ backline under serious heat. In his first game back, Zac Williams found plenty of the ball with eight disposals in the opening term — the equal-most of anyone on the ground. The Blues found themselves without Sam Docherty for a portion of the quarter, with the midfielder heading down to the rooms for checks on his knee, but the veteran returned to the field. There was a clear focus from Carlton in the closing stages of the term to quell the damage, which they managed to do to see out the quarter: forward pressure from Ollie Hollands and Lachie Fogarty ended in the latter converting for the Blues’ second. McKay continued to provide a focal point, but with the Blues trailing inside 50s 21-9 against a clean Lions outfit, there was plenty of work to be done after the opening exchange.

Quarter two

The Blues looked to bring the fight back to Brisbane in the second quarter after the early heat applied by the Lions. The home side continued to make the most of their opportunities in the early going as they once again dominated forward territory, at one stage opening up a 46-point lead as the Blues struggled to generate any run. When Carlton needed someone to step up, it was the skipper who duly responded, ultimately accumulating 11 disposals for the quarter as he and George Hewett (nine disposals) did everything in their power to make the game a contest. It was an opportunistic goal from David Cuningham - where the Blues went from end to end after a scrappy Charlie Curnow assist - which provided a moment of respite, before the reigning Coleman Medallist hit the scoreboard in his own right. It was clearly a much improved second-quarter showing from the Blues, who showed their willingness to take the game on at every opportunity to get back in the game. The Blues’ dialled their pressure up with Ollie Hollands (six tackles) and Lachie Fogarty (five tackles) unrelenting in their defence, but the Blues still found themselves 31 points in arrears at the main break.

Quarter three

The Blues made a change at the half-time break, with Sam Docherty (jarred knee) replaced by sub Jack Carroll. The Blues set out to pick up where they left off in the second quarter — they achieved that, and then some. In his first game as co-vice captain of the Carlton Football Club, Charlie Curnow had an electric start to the second half, kicking the first two goals of the term inside the space of a minute. The Blues got their offence game off turnover well and truly going, piling on seven goals in the third quarter, and at one stage kicking eight consecutive goals for the game to hit the lead in the unlikeliest of fashions. Few had a bigger impact on the third term than the sub in Carroll, having six disposals at 100 per cent efficiency while also kicking his second goal in AFL football. After the Lions took the lead back, Harry McKay stood up with an almighty clunk and set shot to give the Blues the narrowest of leads at the final change.

Quarter four

It was always going to be a war of attrition in the final term, with the Blues spending plenty of tickets in their third-quarter break. No time was able to register consecutive goals in the final term, with Zac Bailey giving the Lions early only for captain Patrick Cripps to respond not long after. There was no holding back from either side on a muggy night at the Gabba, with the conditions - and the heat at the contest - making the Sherrin a difficult one to handle. Adam Cerra produced some crucial moments in close with nine final-quarter disposals, while Hewett continued to fight in a one-on-one battle with Lachie Neale, ending the night with 27 disposals — the most on the ground. When Charlie Cameron gave the Lions the lead again, the home side defended resolutely as hope looked to fade for the visitors. That was until McKay stepped up, taking a commanding mark on the lead and converting the set shot to put the Blues ahead by a point. It was a nervy final minute, but the Blues’ situational pre-season training held them in good stead, coming away with a famous one-point win.

BRISBANE       7.2     9.5      10.11       12.13 (85)
CARLTON        2.0     4.4      10.6        13.8 (86)

GOALS
Carlton: Curnow 4, McKay 3, Cottrell, Cuningham, Fogarty, Kennedy

BESTS
Carlton: Hewett, Curnow, McKay, Cripps, Saad, Fogarty, Cerra