CARLTON'S brave year has ended at Patersons Stadium, losing a bruising but enthralling first semi-final to West Coast by three points.

The final quarter was a pulsating goal-for-goal affair.

There will be much debate around a marking contest involving Carlton forward Andrew Walker and West Coast full-back Darren Glass, with the two combatants tangling 20m from the Blues' goal with just seconds remaining.

A free kick was paid to Glass and the Eagles hung on to notch a famous finals triumph.

A hero of the West Coast victory was shutdown specialist Scott Selwood, who held Carlton superstar Chris Judd to 17 disposals - his second lowest tally of the season - against the team he captained to a premiership.

It was just Judd's second loss to his old team in six clashes, with Josh Kennedy, the former Blue that was sent west at the end of 2007, also playing a big role in the outcome.

Kennedy's night appeared over when he left the ground, apparently concussed, late in the first quarter, but he rose to kick three important goals.

After getting off to a flyer and booting the first four goals of the game, Carlton surrendered the lead in the second quarter as the home team piled on eight goals to three.

A goal to Aaron Joseph right on the bell trimmed the half-time margin to 11 points at the long break, but the Blues lost Bret Thornton in the process after he came down heavily in a marking contest.

West Coast started the better in the third term but Carlton responded with three consecutive goals to trail by nine points at the final change.

West Coast had the first goal of the final term through Jack Darling but Zach Tuohy, who was the substitute for Thornton, made sure the margin was kept to single figures.

David Ellard, Jeff Garlett and Walker kicked the last three goals of the game a goal, but West Coast had its nose in front when it counted.

Thornton was believed to be concussed and was taken to hospital before the game ended to have scans on his neck.

QUARTER BY QUARTER

FIRST QUARTER
The Blues made a perfect start as Jeff Garlett, Bret Thornton and Heath Scotland gave them a three-goal buffer after nine minutes. The hosts' first score - a Mark Le Cras behind - came after 15 minutes, as they struggled to match Carlton's intensity. A goal to David Ellard then extended the margin to 23. Matt Priddis finally booted West Coast's first major early in time-on and his side improved later in the period. Eagles forward Josh Kennedy missed several minutes after an early collision, but returned deep in time-on.
Carlton by 16 points

SECOND QUARTER
West Coast reversed all of the momentum with a dominant quarter, where it kicked eight goals to three. The hosts controlled the stoppages and the cleanliness of their 14 inside 50s helped them take a two goal lead into half-time.
West Coast by 11 points

THIRD QUARTER
Carlton suffered a major blow as Thornton, who was concussed in a heavy collision at the end of the second, had to be subbed off at half-time. The Eagles had several early chances to extend their lead, but Shannon Hurn was the only one to convert. Eddie Betts and Walker then made them pay with consecutive goals. Carlton's Kade Simpson reduced the margin to three. But Kennedy responded soon after with West Coast's second major of the quarter.
West Coast by nine points

FOURTH QUARTER
A massive Darling goal saw the Eagles make a perfect start. But Tuohy provided a much-needed response for the Blues. After Simpson and Setanta O'hAilpin missed big chances to get the visitors within a goal, Darling took advantage. Again the Blues fought. Quick goals to Ellard, Garlett and Walker gave the Blues late hope. But West Coast managed to withstand Carlton's attacks in the final seconds.
West Coast by three points

West Coast       1.3   9.3   11.8     15.11 (101)
Carlton             4.1   7.4   10.5     15.8  (98)

GOALS
West Coast:  Kennedy 3, Nicoski 3, Darling 3, Cox, Priddis, Hurn, Lynch, McGinnity, LeCras
Carlton:  Walker 3, Murphy 2, Ellard 2, Garlett 2, Betts, Thornton, Joseph, Scotland, Simpson, Tuohy

BEST
West Coast:  Cox, S. Selwood, Kerr, Kennedy, Priddis, Nicoski, Glass
Carlton: Robinson, Murphy, Simpson, Ellard, Carrazzo, Walker

INJURIES
West Coast: Nil
Carlton: Bret Thornton (concussion)

SUBSTITUTES
West Coast: Chris Masten replaced by Patrick McGinnity in the fourth quarter
Carlton: Bret Thornton (concussion) replaced by Zach Tuohy at half-time

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Chamberlain, Rosebury, Stevic

Official crowd: 42,803 at Patersons Stadium

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL