FLYING back to Melbourne with a crucial four points.

The Blues will be hopping on the plane with a smile on their faces, after delivering an ultimate team win over the Eagles at Optus Stadium.

Working with a new look forward-line, defender-turned-forward Brodie Kemp delivered a career-high four goals, while debutant Ashton Moir and second-gamer Jaxon Binns both contributed to the scoreboard.

Patrick Cripps and George Hewett were dominant in the middle, both gathering 35 disposals in standout performances. 

Quarter one

The Blues’ positional moves were there for all to see in the early going, with Brodie Kemp lining up in the forward line alongside Matthew Kennedy while Ollie Hollands moved to half-back following the inclusion of Jaxon Binns. Without Carlton’s typical tall targets, Kemp had an early win against Jeremy McGovern but couldn’t convert from the set shot, as the Blues dominated forward territory early but weren’t able to capitalise on their chances. Marc Pittonet set the tone early with three of the first seven clearances of the game, but the Eagles got the better of the early arm wrestle with the first goal of the day. Despite Jake Waterman recording the opening two majors of the game, the Blues would’ve been heartened by their physicality and fight around the ball, winning contested possessions and generating forward entries in the opening term. Eventually, persistence paid as the Blues embraced the chaos at ground level, with quasi-key forwards Kennedy and then Kemp both hitting the scoreboard to give the Blues a narrow lead at the first change. Patrick Cripps loomed large with 11 disposals, while George Hewett (nine), Elijah Hollands (eight) and Sam Walsh (seven) were all involved.

Quarter two

After ending the first quarter with a major, Kemp continued his good record in front of goal at Optus Stadium, kicking his fourth career goal — three of which have came at the venue. Carlton’s pressure game from the outset was on in the second term, with the Blues’ midfield mix getting to work and getting their rewards accordingly. Hewett was a central figure, taking his half-time tally to 20 disposals, with a handball out of traffic to Kennedy ensuring that the Blues kept the scoreboard ticking over. The Blues’ leaders were doing exactly that, with Jacob Weitering central to the team keeping the Eagles scoreless — he was well supported by youngster Lachie Cowan and inclusion Lewis Young, with a series of aerial contests going their way. Pressure was the name of the game for the Blues in the second term, and few lived that better than Corey Durdin, who had 12 disposals in the quarter alone - including a goal - as the Blues went hunting in packs. It wasn’t all smooth sailing, with the Eagles getting repeat entries late, but the Blues were able to hold firm to take a 31-point lead into the main break.

Quarter three

In their final home game of the year and in Andrew Gaff’s last game, the Eagles came out for the third quarter with renewed vigour, putting the Blues on the back foot. Carlton was unable to get its hand on the ball in the early going, with West Coast having the first 13 uncontested possessions of the game, but on the back of clearance dominance the Blues were able to kickstart their ball movement once more. It was a transition move which re-established the Blues ascendancy, ending via the boot of Zac Williams. From there, Carlton continued its run, with its work from clearance once again a feature. Four of the Blues’ five goals for the term came from clearance, with their pressure at the source a key instigator. In his second game, Jaxon Binns ticked along with seven disposals for the term while Kemp and Owies both took their tallies to three majors for the game as the Blues extended their lead to 55 points. After such an impressive second term, the dampener for the Blues was that the dangerous Durdin was subbed out due to a shoulder injury.

Quarter four

With Durdin subbed out, debutant Ashton Moir joined the impressive Cooper Lord in the game, and the young Blue made an instant impact with a mark on centre wing. With the game beyond the Eagles’ reach on the scoreboard come the final term, the Blues didn’t relent around the ball, with Cripps, Hewett and Pittonet continuing to lead the way. The Blues dominated time in possession throughout the course of the day, having 89 more disposals than the Eagles yet still breaking even with 73 tackles for the evening. The best moments of the day came in the final 10 minutes for the Blues, firstly with Binns receiving a handball from Jack Carroll and converting from just inside 50 for his first goal in the AFL. Just moments later, Moir backed it up beautifully, producing a volley with his back to goal to mark an outstanding maiden goal — and a super return to winning form the Blues.
 
WEST COAST     2.2     2.2     3.5           4.10 (34)
CARLTON             2.4     6.9     11.12        14.15 (99)
 
GOALS
Carlton: Kemp 4, Owies 3, Kennedy 2, Binns, Durdin, Moir, Motlop, Williams
 
BEST
Carlton: Cripps, Weitering, Hewett, Pittonet, Kemp, O.Hollands, Newman