A COMPREHENSIVE win. 

Carlton secured its first win of the campaign in emphatic fashion, claiming a 71-point victory over West Coast in Gather Round.

The Blues led from start to finish and finished strongly, producing their biggest score of the season in the 17.19 (121) to 6.14 (50) win.

George Hewett and Sam Walsh were instrumental through the middle, gathering 39 and 37 disposals respectively. Hewett led the way with 14 score involvements, while Walsh added 13 of his own and matched a career-best with three goals. 

Corey Durdin was electric up forward, finishing with a career-high four majors, while youngsters Cooper Lord and Will White both celebrated their first AFL goals.

The Blues dominated at the coalface, winning the clearance count 40-18, with Hewett and Adam Cerra each collecting eight clearances. 

Captain Patrick Cripps was influential all afternoon, finishing with 23 disposals, 13 score involvements and three goals after a late move forward, while Jacob Weitering anchored the defence with 11 intercept possessions.

It was a term of two halves early, with the Blues unable to capitalise on their forward entries, registering six behinds in the opening term. The Eagles were slick on the counter, registering their first goal from a rebound 50.

Mitch McGovern and Jack Silvagni were strong behind the ball, using their intercepting ability to steady the defence. After a genuine team effort, Charlie Curnow got Carlton on the board.

All three of the Blues’ first-quarter goals came from stoppage, with Corey Durdin - in his first game of the season - chipping in with back-to-back majors. Harry McKay was unfortunately subbed out at quarter time after a head knock, leading to Cooper Lord entering the game.

The sun was beating down at Adelaide Oval, with both teams battling the heat as the game flowed end to end. In his AFL debut, Matt Carroll impressed with his composure, showcasing sharp intercept marking and precise kicking. He was well supported by a number of leaders in defence, with Weitering (six intercepts to half time), Jack Silvagni and Nick Haynes standing up under West Coast pressure.

Lord got on the board with a crafty goal in the second term, reacting quickly to a free kick paid to Adam Cerra. Sam Walsh then finished the term in style, booting back-to-back goals to round out a dominant quarter for the Blues, who took a 29-point lead at half time.

Liam Ryan came out firing after the main break, proving a real threat for the Blues with a goal in the opening seconds of the third quarter. He had three more shots on goal for the term, but fortunately for Carlton, he couldn’t make them count.

Once the Eagles’ early surge eased, the Blues took control of the territory battle, locking the ball inside their forward half. Patrick Cripps was rewarded for his persistence, slotting his first after missing his previous two efforts, while Lachie Fogarty added his name to the scoreboard soon after.

Playing on the wing, Matthew Cottrell worked incredibly hard to provide an outlet, while Silvagni continued to stand tall down back, keeping the Eagles in check.

Durdin capped off the quarter with a brilliant boundary-line finish - his third for the day - to give his side a game-high lead heading into the final change.

The final term turned into a grind as the taxing conditions began to wear on both sides, with fatigue clearly setting in. The quarter was marred by an injury to Brodie Kemp, just as tensions started to boil over between the teams.

Despite the slower pace, Carlton finished with a late burst, with goals from Durdin, Sam Docherty, Mitch McGovern, and Cripps pushing the margin out. The highlight of the term came when White was rewarded for his hard work, slotting his first career AFL goal in a term where he also produced two direct goal assists for his captain.

In a game which was played under a fast tempo, the Blues dominated proceedings with 140 more disposals (+59 contested possessions), 38 more inside 50s and 49 more marks, with their ball winners all producing big afternoons.

The relief was evident for the Blues as the final siren rang, securing the four points away from home for their first win of the 2025 season. 

CARLTON            3.6     7.11     11.15       17.19 (121)
WEST COAST      1.3     3.6       4.12       6.14 (50)

GOALS
Carlton: Durdin 4, Cripps 3, Walsh 3, Curnow 2, Docherty, Fogarty, Lord, McGovern, White

BESTS
Carlton: Walsh, Hewett, Durdin, McGovern, Cripps, Weitering, Saad, Cottrell