CARLTON has held on and produced a stirring 18-point win over Geelong.
On the back of a scintillating middle two quarters, the Blues were then forced to fend off a resilient Cats outfit in the 14.10 (94) to 12.4 (76) victory.
Nick Haynes produced his best performance in Navy Blue to date, while Harry McKay’s second half was central to the Blues registering their third win on the trot.
It was a hot start early, with fumbles and turnovers for both sides on the back of some extreme pressure.
After Geelong kicked the opener, Zac Williams responded in kind for the Blues from outside 50, but was soon subbed out of the game for Cooper Lord due to a calf injury.
Carlton was winning the ball at the source, registering nine more clearances in the first term than its opponent. Sam Walsh continued his exceptional personal form against the Cats, setting up Lachie Fogarty as the Blues registered back-to-back goals to take an early lead.
Nick Haynes held up brilliantly down back in crucial moments early, while it was a strong response from Jack Silvagni who came from the ground early with what appeared to be a hand issue.
Adam Cerra (three clearances, three tackles) was working overtime, but a late free to Patrick Dangerfield saw the Cats draw within a point at the first change.
Carlton’s transition game started to get going as it started the second term off as the better side, with a Harry McKay goal - his first since his return - drawing a spirited response from both his teammates and the 67,658 strong at the MCG.
With Williams off the ground, Fogarty moved into the role on Tom Stewart and continued to do an exemplary role, not only kicking a second goal for himself, but applying three tackles inside 50.
Elijah Hollands soon followed up with the Blues’ third goal from a forward-half intercept, indicating the elite pressure the Blues were bringing to the table for the term.
Geelong was always going to respond, and that they did, but Tom De Koning quickly made amends for a turnover with a goal from a forward stoppage to give the Blues some breathing room at the main break.
Returning for the second half, the Cats continued to press, kicking two goals in quick succession to draw within single digits. But as the Blues had done all day, they rallied themselves.
Nick Haynes continued to stand up brilliantly with 12 marks to three-quarter time, providing brilliant support in the air and at ground level: his intercept ended in a Curnow contested mark and goal (his third for the day) to stem the tide.
Alongside Haynes was Mitch McGovern, who continued in his rich vein of form with an outstanding third quarter. Tallying 10 disposals and five intercepts in the third quarter alone, he was crucial in turning defence into offence, allowing Will White to bob up with his first MCG goal.
There were also pivotal moments in the air for Corey Durdin and Harry McKay, taking contested marks - Durdin’s a second straight hanger over Sam De Koning - and duly converting to ensure the Blues had a handy buffer at the final change.
But when the final term resumed, there were danger signs for the Blues. After thriving at the contest all day, the Blues struggled to contain the Cats in the clearance situation, with the Cats recording 11 of the first 12 clearances of the final term as well as the first three goals to set up a grandstand finish.
Jacob Weitering and Matthew Carroll produced crucial one-on-one wins with holding-the-ball tackles deep in defence, allowing the Blues to settle against an efficient Cats outfit that kicked 7.0 in the second half.
After a big six weeks, it was up to who else but McKay to provide a steadying hand, before George Hewett - on the back of another consistent showing - set sail from behind 50 to put the result beyond doubt, giving the Blues a third straight win.
CARLTON 3.3 8.5 12.8 14.10 (94)
GEELONG 3.2 5.4 8.4 12.4 (76)
GOALS
Carlton: Curnow 3, McKay 3, Fogarty 2, De Koning, Durdin, Hewett, E.Hollands, White, Williams
BESTS
Carlton: Haynes, McGovern, McKay, Walsh, Cripps, Fogarty, De Koning, Hewett
