IN FRONT of a Navy Blue crowd of 31,765, Carlton gave its supporters something to shout about with its fifth win of the season.
So, how did it all happen?
The Great Wall
Across the opening six weeks of the season, arguably the most dependable feature of the Navy Blue line-up was the partnership of Liam Jones and Jacob Weitering.
Reunited once again yesterday, the defensive duo were - quite simply - brilliant.
With 14 intercepts (his second-most ever) from his 19 disposals, it was a standout performance from Jones, who is back to his best after having his season interrupted by a nasty concussion.
His partner-in-crime was just as impressive on his return from a broken nose: Weitering collected a team-high seven rebound 50s to go with his 19 disposals.
The other tall timber
Stationed in defensive 50, Jones and Weitering both recorded double digits in the marks column.
At the other end of the ground, key forwards Levi Casboult and Harry McKay achieved the same feat.
The attacking duo continued to provide an outlet for Carlton’s midfielders, with McKay in particular enjoying a promising afternoon.
Despite some inaccuracy in front of goal, McKay has already recorded a career-best season in terms of scoreboard impact: he has 22 goals with still a month to play this season.
It's officially a career-best year for Big H - that was his 22nd goal of the season, beating last year's tally. #BoundByBlue #AFLBluesSuns pic.twitter.com/0a1t4OuUML
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) July 20, 2019
The barometer
One of the unheralded moves in recent weeks has been the transition of Sam Petrevski-Seton to half back.
The potential of Petrevski-Seton in the middle was evident back in Round 5, when he collected 35 disposals and a goal in the win over the Western Bulldogs.
However, it was his work in the backline which was most impressive from the Halls Creek Cowboy: to go with his 22 disposals was his trademark evasion and class.
The 21-year-old has proven to be something of a barometer for the Blues this year: he has averaged 24 disposals in the five wins this season, while averaging 18 disposals in losses.
Strength in numbers
For the first time in six years, half of Carlton’s side hit the scoreboard.
Spearheaded by Matthew Kennedy’s four goals, the Blues recorded 11 individual goalkickers against the Suns, last achieving the feat in Round 10, 2013.
More sausages than a Bunnings on a Sunday morning. #BoundByBlue
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) July 20, 2019
Despite having less inside 50s than Gold Coast, Carlton presented a more efficient unit in attack, recording a shot on goal from 46 per cent of its forward entries compared to its opponent’s 32 per cent.
Ed’s elite company
Since returning to an inside midfield role back in Round 12, Ed Curnow has been among the elite clearance players in the competition.
That’s not an opinion — it’s fact.
Over the last six games, Curnow sits third in the competition for total clearances with 49. Only Lachie Neale and Clayton Oliver (51 each) have recorded more than the 29-year-old.
With another six clearances among his 32 disposals yesterday, the veteran keeps ticking along and could be on track to surpass his equal-third placing in the John Nicholls Medal from 2018.