There were plenty of standouts for the Blues in their 15-point win over Collingwood at the MCG, but whose stats had the biggest say on the result?
Carlton Media picks its top-five most influential player stats from Round 7:
Patrick Cripps
Game-high 19 contested possessions
The Blues’ star inclusion monstered the Magpies in the stoppages, winning a game-high 19 contested possessions – five more than next best Ed Curnow and Scott Pendlebury. The 21-year-old is ranked second in the league behind Fremantle’s Lachie Neale for contested possessions per game (16.5), and remains the league leader for clearances per game (8.8).
Ed Curnow
Career-high 13 tackles
Ed Curnow didn’t lower his colours in his duel with Adam Treloar, doubling the Magpies star for clearances but most impressively recording a career-high 13 tackles. His pressure and defensive work were enormous, while he still managed to gather 24 possessions in a well-rounded performance.
Levi Casboult
Career-high seven contested marks
Levi Casboult produced arguably his best performance for Carlton, taking a career-high seven contested marks and booting three majors – his last one sealing the victory in a high-pressure moment. Casboult’s five marks inside 50 equalled Collingwood’s total marks inside 50, indicating just how dominant he was.
Bryce Gibbs
Three-goal third quarter
Bryce Gibbs owned the ‘premiership quarter’, booting three goals in the third term to help the Blues get the jump on the Pies. It’s the third week in a row where Gibbs has delivered in front of goal at crucial stages, taking his season tally to eight majors.
GIBBS AGAIN!!! And what a handpass from @patrickcripps to set him up!! COLL 8.7.55 CARL 12.7.79 #AFLPiesBlues #BoundByBlue
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) May 7, 2016
Sam Docherty
Team-high eight intercepts
Sam Docherty’s elite ability to read the play continues to frustrate the opposition. Along with fellow half-back Kade Simpson, he acted as a shield to Carlton’s last line of defence, with his team-high eight intercepts restricting Collingwood’s amount and quality of inside-50 entries.