CARLTON was impressive for three-quarters but a final quarter burst from Geelong meant the NAB Challenge game ended just out of the Blues' reach, losing by 11 points at Visy Park on Saturday.
The Blues appeared to have the game under control, leading by 25 points midway through the final term before the Cats stormed home to kick the last six goals, sans Jimmy Bartel who sat out the second half with concussion.
Steve Johnson, who had been one of the Cats’ best all day, produced some magic to boot three goals in the final term, and their young forward Mitch Brown contributed two in the last quarter.
After leading by 14 points at the final change, the Blues managed only 1.7 in the final quarter, including some easy set shots in front of goal.
Small forward Jeff Garlett was Carlton's best, crumbing well on the forward line and always looking dangerous to finish with 19 possessions and three goals. Jarrad Waite and Andrew Walker also chimed in with three goals, but all missed opportunities in the last quarter to seal the game for the Blues.
Chris Yarran (22 possessions) was superb again for the first three quarters in his new role off half-back, with his run and creativity setting up many opportunities.
Bryce Gibbs, who has been struggling for form during the pre-season, was busy with 26 possessions and Shaun Hampson performed admirably in the ruck, taking several fine marks.
Lachie Henderson, playing his first senior game after having hip surgery in mid-December, struggled for touch, but showed encouraging signs later on. Andrew Carrazzo, who also resumed after being troubled by knee soreness, also will be better for the run.
Carlton coach Brett Ratten was disappointed with the Blues' finish and said it was a reality check for his team.
Ratten said the Blues' turnovers proved costly. "I think it leaves a little bit of a sour taste in the mouth after an outstanding pre-season, but overall I'm pleased with some of the performances," he said.
"Overall, 85-90 per cent of the game was pretty good, it was the last 10-12 minutes that really swung heavily in the favour.
"We kicked 1.7 and they made us pay. We dominated the first half of that quarter, then it was a complete role reversal in the second half of that last quarter."
The Cats went into the game without captain Cameron Ling, James Podsiadly, Paul Chapman and Shannon Byrnes, while the Blues had Eddie Betts, David Ellard, Marc Murphy, Bret Thornton and Robert Warnock on the sidelines.
GEELONG 2.2 5.4 8.6 14.8 (92)
CARLTON 3.0 6.5 10.8 11.15 (81)
GOALS:
Geelong: Johnson 3, Varcoe 2, Stokes 2, Brown 2, Selwood 2, Guthrie, Hawkins, Christensen.
Carlton: Garlett 3, Waite 3, Walker 3,Yarran, Twomey.
BEST: Geelong: Selwood, Johnson, Varcoe, Stokes, Mackie, Milburn, Duncan.
Carlton: Garlett, Yarran, Hampson, Laidler, Judd, Scotland, Jamison.
INJURED: Geelong: Bartel (concussion). Carlton: nil.
UMPIRES: Margetts, Dalgleish, Schmitt.
CROWD: 8000 (est) at Visy Park.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL
