IT was a hard-fought first half in the Blues’ clash with the Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium today, with Carlton managing a narrow two-point lead by half-time - 4.4 (28) to 4.2 (26).

While the ball has spent most of the first half in enemy territory, with the Bulldogs amassing 26 inside 50s to Carlton’s 19, the Blues have managed to convert well on opportunities.

The evergreen Kade Simpson was a standout Blue in the opening half, amassing six contested possessions, three tackles, a match-high 19 disposals and a major to top it all off.  

FIRST QUARTER

It was a tightly fought first quarter, with Carlton leading the Bulldogs by one point at the first break.

First-year players Paddy Dow and Lochie O’Brien led the way in the midfield. Dow amassed two tackles, three contested possessions and five disposals, while O’Brien had three marks and seven disposals at 100 percent efficiency.

Exciting debutant Tom De Koning gave spectators a glimpse of the future after taking a towering pack mark which led to the first major of the match by Charlie Curnow.

A vintage Kade Simpson goal on the run gave the Carlton fanbase plenty to cheer about as the Blues pushed themselves back into the lead before the first break.

The score at quarter-time was Carlton 2.2 (14) to the Bulldogs 2.1 (13).

SECOND QUARTER

The second term was again neck-and-neck, with neither team managing to break away with a solid lead.

Carlton fans were treated to more of the Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow show, after McKay stole the ball from the Bulldog’s defence and passed to Curnow who managed to put through the first goal of the quarter while tight-roping the boundary from 50m out.

The goal was possible thanks to a play between Ed Curnow and Dale Thomas, who seized control of the ball in the midfield

De Koning (‘The King’) kicked his first AFL goal to bring the Blues back into the lead before half-time.

If the Blues bring the same level of synergy and attacking flair from the first half into the second, the Bulldogs will be presented a tough case to answer.