A PERFECT response at the perfect time.

It was Carlton's first win on Geelong's home deck since 1996, and it was done in very stylish fashion with the most gripping of finishes.

So, how did it all happen?

How about that fast start?

All the commentary coming out of Round 2 was about Carlton’s poor starts.

For the entire week, Senior Coach David Teague maintained that the Blues didn’t need to completely change what they had been doing: rather, they had to bring their strengths for longer.

That was exactly what happened on Saturday night, particularly in the first half.

Carlton dominated the ball, having 30 more marks than Geelong and operating at 75 per cent disposal efficiency in the opening two quarters.

Their efficient ball use was paramount in the Blues’ highest scoring first half in four years, which also came against the Cats (Round 10, 2016).

The brick wall

They’ve been the ever presents in Carlton’s back-line over the last two and a half seasons, and Jacob Weitering and Liam Jones seem to be getting better by the week.

Between the two of them, Carlton’s defensive duo faced 13 one-on-one contests, winning or breaking even in 13 of them.

Weitering’s 2020 season claimed another scalp in the form of Tom Hawkins, whose third-quarter goal was the first Weitering had directly conceded since Round 21 of last season.

Meanwhile, Jones produced one of the best five-disposal performances you could see, barely letting anything past him with 13 spoils.

At the other end…

The big guys in attack are starting to click.

Carlton’s tall-forward prowess was on full display in the opening two quarters, with Levi Casboult, Mitch McGovern and Harry McKay kicking five goals between them.

Casboult was the pick of the bunch with five contested marks to go with his two goals, while there were a few raised eyebrows when the stats sheet read that McGovern had only five disposals.

All five disposals led to Carlton scores, including two majors himself.

In truth, the Blues’ forward set-up has functioned well so far in 2020 despite previous results: Carlton currently ranks second in the competition for average marks inside 50.

Oh captains my captains

After a difficult week, Carlton needed its leaders to stand up.

Patrick Cripps and Sam Docherty did exactly that.

Let’s start with Cripps: the midfield bull produced another eye-catching display against one of the competition’s best midfield groups. With 24 disposals (17 contested), 12 clearances and two goals, he was at his dominant best.

Then, there’s Docherty, who has been extremely quick to remind Carlton supporters why they missed him so much for two seasons.

The co-captain hasn’t missed a beat in his return, recording 14 rebound 50s from his 23 disposals: he hasn’t dropped below that number since his return.

Of course, Saturday night’s win was the first AFL win for Carlton with co-captains, following on from the AFLW side’s win in Round 1 this year.

Breaking new Blue ground

The first win with co-captains wasn’t the only first on Saturday night.

The Round 3 victory at Kardinia Park was Carlton’s first at the venue since the final round of 1996: and these two stats from resident Twitter guru Sir Swamp Thing puts it all in perspective.

Eight Blues who played - Cuningham, McKay, Petrevski-Seton, Setterfield, Silvagni, Walsh, Weitering and Williamson - hadn’t been born the last time the Blues left Geelong victorious.

And Carlton did it in style, not trailing on the scoreboard at any point in the game: the first visiting team at Kardinia Park to do that in 17 years.

Making his Marc

Heading into last night, Carlton had won just three of its past 30 games without Matthew Kreuzer since 2015.

Ikon Park’s newest cult hero is doing everything he can to change that.

For the second straight week, Pittonet bashed and crashed his way through four quarters in an impressive showing in the ruck.

His 15 hitouts to advantage was the equal-most of anyone in a single game this season: along with Eddie Betts and Jack Martin, it was a great night for Carlton’s recruits.