COLLINGWOOD has seen off an early challenge to defeat Carlton by 28 points in front of a huge crowd at the MCG on Friday night.

The Blues impressed early and held a slender lead at quarter time, but a five-goal second-term burst from the Pies established a lead they did not relinquish on their way to a 15.12 (102) to 11.8 (74) win in front of 88,181 fans. 

The game lived up to its blockbuster billing early with the Blues absorbing some punishment, delivered primarily by Jarryd Blair who booted Collingwood's first two goals, then hitting back hard to edge in front by a point at the first break.

The swift movement that had been a feature of Carlton's game slowed significantly in the second quarter and with the ball camped in Collingwood's attacking half Andrew Krakouer led a charge that saw the Pies establish a 27-point lead at half time.

But the scoreboard blowout that usually follows when the Pies kick their game into a higher gear did not eventuate as the Blues regained their nerve during the break and mustered another challenge.

They booted the first two goals of the third quarter to put some doubt in their opponents' minds, but for all their good work, two lapses resulted in another two goals to Blair, who finished the game with five, that restored the 27-point margin.

Michael Jamison had enjoyed the better of his tussle with Chris Dawes for most of the night, but when the Magpie full-forward slotted his second goal early in the final term it effectively ended the Blues' challenge.

Skipper Chris Judd was outstanding for Carlton, while Heath Scotland was creative all night and Chris Yarran's new incarnation as a running defender bore fruit again.

Ed Curnow's fine start to his AFL career continued, and Bryce Gibbs' played a tremendous defensive role on Collingwood playmaker Scott Pendlebury, limiting his influence on the match.

Collingwood    4.2    9.7    12.8    15.12 (102)
Carlton    4.3    5.4    8.5    11.8 (74)

GOALS
Collingwood: Blair 5, Dawes 3, Krakouer 2, Cloke 2, Jolly, Didak, Ball
Carlton: Garlett 3, Waite 2, Hampson, Simpson, Thornton, Robinson, Gibbs, Betts

BEST
Collingwood: Shaw, Blair, Swan, Sidebottom, Ball, Johnson, Cloke
Carlton: Judd, Scotland, Yarran, Curnow, Gibbs, Garlett

INJURIES
Collingwood: Nil
Carlton: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Collingwood: Alan Toovey replaced by Leon Davis in the fourth quarter.
Carlton: Andrew Walker replaced by Andrew Collins in the third quarter.

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Stevic, Ryan, Meredith

Official crowd: 88,181 at the MCG

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs