A BRAVE third-term fightback by Carlton wasn't enough against St Kilda at the Telstra Dome on Friday night, with the Blues falling to a 43-point defeat.
The Blues lost 11.16 (82) to 18.17 (125), after kicking five goals in 11 minutes to close within four points at the 23-minute mark of the third term.
Brendan Fevola was a star up-forward for Carlton with six goals. Skipper Lance Whitnall also did his bit for the cause in attack with three majors.
The Saints took control of the game in the final quarter, kicking five goals to the Blues' one to end any hopes of victory.
Fevola and Whitnall had two goals each to half-time, with inaccuracy costing the white-clad Blues.
However Fev was on fire in the third quarter and just when it looked like the Saints would blow away the Blues, Carlton fought back in an exciting term that saw a combined 11 goals kicked.
The Saints took a 15-point lead into the last quarter, having held a 21-point break at half-time. Fraser Gehrig challenged Fevola in a shootout that saw the spearheads finish with six goals each.
Despite the gallant fightback, the Blues, who wore their white clash guernsey for the first time, will rue missed opportunities early that left them chasing the Saints all night.
ST KILDA: 4.3, 8.8, 13.11, 18.17 (125)
CARLTON: 2.5, 4.11, 10.14, 11.16 (82)
Goals: St Kilda: Gehrig 6, Milne 3, Gilbert 2, Gram 2, Riewoldt, Dal Santo, Koschitzke, Fiora, Harvey. Carlton: Fevola 6, Whitnall 3, Walker, Betts.
Best: St Kilda: Dal Santo, Gehrig, Ball, Harvey, Gwilt, Gram, Montagna. Carlton: Fevola, Whitnall, Waite, Scotland, Walker.
Injuries: Nil
Reports: Carlton: Nil. St Kilda: S Baker (reported by umpire M Head for allegedly striking M Murphy in the fourth quarter).
Umpires: Rosebury, Allen, JefferyOfficial crowd: 45,513 at Telstra Dome
