A CENTURY-LONG defensive record, a well-travelled Blue and the incredible cumulative numbers after 12 rounds all came out of Friday night's win.

So, how did it all happen?

Once in 101 years

It’s been a settled defensive unit for the Blues in the last two months, with no changes to the back seven since Round 3.

That solidity and consistency is paying off, with a trio of stats summing up Carlton’s defensive performance on the weekend.

Gold Coast’s tally of 27 was the equal-lowest score Carlton has conceded since 1984, while it was the first time the Blues have kept the opposition scoreless in the opening quarter in 23 years.

However, the most impressive stat is Carlton’s points conceded over the last fortnight. The Blues have conceded 63 points in the last fortnight: the Club’s best defensive effort over two weeks since 1919.

The everywhere man

It wouldn’t be a stats piece without some rolled gold from resident Twitter stats expert, SirSwampThing.

And this one regards the hero of Optus Stadium, Jack Newnes.

While Newnes was on cloud nine last week, the Virgin Australia flight to the Top End meant that Newnes had completed the set.

The former Saints has now played in all eight Australian states and territories for premiership points, as well as games in New Zealand and China.

The victory was Carlton's first at TIO Stadium and the 28th venue overall: the Blues are still looking for wins at 'active' stadiums including Adelaide Oval, Giants Stadium and Tasmania's York Park.

Playing their way

A common theme coming out of David Teague’s press conferences in 2020 is stressing the need for the Blues to play their way.

They categorically did that on Friday night, with the numbers there for all to see.

In regards to the 2020 season, Carlton recorded the fifth biggest disposal differential (+94), the sixth biggest uncontested possession differential (+70) and the eighth biggest inside 50 differential (+28).

However, arguably the biggest positive was Carlton’s work in the contest: their contested possession differential of +41 was the equal-highest of any team this year.

Carlton is averaging 129 contested possessions in its six wins so far this year — it drops to 112.8 in losses.

WWW

Will, ‘Willo’ and Walsh.

All three youngsters - and they are only youngsters - have been building steadily in season 2020.

Everyone in the football world knows how prolific Sam Walsh is, and a move to the wing hasn’t slowed him down: Champion Data rates him elite for contested possessions and clearances in his position.

His good mate Will Setterfield has continued to go from strength to strength, producing another impressive showing on the weekend. His consistency sees him No.1 for tackles, No.3 for clearances and No.4 for contested possessions at Carlton since the move to the hub.

Then there’s Tom Williamson, who essentially lost two years of football after a troublesome back injury. With opposition small forwards often proving a thorn in Carlton’s side in recent seasons, the hard-checking Williamson has conceded just eight goals in his 10 senior games.

Some Blue balance

Whether it be close wins or narrow losses, Carlton has consistently been in every single game this season.

The numbers sum it all up.

On face value, the Blues have won six games and lost six games from 12 in total: but the stats extend far beyond that.

The Blues currently have a percentage of 100 per cent, having scored and conceded 756 points in 2020. The inaccuracy in front of goal on the weekend also means the Blues have kicked 108 goals and 108 behinds.

They’ve also won a game after the siren (Round 12), lost one after the siren (Round 7), won by a solitary point (Round 4), lost by a solitary point (Round 2), have won two games in a row twice and lost two games in a row twice.