CARLTON recorded its opening win of the 2021 season on Sunday, registering a 45-point victory over Fremantle. 

It was a commanding performance from the Blues, who dominated some key statistical categories on their way to the seven-goal triumph. 

So, how did it all happen?

Winning the contest

The noise coming out of IKON Park was consistent last weekend: it was all about dialling in and winning the ball at the source.

Looking at the sheer numbers, it’s no surprise why it was such a focus for David Teague’s side.

Since the Senior Coach took the reins in the middle of 2019, the Blues have won 14 games. In 12 of those (including the weekend), the Blues have won the contested possession count.

Similarly, on the last 11 occasions they haven’t got the four points, they haven’t won the contested possession count.

It’s no surprise that it was Patrick Cripps leading from the front in that regard, with his 18 contested possessions the best of any Blue on the weekend.

Owning the outside

It wasn’t just in the contest where the Blues excelled on Sunday.

Carlton’s domination of the ball and their ability to advance the ball up the ground with every possession was evident, with the Blues posting an uncontested possession differential of +94.

In fact, Carlton’s tally of 281 uncontested possessions was its equal-most in a game since 2010 (Round 4 v Adelaide).

No half measures

In previous weeks, Senior Coach David Teague lamented the Blues’ inability to “play their way”: effectively, pinning the ball in their own forward half.

The fact that Carlton was able to win the ball back, lock it in and generate repeat entries would’ve pleased Teague to no end.

In Round 3, the Blues ranked second for tackles inside 50 (13), third for time in forward half (56 per cent) and third for intercepts (79).

That was never more evident in the second quarter, with the Blues generating 23 inside 50s to eight. In fact, the Dockers couldn’t enter their own 50 until halfway in the term.

A big part of that was the exceptional Liam Jones, whose 16 intercept possessions was the equal-most of anyone on the weekend.

Spreading the load

For the first time in a year, the Blues had each of the top-five ball-winners on the ground in Sunday’s win.

Sam Walsh was destined to end the day as the most prolific on Marvel Stadium, collecting 12 disposals (including two goal assists) in the first quarter on his way to 37 for the evening.

He was one of a number of Blues to post career-best disposals numbers during the game, with Lachie Fogarty (25) and Liam Jones (20) also having their most possessions in a match.

Half of Carlton’s players who took to the field on Sunday had 20 or more disposals.

The forward craft

Carlton’s half-forward mix received a facelift over the off-season, and there was even more intrigue with how it would function with Jack Martin and Zac Fisher on the sidelines.

The impact of Fogarty since his inclusion in the off-season has been evident, while the shift from midfield to forward line for Marc Murphy has also had its benefit.

Alongside Michael Gibbons, the trio all individually rank as elite in the competition for score involvements in their position (general forwards).

After his change in position in the summer, just under half of Murphy’s disposals (19 of 42) have resulted in scores this season.