Carlton’s AFL season is back on track after the Blues beat Geelong by 18 points in a pulsating clash at the MCG.
The Blues led at every change and held off the Cats late to win 14.10 (94) to 12.4 (76) on Sunday.
It is their biggest scalp so far this season and with three wins in a row, their 0-4 start is now a bad memory.
Carlton captain Patrick Cripps and fellow midfielders Sam Walsh and George Hewett were excellent, while key forwards Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay kicked three goals apiece.
Geelong half-back Lawson Humphries at times looked like he was single handedly keeping his side in the game. Cats key forward Jeremy Cameron kicked four goals.
Zac Williams scored Carlton’s first goal with a freakish effort from an acute angle. While it appeared he was merely trying to centre the ball, somehow it went through.
But Williams was soon out of the game with a calf muscle problem, continuing his frustrating run of injuries.
Since starting at the Blues four years ago, he has only managed a maximum of 11 successive games.
With Cripps and Walsh prolific and Hewett also excellent in the midfield, the Blues had a one-point lead at quarter time and broke clear in the second term.
They kicked five goals to two and led by 21 points at the main break.
Geelong’s defensive general Tom Stewart hurt his knee again early, but stayed on the field and tried to run it out.
With Nick Haynes playing his best football since joining Carlton this season from GWS, the Blues extended their lead to a game-high 28 points at the last change and looked home.
But Carlton have had a bad habit so far this season of dropping away late on.
Sure enough, Geelong kicked the first three goals of the last term in eight minutes.
When Patrick Dangerfield’s bullocking work at ground level set up Bailey Smith for his first goal of the game, the Cats were within 10 points.
After shanking a shot at goal, McKay kicked his third to give the Blues crucial breathing space.
Haynes injured his shoulder, but was able to stay on the ground and took an excellent mark as the Cats kept pressing.
Hewett’s booming goal from 50m at 24 minutes sealed an impressive win.
