Carlton has overcome a spirited challenge from GIANTS to seal a 10-point triumph at GIANTS Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
While Charlie Curnow kicked the last major of the match with fewer than three minutes remaining to secure the win, it was captain Patrick Cripps who stood up when it mattered, amassing a career-high 42 disposals in the 9.20 (74) to 9.10 (64) win.
The Blues were almost made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal, especially after they only managed five behinds from 15 inside-50s in the third term to leave the door open for the GIANTS.
The GIANTS kicked three consecutive goals either side of the last change to claim the lead until the Blues were awarded a controversial free kick in the goal square when Stephen Coniglio disputed a decision.
Jesse Motlop made the most of the umpire's contentious call to put the Blues back in front at the 15-minute mark as the teams battled it out between the arcs until Curnow's final intervention.
Cripps and GIANTS young gun Tom Green went head-to-head for much of the contest in an enthralling duel between the on-ball master and apprentice.
Cripps was superb for the Blues with game-highs for disposals (42), clearances (13) and score involvements (11), while Green all but matched him around the ball with 34 touches and seven clearances.
Matthew Owies slotted two of the Blues' early majors but was subbed out in the second term due to a hamstring injury, while Curnow also finished with two.
The GIANTS were boosted by the return of Josh Kelly (30 disposals, one goal) and Lachie Whitfield (27) from concussion, while Coniglio (29) will be disappointed by the late call against him but continued his superb start to the season.
On a tough day for tall forwards in blustery conditions, the GIANTS' Jake Riccardi kicked his first two goals of the season, while Jesse Hogan also booted two.
Opening Term Shootout
It was an old-fashioned shootout in the opening term as both sides traded blows in a goal-for-goal rhythm throughout the quarter. GIANTS spearhead Jesse Hogan and Blues forward Matt Owies both snagged two majors as the sides combined for nine goals in an entertaining opening term. Owies' scintillating start was abruptly ended when he was subbed out with a hamstring injury early in the second term.
Kelly dines out on Blues, again...
After sitting out last week's game with concussion, the returning Josh Kelly continued the rich vein of form that he has experienced against Carlton in recent years. The midfielder has averaged 33.2 disposals and 6.4 clearances in his last five games against the Blues, and today's outing was equally as impressive. Kelly was one of the GIANTS' best, finishing with 30 disposals, nine tackles and six clearances.
GIANTS 5.3 6.5 7.9 9.10 (64)
CARLTON 4.6 7.11 7.16 9.20 (74)
GOALS
GIANTS: Riccardi 2, Hogan 2, Daniels 2, Ward, Kelly, Greene
Carlton: Owies 2, Motlop 2, Curnow 2, Durdin, Docherty, Silvagni
BEST
GIANTS: Kelly, Green, Riccardi, Ward, Ash
Carlton: Cripps, Docherty, Newman, Saad, Cerra
INJURIES
GIANTS: Nil
Carlton: Matt Owies (hamstring)
SUBSTITUTES
GIANTS: Conor Stone (replaced Cooper Hamilton in the third quarter)
Carlton: Lochie O’Brien (replaced Matt Owies in the second quarter)
