Carlton has put its disappointing end to 2024 behind it with an impressive win over the GIANTS in their final tune-up ahead of the season.
The Blues made short work of last year's semi-finalists, dominating from start to finish in an 18.16 (124) to 9.12 (66) mauling at Manuka Oval in Canberra on Friday night.
Coach Michael Voss' only concern will be the fitness of veteran Blues defender Mitch McGovern, who limped from the field after tweaking his ankle taking a mark in the second quarter.
McGovern was one of the standouts before his early exit, kicking one of Carlton's five goals and rising clear above GIANTS rookie Oliver Hannaford for an early mark of the season contender in a dominant 35-2 opening quarter.
Key forward Harry McKay was also put on ice later in the contest, but his treatment was most likely only precautionary.
McKay kicked two goals and was among a handful of Carlton players to impress.
Full forward Brodie Kemp finished with three goals, his third following an acrobatic mark over Jack Buckley in the final minutes, while Orazio Fantasia had two.
With his side having prevailed in just one of their final six matches to round out last season, Voss will have been encouraged to see the Blues have the edge over their opponents in the ball movement, physicality and kick accuracy departments.
The GIANTS grew into the game after their horrendous start but were always second best.
Their leading goalkicker from last season, Jesse Hogan, snared three majors, while the diminutive Darcy Jones bagged two, but stars Toby Greene and Stephen Coniglio were quiet.
Carlton's Tom De Koning dominated in the ruck, finding his teammates in 12 out of 20 hitouts, compared to 4 in 24 attempts by Giants big man Lachlan Keeffe.
In another positive for the Blues, Jack Silvagni got through his first game since his ACL injury, with the forward-turned-defender to be a handy addition for Voss following his lengthy layoff.
New Faces
A trio of untried youngsters featured in the GIANTS' squad, with 2024 pick No.18 Oliver Hannaford and 2023 first-round pick James Leake featuring strongly, while first-year GIANT Cody Angove made the most of his chances in the second half.
Opening Round Chance
Star GIANTSrecruit Jake Stringer is expected to feature in the club's Opening Round clash with Collingwood despite missing both pre-season hitouts due to illness. Untried youngsters Cody Angove, Oliver Hannaford and James Leake pushed their case for an early-season debut with a strong showing, with recent first-round draft picks Cody Angove and Oliver Hannaford coming on in second half and James Leake prominent throughout. Phoenix Gothard is another in line for an Opening Round call-up after an impressive pre-season, despite missing with an ankle injury.
Medical Room
Jake Stringer (illness) didn't play but is expected to be available to face Collingwood in Opening Round, Callum Brown (hamstring) is touch-and-go, while Tom Green (calf) is not expected to feature until after the GIANTS' round two bye.
GIANTS 0.2 4.6 6.9 9.12 (66)
CARLTON 5.5 8.7 12.12 18.16 (124)
GOALS:
GIANTS: Hogan 3, Jones 2, Callaghan, Ward, Bedford, Cadman
Carlton: Kemp 3, Fantasia 2, McKay 2, Cerra, Williams, McGovern, Saad, Cottrell, Fogarty, Hollands, Docherty, Evans, Hewett, Motlop
BEST:
GIANTS: Callaghan, Whitfield, Ash, Jones, Leake
Carlton: Camporeale, De Koning, Haynes, Hewett, Cripps, O.Hollands
INJURIES:
GIANTS: Nil
Carlton: McGovern (ankle)
