A second-quarter blitz has seen Carlton defeat Sydney by 15 points in a pulsating Friday night counter at Marvel Stadium.
The Blues raced out to a 38-point lead at half-time after slamming on nine goals to three in a blistering second term.
It was a game of two halves as the Swans hit back to close the margin to eight points and ensure a nervous finish for Blues fans. A late goal from Zac Fisher sealed the win to help Carlton retain their top four status.
But it was the second quarter where the game was won for Michael Voss’ side. They dominated inside 50s (33-19), contested possessions (88-59) and uncontested possessions (126-76) in the first half to blow the Swans away.
“They’re irresistible at the moment,” Dermott Brereton told AFL Nation during the second quarter.
“They (Sydney) are getting mauled at the stoppage.
“Every time Sydney gets their hands on it you can see them seizing up under pressure thinking, ‘What direction is the tackle coming from? Where is the pressure coming from?’ As soon as they think that they’re gobbled up.
“Carlton fans, you’ve got to believe now.”
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Charlie Curnow spearheaded Carlton to victory with a superb six-goal haul – with five of them coming in a scintillating first-half display.
Curnow, who missed almost two years through injury, is now leading the Coleman Medal with 33 goals in 10 games.
“He is playing a game and a half,” Brereton said.
“When the one-on-ones came, no one was big enough to take on and beat Charlie Curnow.
“If you add Big Harry (McKay) they’ve got something extraordinary up there.”
Check out this Charlie Curnow goal from outside 50!#AFLDeadly | #AFLBluesSwans pic.twitter.com/0VostDOYMd
— AFL (@AFL) May 20, 2022
Sydney veteran Josh Kennedy looks set to come under MRO scrutiny for collecting Carlton’s Sam Docherty high in a marking contest late in the second quarter.
Kennedy injured his hamstring in the collision after landing awkwardly. He was immediately subbed out of the game and replaced by Braeden Campbell.
Tempers flared between the two clubs as Docherty came from the ground under the blood rule.
Josh Kennedy left the field after this clash with Sam Docherty late in the second term. #AFLDeadly | #AFLBluesSwans pic.twitter.com/yIKywsb4Sx
— AFL (@AFL) May 20, 2022
Next up for Carlton (8-2) is a Sunday afternoon blockbuster against Collingwood at the MCG, while Sydney (6-4) hosts Richmond at the SCG next Friday night.
FULL SCORE
Carlton: 3.5, 12.8, 14.9, 15.12 (102)
Sydney: 4.0, 7.0, 12.4, 13.9 (87)
GOALS
Carlton: Curnow 6, Durdin 2, Fisher 2, Cripps, Kennedy, Motlop, De Koning, Owies
Sydney: McDonald 3, Papley 3, Hayward 2, Franklin 2, Parker, McInerney, Gulden
BEST
Carlton: Curnow, Walsh, Hewett, Weitering, Docherty, Kennedy, De Koning
Sydney: Parker, Mills, Blakey, Gulden, McDonald
INJURIES
Carlton: nil
Sydney: Kennedy (hamstring)