The Blues have announced their arrival as genuine premiership contenders with a scintillating 31-point win over Fremantle on Saturday afternoon.
Despite missing half-a-dozen tall defenders, Carlton remarkably kept Fremantle to just 50 points, their third-lowest tally of the season.
They did it by simply dominating clearances (+13) and then inside 50s (+24), their midfield getting to work by protecting the undersized defence.
The Dockers went at their season average for efficiency inside 50, but simply had no supply.
“On the strength of what we’ve just seen, Carlton should be chief among the contenders,” SEN’s Gerard Whateley told AFL Nation.
Usual suspects Sam Walsh (40 disposals, 543 metres gained) and Charlie Curnow (four goals) got the job done for the Blues as Michael Voss’s side produced a win that could change the narrative of their season.
In what was a low-scoring affair for much of the contest, Fremantle took the lead to the first break despite the even nature of the game. However, the switch was flipped in the second term when Voss’ troops went to work.
Two goals to Charlie Curnow as well as majors to Jack Newnes, Lochie O’Brien and Matthew Cottrell got Carlton on a role, taking plenty of risks to push the ball forward and steal the momentum.
“My god they’re exciting!” Whateley said after the Blues’ sixth goal.
“There is no gauntlet they won’t run.”
The lead was just over two goals at half-time, but it felt like plenty more with the way the game was shaping.
However, entering the game as second on the ladder, Fremantle wasn’t going to roll over in a contender-defining clash.
They started the second half quick and were clearly coming, cutting the margin back to single figures when Lachie Schultz goaled.
“They look like a completely different team, structurally and how they’re going inside 50,” St Kilda champion Dal Santo said early in the third term.
However, they blew too many chances, Carlton actually extending their half-time lead with two late majors.
Fremantle’s forward half woes were personified by skipper Nat Fyfe, who had a dirty day and seemed to mistake the umpire for a teammate during the Dockers’ third quarter charge.
He finished with just 11 disposals to his name in a forward/midfield role.
Did Nat Fyfe mistake the umpire for a teammate? #AFLBluesFreo pic.twitter.com/GC2St9LA8W
— AFL (@AFL) June 25, 2022
However, the biggest problem for the superstar will be his push on an umpire during the third quarter.
If the act presents any disrespect to the whistle-blower, Fyfe is likely looking at a suspension.
Could Nat Fyfe find himself in trouble for making contact with the umpire? 🤔#AFLBluesFreo pic.twitter.com/Ne5oospgAt
— CODE AFL (@codeaflau) June 25, 2022
The Blues kept on the roll in the final quarter, turning up the intensity once again to devour a premiership contender by five goals.
Carlton likely now only needs another three wins to book their finals spot, while they continue to showcase their credentials as a top four team.
Meanwhile, the Dockers will hold onto their top four spot, but may not after playing Port Adelaide, St Kilda, Sydney, Richmond and Melbourne in the next five weeks.
FULL SCORE
Carlton: 1.3, 6.5, 9.7, 12.9. (81)
Fremantle: 3.0, 4.2, 6.5, 7.8. (50)
GOALS
Carlton: Curnow 4, McKay 2, Cottrell 2, O'Brien 2, Silvagni, Newnes
Fremantle: Taberner 2, Banfield, Colyer, Schultz, Henry, Lobb
BEST
Carlton: Walsh, Docherty, Saad, Curnow, Silvagni
Fremantle: Brodie, Darcy, Clark, Brayshaw, Young
INJURIES
Carlton: Boyd (Ankle)
Fremantle: N/A