Carlton has staved off a gutsy GWS 90-54 at Marvel Stadium despite injury scares to two star players.
The win sees the navy blues move to 12-6 and into the sixth position awaiting the result of Collingwood and Essendon’s clash.
It was a low-scoring scrap for much of the first half, a style the Giants would’ve been content within an attempt to quell the space and dominance of the Blues talls.
Matt Cottrell gave Carlton a buffer, slotting two consecutive set shots and proving a headache for the Giants. But it was short-lived as GWS hit back twice to go into the main-break down by just three points.
Sam Walsh was removed from the ground at the start of the third term after a severe rolling of the ankle left him in visible pain.
The pain continued as star back Jacob Weitering limped off with a corked thigh, coinciding with GWS pressing hard for the lead with repeat inside 50s.
But the seesawing affair continued for the nervous Blues faithful as Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay saluted just as Walsh and Jacob Weitering returned to the field.
Patrick Cripps (one goal, 34 disposals) slotted a crucial goal after a 50-metre penalty to put the margin out to 23 points, proving all too much for the orange tsunami who capitulated in the last term.
Despite his time on the bench, Walsh managed to collect 31 touches and alongside Matt Kennedy (27 disposals, six tackles) and Adam Saad (25 disposals, 12 marks) were a massive part of the eventual victory.
Will Setterfield (24 touches, eight marks) seemed at home against his former side in his first full game since Round 6, while Curnow (four goals, 18 disposals, 10 marks) proved the most dominant forward of the day.
For the Giants, Stephen Coniglio fought hard with two goals and 21 disposals, while Tim Taranto compiled 30 touches to apply some midfield resistance.
Tom De Koning had his colours lowered by Braydon Preuss (19 touches, 37 hit outs) who was a highlight of the day for the losing side.
Carlton travels to Adelaide to face the Crows next Saturday night while the Giants will face cross-town rivals Sydney at the SCG.
FULL SCORE
Carlton: 3.4, 5.6, 9.8, 13.12 (90)
GWS: 2.0, 5.3, 7.3, 8.6 (54)
GOALS
Carlton: Curnow 4, Cottrell 2, McKay 2, Setterfield, Honey, Silvagni, Cripps, Durdin
GWS: Greene 3, Coniglio 2, Riccardi, Wehr, Briggs
BEST
Carlton: C Curnow, P Cripps, A Saad, M Kennedy, S Walsh, W Setterfield
GWS: B Preuss, T Taranto, S Coniglio, T Greene
INJURIES
Carlton: Sam Walsh (rolled left ankle), Jacob Weitering (corked thigh)
GWS: n/a