A Charlie Curnow-inspired Carlton is up and running in 2023 after taming Geelong in a high-octane eight-point victory on Thursday night.
Michael Voss’ side took control at stoppage and never look back as Adam Cerra and Ed Curnow’s defensive work on the Cats on-ballers quelled their influence for most of the evening.
As is becoming the norm with this iteration of the Blues, the result wasn’t without a wobble as the Cats threw everything at hauling the lead back in a frantic final term.
Before tonight, Carlton hadn’t defeated a reigning premier since early 2010 when they beat the same opponent in Geelong.
“Carlton has Geelong at sixes and sevens,” Gerard Whateley said in commentary on AFL Nation during the third term.
Charlie Curnow’s class shone through in a match-winning performance, booting five goals including two in the second term.
As Geelong spun the magnets as they tried to quell Curnow’s influence, Ratugolea’s spell on the bench after a heavy knock saw Zach Guthrie stand the Carlton talisman.
It’s fair to say that wouldn’t have been in the script heading into Thursday night’s contest.
Jeremy Cameron was even more prolific than Curnow up the other end, ending the night with match-high six majors and a starring role in the evening despite not being on the winning end of the ledger.
“This is a mighty performance from Jez (Cameron),” Whateley said.
Carlton’s messy forward 50 entries were a feature in last week’s opening round draw against Richmond and they started in a similar fashion, winning the ball at the source but unable to take advantage of their territorial dominance in the first term.
While the Blues stuttered forward of centre, Geelong’s efficiency saw them take the lead in the second quarter, before Michael Voss’ side wrested back momentum before the main change to lead by eight points.
It was a margin that wouldn't change.
There was injury drama for Carlton even before the first bounce, with Jack Martin being withdrawn late with calf tightness.
The one-ruck set up lasted just a single round as the Blues opted to include Marc Pittonet as a last-minute switch to partner Tom De Koning.
Geelong had their own injury troubles during the game, with Sam De Koning hobbling off the field in the second quarter after a late bump by Jesse Motlop, but the Cats defender was able to continue.
“He’s genuinely sore that boy,” Brereton said.
“De Koning is as sore as you can be in a footy game."
Third quarter separates both sides
They don’t called it the premiership quarter for nothing.
Carlton would’ve been hoping for at least four points from a tough opening fortnight of the season and a six-quarter burst in the third term saw them seal their first win of 2023 and put an early stake in the ground this season.
After last week’s draw, Michael Voss’ side is up and running with six points as momentum builds around their campaign.
Young Blues stands up when it counts
Lachie Cowan and Ollie Hollands landed at Carlton in the off-season as highly-touted draft picks. Based off their performances on Thursday night, it’s not hard to see why.
The latter’s decision-making and defensive running playing on the wing were on show and while only being two games into his AFL career so far, his class is already evident.
Dermott Brereton in commentary singled out the Tasmanian Cowan for praise as well.
“There’s so much to like about Lachlan Cowan,” he said on AFL Nation early in the contest.
Don’t forget about Ed
While Ed Curnow wasn’t the best Curnow at the MCG on Thursday night, he was one of the Blues’ best overall.
Carlton needed every bit of his vast experience as the pressure rose in the final term.
“Ed Curnow has had some pivotal touches while the others around him are helter-skelter,” Gerard Whateley said in commentary.
FULL SCORE
Carlton: 2.6, 6.8, 12.11, 13.12 (90)
Geelong: 2.1, 4.6, 9.6, 12.10 (82)
GOALS
Carlton: C.Curnow 5, Owies 3, Durdin, E.Curnow, Fisher, Motlop, McKay
Geelong: Cameron 6, Henry 2, Hawkins, Blicavs, Close, Rohan
BEST
Carlton: C. Curnow, Cripps, Owies, Kennedy, E.Curnow, Saad
Geelong: Cameron, C.Guthrie, I.Smith, Holmes
INJURIES
Carlton: N/A
Geelong: N/A
CROWD: 55,861 at the MCG.