Carlton has produced a barnstorming finish to down the Gold Coast Suns by 29 points, while Port Adelaide overcame a slow start to prove far too strong for North Melbourne in Tassie.
Having lost three of their last four games, the Blues entered Round 11 among the most under pressure teams but delivered in spades to salute 15.12 (102) to 11.7 (73) at Marvel Stadium in front of 39,057 fans.
The margin was less than three goals at the final break but Carlton and Charlie Curnow exploded into action to dominate the last term.
“It’s the most all round performance we’ve seen in a few weeks,” Brisbane great Jonathan Brown said in commentary for Fox Footy.
Curnow and Andrew are getting into it!
— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) May 25, 2024
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Curnow had been locked in a tense battle with Suns young gun Mac Andrew for much of the game, with the Gold Coast backman intercepting at will and taking the chocolates in the first half.
But a coaching move that saw Curnow largely play out of the goal square in the second half paid dividends, with the reigning Coleman Medalist eventually finishing with four majors from eight shots.
Blues captain Patrick Cripps played one of his best game for the year to notch up 16 contested possessions and 13 clearances, while Touk Miller (21 disposals, eight clearances) was the best of the Suns’ on-ball brigade. Matt Rowell did lay a stunning 15 tackles.
Further south, a bright start by the Kangaroos was soured by a disappointing second half that saw them concede nine goals and kick just three en route to a 59-point defeat.
Port Adelaide's Jason Horne-Francis was always going to be the centrepice of the clash and the 20-year-old gun didn’t fail to deliver, lighting up the first half before copping a Liam Shiels tag in the second half.
Jason Horne-Francis marks and goals on former teammate Charlie Comben - and he's got a few choice words for him!
— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) May 25, 2024
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His second-quarter goal sparked a minor melee between the two sides and Power and Kangaroo players came in to fly the flag.
But the bravado wouldn’t last for Alastair Clarkson’s men, who succumbed to an 11th straight loss.
A bye comes at a good time for North Melbourne to reset next week, while the Power host Carlton in a Thursday night blockbuster.
Ken Hinkley’s primary concern revolves around a calf strain for small forward Willie Rioli in the first half, while captain Connor Rozee played through an ankle sprain and moved forward.