A midfield masterclass led by Patrick Cripps has seen Carlton come from behind to down the GWS Giants by ** under the roof at Marvel Stadium.
As much as 22 points up in the minutes before half-time, the Giants squandered a healthy lead, with the orange tsunami turning blue as Carlton ran riot.
Michael Voss’ on-ballers tore strips off the visitors, inflicting a stunning +16 demolition on the Giants in clearances.
Carlton also had 30 more contested possessions, with Cripps ending the game with an astonishing 39 possessions (24 contested) and 13 clearances.
Last week, the Blues' undefeated streak was ended by Adelaide. In Round 6, they inflicted the same fate on the Giants, who had previously cemented their position as the early premiership favourites.
Here’s how we graded every player.
CARLTON
Patrick Cripps: A+
His best game for the season. Dominated a hardened GWS midfield for clearances, contested possessions and more. Couldn’t have done any more.
Tom De Koning: A+
The De Koning forward experiment certainly worked this week. Three goals while also lending Pittonet a big hand in the ruck.
Sam Walsh: A+
Backed up last week’s remarkable outing with another dominant effort, to the surprise of no one. 17 score involvements.
Matthew Kennedy: A
Moved behind the footy after Zac Williams was subbed off and enjoyed a season-high 27 possessions in his 100th game.
Harry McKay: A
The Giants kept him down for the first half, but couldn’t keep it up. So much second-half impact.
Nic Newman: B+
Right up there with the Blues’ best. Score involvements, intercepts, marks, metres gained and more, Newman was everywhere and finished with 26 disposals.
George Hewett: B+
Didn’t have his typical defensive efforts but more than made up for it going the other way.
Marc Pittonet: B+
Plenty of influence in the ruck for De Koning on Saturday. 15+ possessions, 20+ hitouts and more than half a dozen clearances to go with it.
Matt Cottrell: B+
Everything he touched turned into a score for the Blues. Seriously underrated player.
Charlie Curnow: B
Played like a man lacking confidence for the first half but woke up after that. Could have been his best game for the season if he kicked straight.
Blake Acres: B
The performance we’ve come to expect from the underrated Blues wingman. Ran hard, used it well and stood up in big moments.
Lachlan Cowan: B
In for his first game this season and impressed in defence. Should keep his spot while Adam Saad is injured.
Jordan Boyd: B
Spent time on Toby Greene and could hold his head high. Used the ball well and showed courage in a crucial moment going back with the pack.
Brodie Kemp: B-
Has quietly had a very good season in defence.
Corey Durdin: B-
Jacob Weitering: C+
Copped a corkie in the second term and looked sore from then on.
Elijah Hollands: C+
Two goals from 14 possessions, bit fumbly at times but looks like a best 22 player long term.
Oliver Hollands: C+
Plenty of metres gained from his 16 disposals, ran hard all evening.
Matt Owies: C
Orazio Fantasia: D+
Yet to show us what he can really do in 2024, but playing a surprisingly defensive role. Spent some time on the wing too.
Lewis Young: D+
Came in for Mitch McGovern to be another tall in the Blues back six but lacked the influence of the man he replaced.
_Jack Carroll: N/A
Subbed on for Williams and had nine touches in a half.
Zac Williams: N/A
Subbed out at half-time with a knock to the Achilles.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
Josh Kelly: A+
Several GWS midfielders faltered, but Kelly wasn’t one of them. Racked up stats in all aspects of the game and pushed forward for three goals.
Brent Daniels: A
Seven score involvements, three goal assists, kicked a major himself and made something happen every time he went near the footy.
Lachie Ash: B+
Was the Giants’ best player in the first half. Slowed from there but still enjoyed over 400 metres gained roaming half-back.
Jesse Hogan: B+
Continues to dominate. Keeps his lead in the Coleman Medal with three majors and was the Giants’ best forward. An off-the-ball bit on Lewis Young will come under MRO examination, however.
Toby Bedford: B
Maximum bang for buck for Bedford, who kicked two goals from his 11 disposals.
Lachie Whitfield: B-
Was once again involved in almost anything off the Giants’ half-back line but perhaps lacked his trademark run and carry and creative ball use to a degree.
Jacob Wehr: B-
Harry Perryman: B-
Perryman was the Giants’ best interceptor under the Marvel Stadium roof in a solid performance.
Leek Aleer: B-
His stats sheet wasn’t much to write home about, but don’t be deceived. Aleer played a belter of a first half up against Harry McKay, especially considering the calibre of player he was replacing in Sam Taylor. Looked to pick up a niggle after the main break.
Finn Callaghan: C+
How much time Callaghan has with ball in hand stood out again in a congested game.
Tom Green: C
Had plenty of the footy but lacked the influence he’d been exerting earlier in the season. That’s two down games in a row after a blistering start to the year. Well beaten by Cripps.
Kieren Briggs: C
Had his colours lowered by the combination of Marc Pittonet and Tom De Koning but battled away.
Toby Greene: C
The GWS captain was among his side’s best in the first half but couldn't into the clash after the main break, like many of his teammates.
Jack Buckley: C
Stood up big time without Sam Taylor for a half but couldn't stop the onslaught after that.
Harry Himmelberg: C
Aaron Cadman: C
Didn’t spend any time in the ruck against the Blues, unlike in recent weeks. Had a big impact when he got the ball, as evidenced by his five score involvements from 11 touches, to go a goal.
Callan Ward: C-
Was part of a Giants midfield that was completely smashed. Had minimal impact.
Jake Riccardi: C-
Made the most of his opportunities to kick two majors. He’s now kicked a goal in each of his last five games, including multiples on three of those occasions.
Connor Idun: C-
The most marks for GWS, but needed to intercept more in Sam Taylor’s absence.
Callum Brown: C-
Couldn’t get into the game.
Harvey Thomas: C-
An electric presence, just didn’t get enough of it.
Xavier O’Halloran: N/A
Couldn’t have any influence on the contest and was subbed out at three quarter time.
James Peatling: N/A
Kicked an impressive goal in the final term after coming on as the sub. Not much else to mention.
