Geelong have held on to remain undefeated, beating Carlton 18.10 (118) to 15.15 (105) in front of over 87,000 at the MCG.
The Cats were simply too clean in transition, doing their damage off turnovers in the back half and sweeping through the Blues.
Patrick Dangerfield looked at his best, entering the game as a third tall forward option and causing major headaches all over the ground for the Blues. Unfortunately for the Cats' captain, another suspected hamstring injury ruled him out of the contest just a few minutes into the third term.
Carlton had several opportunities across the game, dominating field position however finding themselves 19 points down at the half despite being +12 on inside 50’s and +7 on clearances.
Their field dominance continued in the third term, where they clawed back to just a four-point deficit before conceding a few late scores and were unable to make it count in the fourth.
"The hottest duo in the league right now," said Kane Cornes with high praise for the midfield duo of Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh on the AFL Nation broadcast. The two continued their dominance by combining for 60 disposals and 13 clearances.
Jeremy Cameron continued to dominate playing higher up the park, while Zach Guthrie stepped in to play the Tom Stewart role in Stewart’s absence and plugged the hole with ease.
In what was a blue tsunami in the late stages, Carlton found four straight goals to cut the 33-point final term Geelong lead back to just eight points… but trust Jeremy Cameron to step up and ice the game.
We graded every player in the top-end clash at the ‘G.
Geelong:
Jeremy Cameron: A+
Impossible to stop. He always pops up in phenomenal fashion. Managed his 600th goal in typical Jeremy Cameron style – a true legend of the modern game. Five goals, 17 touches and nine marks.
Gryan Miers: A+
“Gryan Miers week” inbound, according to Kane Cornes. If he can continue to hit the scoreboard, alongside his ability to create goals, a blazer may await him. Overdue?… 22 touches, 10 score involvements and two goals.
Max Holmes: A+
Quickly become one of the Cats’ best players. Finished with 26 and a goal.
Patrick Dangerfield: A
So strong, looked back to his elite best in the first half. Incredibly unlucky with injury, fingers crossed for the champion.
Jade Kolodjashnij: B+
So important for the Cats. Extremely underrated one-on-one defender.
Zach Tuohy: B+
Three goals on return for the Irishman, played very well against his former club.
Zach Guthrie: B+
Tasked with a mammoth role in the absence of Tom Stewart and did it superbly. Eight marks to go with 19 touches.
Mitch Duncan: B
Plenty of touch in transition.
Oliver Henry: B
Kicked three important goals, one of which came entirely against the flow of play to stem the bleeding.
Cameron Guthrie: B
Looked good on return, rotating through the middle while lurking in the back half.
Tyson Stengle: B-
A decent game for the All-Australian. 10 score involvements.
Jack Bowes: C+
Great late in the game.
Brad Close: C+
Tanner Bruhn: C+
Jack Henry: C
Mark Blicavs: C
No major impact from Blicavs.
Rhys Stanley: C
Couldn’t compete with Marc Pittonet.
Oliver Dempsey: C
Tom Hawkins: C-
Had a strong battle with Jacob Weitering, unable to have any sort of say on the game in the first half.
Sam De Koning: C-
A great young player but unable to contain Harry McKay. Just the five touches.
Brandon Parfitt: C-
Had 17 touches, under 60 percent.
Mark O’Connor: D
Just the six touches.
Tom Atkins: N/A
Subbed into the game in the third term, didn't find much of the footy.
Carlton:
Patrick Cripps: A+
The level of football this guy produces every week is incredible. So physically dominant in the contest. Another 29 touches to go with two important goals.
Marc Pittonet: A+
Has revolutionised Carlton’s early season clearance woes. Won the hit outs and lead the game with 11 clearances.
Harry McKay: A
Arguably the best contested mark in the competition, pulled up the ground and gave the Blues so many opportunities through contested grabs up the ground and elite field kicking. Two goals, 10 marks, five tackles to go with 19 disposals.
Sam Walsh: A
Lead the game with 31 disposals, managed seven tackles and glided all over the ground.
Jacob Weitering: A
Dominated Tom Hawkins, looked composed for the most part and led the game in intercept possessions with 11.
Elijah Hollands: A-
A fantastic outing for the recruit. Two goals and seven score involvements.
Blake Acres: A-
Had plenty of the ball, not the best decision making but a very strong contender in the first half… remains arguably the most clutch player in the AFL. What a final term!
George Hewett: B+
Charlie Curnow: B
Having an incredibly hot and cold season. Little impact early on, but always manages to find the big sticks. Turned it around brilliantly in the second half.
Jordan Boyd: B
Kicked his first AFL goal in brilliant fashion. Continues to impress week in, week out.
Matthew Kennedy: B-
Mostly good. Had a great second half.
Brodie Kemp: B-
Played well intercepting up the ground.
Nic Newman: B-
Lachlan Cowan: C+
Has transitioned into Carlton's backline very well in Adam Saad's absence.
Zac Williams: C+
Some good moments, not an awful lot.
Matthew Cottrell: C
Came in red-hot, had a quiet day.
Ollie Hollands: C
Tom De Koning: C
Took a massive hit in the first term, managed to get back on the ground but couldn't impact as he did last week.
Corey Durdin: C
Had a massive chance to keep the Blues in the game and fluffed the set shot. Not a lot outside of that.
Lewis Young: C
Jack Carroll: C
Called into the first 22 from the first bounce, didn't manage to do much.
Matthew Owies: D
Did close to nothing before being subbed out at the final break.
Jaxon Binns: N/A
Came in for his first AFL game in the final term.
Carlton have yet another tough test as they take on Collingwood at the MCG next Friday night, while the Cats will look to take it to eight straight wins againts the Demons on Saturday.
