A spectacular overhead kick from Toby Greene sent Giants fans into high spirits at Marvel Stadium on Sunday afternoon, but Carlton supporters had the last laugh as the Blues followed up last week’s loss to Geelong with a 36 point win over GWS.
With many pushing at the top end of the ladder for a top eight position in the coming weeks, it was an important win for Carlton and they will be wide-eyed for an unlikely but not out of the question top four finish first places September
Charlie Curnow was on song for the Blues. Credit: AFL Photos
The Blues are now a game off the top half of the top eight and have a tough run at home, facing Melbourne and Brisbane in the coming weeks.
After an arm-wrestling first half, Carlton kicked three goals in a row midway through the third quarter, with the boots of Harry McKay, Charlie Curnow and Josh Honey, to run away with a good lead which they held on to until the end.
Toby Greene is flying high for the Giants. Credit: AFL Photos
Patrick Cripps snuffed out hopes of a GWS comeback in the final quarter with a huge kick from seven just inside the 50 just over five minutes into the quarter, followed by two goals from Curnow, giving Carlton a lead of 29 points.
GWS, despite Tim Taranto’s best efforts, struggled with some disconnect between their midfield and forward lines, while Carlton’s Sam Walsh, Cripps, Adam Cerra and Matthew Kennedy were effective from the off and were able to pull the ball on the ground.
Not only did Carlton have more inside 50s (56 to 48), they were significantly more efficient in their forward half.
Greene’s potential mark-of-the-year contender – flying high over the back of Lewis Young for a thrilling catch to finish off a lineout kick – was arguably his most exciting moment of the game, but he also took maximize opportunities. in the Giants’ forward half, kicking three goals.