CARLTON trails Gold Coast by two points after a low-scoring and scrappy first half at Metricon Stadium.

The Blues lead the Suns for inside 50s (26 to 19) but haven't managed to convert their opportunities, with both sides being let down by skill errors on a slippery deck.

Gold Coast leads Carlton 3.6 (24) to 3.4 (22).

FIRST QUARTER

Both teams had 12 inside 50s in first the term but the Blues didn’t capitalise with just one goal for the quarter owing to a tight snap from skipper Marc Murphy.  

The midfielder also had nine touches with 100 percent disposal efficiency in the opening term.

Caleb Marchbank put in a strong performance in the opening term, with four contested possessions and four tackles.

Gold Coast got off to a fast start with three unanswered majors, leaving the Blues trailing by 13 points at the first change.

SECOND QUARTER

It was a low-scoring term, with Patrick Cripps the only goalkicker for the first 29 minutes.

The vice-captain collected 14 disposals in the second term, with team-highs in contested possessions (eight), tackles (four) and disposals (21) at half-time.

First-year midfielder Lochie O’Brien narrowed the Suns' lead with his major from a set-shot in the final seconds.

Let’s hope the Blues can overrun the Suns in the second half.