CARLTON has triumphed for the second week running, accounting for Hawthorn by 60 points at the MCG.

The game was in the Blues’ control from the outset, keeping the Hawks goalless in the first half while piling on 17 of their own for the game in the 17.10 (112) to 7.10 (52) win.

Jack Martin and Charlie Curnow kicked three goals apiece in a team with 11 individual goalkickers, while Blake Acres set the tone early with 12-disposal opening quarter (22 for the game). Sam Docherty finished with 26 disposals and a goal.

Quarter one

It was the late inclusion Lewis Young who started at the centre bounce in the ruck, in the absence of both Tom De Koning and Marc Pittonet. It was just the ninth time that all of Carlton’s 2015 draft class played in the same game, and it was two first-round picks - David Cuningham and Charlie Curnow - who combined for the first goal of the day. Despite conceding height in the ruck stakes, the Blues’ midfielders nullified that at ground level, outpointing their Hawks opponents to dominate the ball early: Blake Acres had 12 first-quarter disposals, while Adam Cerra and Sam Walsh (11 each) weren’t far behind. Some nimble work from McKay at ground level solidified the Blues’ advantage when he assisted Cuningham for his first goal back since a long injury layoff. When the Hawks did attack, Brodie Kemp and Jacob Weitering did well to repel, while Alex Cincotta and Nic Newman were aggressive higher up the ground. Hawthorn began to attack more as the quarter went on, but Carlton’s backline held firm to maintain a 19-point lead.

Quarter two

The Blues’ willingness to fight at ground level was evident inside the opening minute of the second term, when Charlie Curnow, Patrick Cripps and Cuningham combined for the latter’s second goal. After the Blues were +46 for disposals in the opening quarter, the possession count started to even up, as some opportunities in front of goal went begging for the Hawks. The Blues well and truly made their opponents pay at the other end, with some blistering ball movement - led by Patrick Cripps - ending in Cerra hitting the scoreboard. The twin towers in Curnow and McKay followed shortly after, while at the other end, Jacob Weitering was impervious with 14 disposals and seven intercepts against the in-form Mitch Lewis. It was Carlton’s spread which was key, having 61 more uncontested possession than the Hawks to half time, as the Blues kept the Hawks goalless in the first half — the first time they’ve managed to do that after 170 games against them.

Quarter three

Sam Docherty didn’t take long into the first half to provide one of the individual highlights of the match, shrugging off a tackle and curling one home in front of a delighted Carlton Cheersquad. The Blues’ defence was finally breached for the first time at the six-minute mark of the third quarter, which was quickly followed by two more to bring the margin back to 38 points. With the Blues under increasing pressure, Acres - who had worked tirelessly all day - was the one to step up, taking a strong mark on the goal line to give the Blues some extra breathing room. As the Hawks looked to take the game to the Blues, the game turned more and more to a battle of transition, with Docherty finding Martin following a turnover for his second major. Lachie Fogarty continued to battle hard with seven tackles to the final change, while Cripps and Docherty led the way with 20 disposals apiece.

Quarter four

The final term started as the third term ended from a Carlton scoreboard point of view, with Martin - after a fingertip mark - kicked his third. It staved off any possibility of a Hawthorn comeback, with the final term largely played on Carlton’s terms like the first half. After an unselfish assist for Cerra, Charlie Curnow kicked his third major before being subbed off for George Hewett for pure management reasons. Carlton spun the magnets around all day, with Cripps and Matthew Kennedy both spending time inside 50, while Cuningham and Fogarty featured at the centre bounce. It was a 60-point margin come the final siren, marking the Blues’ biggest win over the Hawks in nearly 30 years.

Three things we learned

1. The Blues would’ve been wary of the threat the Hawks hold, no matter the buffer. In the last four games between these two sides prior to today, Carlton had kicked out to 36, 31, 23 and 40-point leads: the Blues lost the first two, and then prevailed in close finishes in the others. Despite a brief purple patch in the third term, the Blues had a largely comfortable day this time around, holding off the Hawthorn challenge.

2. Contributors all over the park. Much like the last Carlton game, the Blues could hang their hat on a proper team performance against the Hawks. It started in the middle of the ground, with makeshift rucks Lewis Young and Jack Silvagni putting in a shift all afternoon. There wasn’t one dominant ballwinner (eight Blues had 19 disposals or more), while the Blues once again had 11 individual goalkickers.

3. It was selfless a team performance as Carlton has produced this year. On numerous occasions, the Blues chose to find a teammate than go for glory themselves, with their commitment to one another evident. Carlton produced 86 tackles for the game (its highest tally for the year), while also taking 20 marks inside 50 (second highest in 2023).

HAWTHORN     0.3     0.5     5.8          7.10 (52)
CARLTON          3.4     8.7     11.10       17.10 (112)

GOALS
Carlton: Martin 3, C.Curnow 3, Cuningham 2, McKay 2, Acres, Cerra, Docherty, Fogarty, McKay, Owies, Silvagni

BESTS
Carlton: Docherty, Cerra, Acres, Cripps, McKay, Martin, Weitering, Fogarty, Cuningham