CARLTON has continued its strong run of form in the VFL, overcoming Footscray by 20 points in an entertaining Round 8 clash after a dominant third-quarter burst set up the victory.
After trailing at the main break, the Blues put the foot down in a scintillating third term, kicking seven unanswered goals to set up the 16.21 (117) to 15.7 (97) victory.
The Blues controlled possession early and opened the scoring through Ashton Moir after Liam Reidy found him inside 50. Footscray responded quickly though, keeping the game tight throughout the opening term.
Cooper Vickery produced a crucial spoil that allowed Lachie Fogarty to gather cleanly and snap truly, while Wade Derksen impressed early in a shift back to defence with multiple intercept marks.
Blake Acres was influential from the outset and linked up with Oliver Warburton, who took a strong contested mark before converting. Carlton regained the lead late in the term when Acres unselfishly handed off to Talor Byrne for a composed finish, but a late Footscray goal saw scores level at quarter-time.
The Dogs struck first in the second quarter to edge ahead, but Moir continued to look dangerous inside 50. Strong body work allowed him to take an uncontested mark before calmly converting his second goal of the afternoon, before flying high moments later for another impressive mark.
Will Reinhold then produced a memorable moment, snapping truly out of congestion for his first goal as a Blue to briefly restore Carlton’s lead.
However, Footscray again answered immediately and held a nine-point advantage heading into the main break.
Carlton completely took over after half time with a blistering third quarter that turned the match on its head. Cooper Vickery launched a long-range effort from beyond 50 after a centre clearance to cut the margin to three points inside 30 seconds, before he found Moir a minute later who gave the Blues back the lead.
The momentum continued to build as Acres soccered one through off the ground before Hudson O’Keeffe added consecutive goals, including a brilliant finish while lying on the turf.
Carlton’s ball movement became increasingly dangerous, slicing through Footscray’s defence with speed and precision, which came off the back of outstanding intercepting work from Derksen and the equally impressive Lewis Young.
A coast-to-coast passage from a kick-in eventually found Byrne who converted, before Matthew Cottrell capped off the dominant quarter with another major after relentless pressure from defensive 50.
It gave the Blues a commanding 30-point lead at three-quarter time after trailing at the main break, with their transition game a highlight.
Byrne wasted little time adding another in the final quarter for his third of the day, while soon after, a slick chain of handballs through the corridor ended with Moir snapping his fourth goal on the run for a game-high lead.
Footscray fought back late with six final-quarter goals to three, but Carlton had already done enough. Cody Walker added his first goal in Navy Blue with a clean running finish, as only inaccuracy prevented the Blues from a bigger margin than 20 points come the final siren.
Blake Acres had 28 disposals in a strong all-round performance, while the key defensive pairing of Derksen and Young combined for 25 marks. Famous Carlton names in Ben Camporeale, Cody Walker and Darcy Hogg all contributed strongly, while youngsters Moir and Byrne shared seven goals between them.
CARLTON 4.6 6.11 13.13 16.21 (117)
FOOTSCRAY 5.0 9.2 9.7 15.7 (97)
GOALS
Carlton: Moir 4, Byrne 3, O’Keeffe 2, Acres, Cottrell, Fogarty, Vickery, Reinhold, Walker, Warburton
BESTS
Carlton: Acres, Derksen, Young, Reidy, Moir, Byrne
