THE MAN for the moment.

Carlton has produced its third consecutive win in the most dramatic fashion, with a Patrick Cripps goal securing a four-point win over premiership fancy Geelong.

On a night defined by pure desire and passion both on the ground and in the stands, the Blues produced a brilliant win on a massive occasion for the Club, pipping the Cats 12.16 (88) to 12.12 (84).

While Cripps was the clutch king and Sam Walsh and Jacob Weitering led brilliantly, it was another night where Carlton’s youngsters stood up, with Harry Dean, Jagga Smith and Billy Wilson all stepping up.

08:16

AFL R12 | Match Highlights

Re-watch all the best moments from our Round 12 win against Geelong.

The Blues needed to overcome an uncharacteristic slow start, with the Cats asserting their authority in the opening term.

After Will Hayward kicked the opening goal of the game, the ball lived in Geelong’s forward half and the Carlton backline was under increasing pressure, conceding four consecutive goals.

Harry Dean had some big defensive moments while Jagga Smith got busy around the ball, with the Blues responding well in the final minutes to halt the momentum: however, they entered the first break trailing by 19 points.

The Blues got their offensive game going well and truly in the second term, looking dynamic every time they had ball in hand - albeit lacking with their final shot on goal.

It was a term where the Blues’ youngsters stood up, as Jack Ison turned provided for a Flynn Young goal before kicking his own to ignite the MCG.

00:42

AFL R12 | In like Flynn: Young gun catches fire

Flynn Young becomes an unlikely barometer for the Blues in the second term with a delightful double.

In his second game for the season, Young played an inspired patch of football, kicking two majors and having some decisive as the Blues wrestled their way back into the game, with Billy Wilson having increasing impact across half-back.

Twice coming back from a 20-point deficit, the Blues rallied as an Adam Cerra goal from a holding-the-ball free kick got the Blues within a kick at the main break.

A classic Carlton patch of five minutes of devastating football was a throwback to past years, kicking three goals in three minutes to open up a lead in the third term.

Dean was brilliant on the last line, collecting eight disposals for the third term as the Cats responded, while Hayward looked increasingly dangerous.

00:42

AFL R12 | Deafening noise at the ‘G as Blues livewires light it up

Talor Byrne and Will Hayward get crafty around goal to ignite their side in the third quarter.

The Blues led by the barest of margins at the last change, and if the previous two quarters were any indication, it was going to go down to the wire.

It was a goal-for-goal final term, with Geelong having an answer every time Carlton looked to break away.

What looked to be the play of the night saw Talor Byrne floor Marc Blicavs, Jagga Smith break 50 and find Brodie Kemp who converted: after that, the Blues had 23 goalless minutes.

But when Jack Henry put the Cats up with two minutes to go, the Blues looked headed for a heartbreaking, ‘honourable’ loss.

Arise Patrick Cripps.

The man for the moment took an overhead contested mark that had Carlton fans in raptures, before going back to slot the goal and give the Blues the lead once more.

On a night where the Blues kicked 16 behinds, it was that decisive kick which ensured a third consecutive win, coming on the night of the Club’s 10-year celebration of Carlton Respects.

CARLTON      1.3     5.9     9.11        12.16 (88)
GEELONG     4.4     6.8     9.10       12.12 (84)

GOALS
Carlton: Hayward 3, Kemp 2, F.Young 2, Byrne, Cerra, Cripps, Hewett, Ison