CARLTON has secured its place in the Wildcard Round after a hard-fought 31-point victory over Footscray at IKON Park.

Leading at every change, the Blues kicked away in the final term, prevailing 13.13 (91) to 9.6 (60) to lock away ninth position on the VFL ladder.

The contest was heavily contested from the opening bounce, with both sides looking to move the ball with speed and control the game through marks around the ground.

The Dogs started strongly, kicking the opening goal of the game, but the Blues quickly responded through two goals to Hudson O’Keeffe.

After some scrappy play, Tom Howard snapped truly from the pocket, capping off a strong start built on his forward-half pressure. The Blues continued to apply immense pressure inside 50, allowing them to set up behind the ball and make it difficult for the Dogs to exit defensive 50.

O’Keeffe continued his dominant opening term, completing his hat-trick after receiving a free kick. Howard then added his second for the quarter as Carlton continued to control territory.

Dane Harvey was also influential in defence, taking multiple intercept marks as the Blues maintained control for much of the opening term.

Footscray added a late goal to reduce the margin to 19 points at the first change.

The Dogs came out firing in the second term, kicking the opening goal before adding another shortly after to cut Carlton’s lead to just eight points.

Footscray dominated territory early in the quarter, but the Blues steadied through Harry Charleson, who finished off a beautiful goal on the run to halt the Bulldogs’ momentum.

Jordan Boyd then launched a long bomb from inside the centre square as Carlton pushed its lead back out to 20 points. The Dogs responded with another major, but the Blues held firm to take a 15-point lead into the main break.

The third quarter began in scrappy fashion, with both sides struggling to use the ball cleanly.

The Bulldogs struck first to cut the margin to 10 points, but Liam Reidy responded with a composed set-shot goal to restore Carlton’s advantage.

A great passage of play then found Liam Farrar, who calmly converted for his first goal of the afternoon to extend the Blues’ lead to 24 points.

Footscray hit back with a goal of its own, but Carlton remained in control heading into the final change.

Carlton controlled territory early in the final term, with Boyd winning three pivotal one-on-one contests inside the opening six minutes in a quarter defined by moments.

Logan Prout provided the spark with a brilliant running snap to push the margin out to 25 points, but the Dogs refused to go away to once again draw closer.

A slick passage of handballs inside 50 found Ollie Hollands, who converted truly for his first goal of the day and extended Carlton’s lead to 23 points. Flynn Young then weaved through traffic before finding Cody Walker, who calmly finished for his first goal of the afternoon.

The Blues continued to dominate the final term, with Ashton Moir putting the finishing touches on a convincing victory with a brilliant snap from the pocket.

Lucas Camporeale was the Blues’ most prolific on the wing with 32 disposals, while Ollie Hollands was also influential with 31 disposals and a goal. Darcy Tucker continued his strong form with 28 disposals, while Adam Saad provided plenty of drive from half-back with 25 disposals in a best-on-ground performance.

Carlton ran out 31-point winners to secure its place in the Wildcard Round, where it will face Williamstown next weekend.

FOOTSCRAY VFL              2.2     5.3     7.4        9.6 (60)
CARLTON RESERVES       5.3     7.6     9.11      13.13 (91)

GOALS
Carlton: O’Keeffe 3, Howard 2, Boyd, Charleson, Farrar, Hollands, Moir, Prout, Reidy, Walker

BESTS
Carlton: Saad, Prout, Hollands, Fogarty, L.Camporeale, Young