IN a tight affair, the Blues lead Fremantle by 13 points at half-time in today’s clash at Optus Stadium, 7.8 (50) to 5.7 (37).

Matthew Wright has booted a team-high two majors, while Patrick Cripps has been dominant with a match-high 18 disposals (nine contested).

Here's a recap of the action so far:

FIRST QUARTER

THE Blues had the first inside 50 of the match but didn’t convert. Their second inside 50 was delivered by Harry McKay and resulted in the first major after Charlie Curnow was awarded a free kick 40m out from goal.

Curnow-McKay teamwork was replayed minutes later, with McKay taking a towering pack-mark delivered by Curnow to score the second goal of the match.

The Blues found themselves in trouble with Sam Rowe tackled in front of enemy lines, but the defender manager to dribble through the spoil from ground-level.

Fremantle responded with its first major via Stefan Giro.

A clean play between Ed Curnow, Marc Murphy and Matthew Wright resulted in a spectacular response for the Blues from a tight angle by Wright.

Sam Petrevski-Seton led both teams for contested possessions at the first break (five) while Charlie Curnow had match-high marks in the first quarter (five).

The score at quarter-time was Fremantle 1.4 (10) to Carlton 3.6 (24).

SECOND QUARTER

It was a strongly fought quarter that saw Fremantle wrestle back to within one point of Carlton, but the Blues pushed back to a 13-point lead thanks to late goals from Dale Thomas and Matthew Lobbe - the latter's first in the navy blue.

Skipper Marc Murphy dribbled in the first goal of the term after some hard running through the corridor, with the Blues bringing a strong contested game into the second quarter.

Fremantle responded seconds later via Cam McCarthy.

Paddy Dow excited spectators as he went for a long run with the ball eight minutes in, gaining distance on his followers heading into goal before chipping to Wright, who converted his second.

Kade Simpson delivered 10 disposals at 90 percent accuracy in the first half.

Rowe worked hard in his post, contributing four contested possessions, three marks and a match-high seven one-percenters

Caleb Marchbank prevented a late Fremantle major, sprinting into an empty goal-square to mark an incoming kick from McCarthy.

McCarthy sought revenge minutes later after winning a one-on-one with Jack Silvagni, kicking his second major to bring Fremantle back within six points of Carlton. 

The Dockers were within a point after a goal from Hayden Ballantyne, but Thomas had the answer after receiving a handball from Cripps and swinging through a major on his left foot from 50m out.

Lobbe brought the Blues back to a 13-point lead late in the second term.

The score at half-time is Fremantle 5.7 (37) to Carlton 7.8 (50).

Let’s hope the Blues can strengthen their lead in the second half.