Photo Gallery: Rd 7 2010 v St Kilda
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CARLTON has snapped a 12-game losing streak against St Kilda in convincing fashion, winning by 61 points at Etihad Stadium on Monday night.

The 20.9 (129) to 9.14 (68) victory was Carlton's first over the Saints since since 2001.

Carlton burst out of the blocks in the opening term, booting five goals - three of which came off the boot of Jarrad Waite in his return to the side.

Waite was quiet after the first term but was critical in setting up the win.

Down by five goals at half time, the Saints had the worst possible start to the third term, when Eddie Betts and Bryce Gibbs kicked two goals within two minutes - both of which came from 50m penalties. The Blues didn’t look back after that.

Betts (five goals) and Jeff Garlett (four) were prolific in attack as the Saints' resistance fell away, while Jordan Russell starred off half back, finishing with 35 touches.

The most interesting match-up of the night was Chris Judd and Lenny Hayes. Judd was brilliant when the contested ball was to be won, while Hayes was his side’s best player despite being caught out for a lack of pace on occasion. Judd finished with 24 touches and Hayes had 29.

Andrew Carrazzo did a sterling job on Nick Dal Santo, keeping  the star Saint to just 12 possessions in his quietest match for some time.

Ryan Houlihan gave his usual classy performance across half forward and Aaron Joseph never allowed any daylight between himself and St Kilda goalsneak Stephen Milne.

The Blues seemed to have too much pace for St Kilda around the ground. Chris Yarran, Kade Simpson and Kane Lucas were pivotal in that respect for the winners.

But Carlton coach Brett Ratten was reserved in his praise for his team.
 
"I think it is a confidence-booster. The middle game (against Collingwood) is the reality check. When we switch on and come with a great approach to the game, we get a good result. When we're just off a bit, we can fall away," Ratten said.
 
"In the Collingwood game, we carried around six players. This week if you look around, nearly every bloke played his part.''
 
However, Ratten was full of praise for Carrazzo: "He can get the ball 40 times in an AFL game and he has. To sacrifice his ball-winning ability to do something for the team was really important."

Saints coach Ross Lyon admitted after the game that his side couldn’t match the Blues’ leg speed.

"We knew they’d have some quick forwards and quick mids but you always look slow when you’re second to the ball and you’re chasing. They really spread well and kicked it well and we struggled," Lyon said.

"I certainly take no enjoyment out of it and. I’m trying to contain myself as I sit here but my job is to lead the group and lead the club and gather ourselves. Obviously we need to get to work and respond."

Farren Ray provided the drive from half back and Brendon Goddard was one of few Saints to hold his head high with a solid game from the midfield, while the Saints experimented with some positional changes - Sam Fisher as a midfielder and Raphael Clarke as a leading forward among them.

The 61-point margin was St Kilda’s biggest loss since 2008 and Lyon admitted it was an unfamiliar feeling.

"We spoke to the players and that effort isn’t what we stand for. Ultimately, I take responsibility for us playing like that. We spoke about that. There were a lot of things but really we were never in the game," he said.

"We really never looked like it so it was the last thing I expected coming here. I haven’t felt like that for a long, long time and the aim is to turn it around quickly."

Farren Ray provided the drive from half back and Brendon Goddard was one of few Saints to hold his head high with a solid game from the midfield, while the Saints experimented with some positional changes - Sam Fisher as a midfielder and Raphael Clarke as a leading forward among them.

The game was well and truly over by three-quarter time and Betts made sure of it, kicking four final-quarter goals to boost his personal tally.

St Kilda 2.4  5.6  7.9  9.14 (68)
Carlton 5.7  10.8  14.9  20.9 (129)

GOALS
St Kilda: Steven 2, Gram 2, Schneider, Gwilt, Milne, Goddard, Montagna
Carlton: Betts 5, Garlett 4, Waite 4, O'hAilpin 2, Murphy, Gibbs, Yarran, Houlihan, Judd

BEST
St Kilda: Hayes, Goddard, Gilbert, Gram, Ray
Carlton: Carrazzo, Judd, Gibbs, Russell, Lucas, Garlett, Simpson, Betts

INJURIES
St Kilda: King (hamstring)
Carlton: Bower replaced in selected side by Johnson, Waite (knee)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Farmer, Kennedy, Jeffery
 
Official crowd: 42,886 at Etihad Stadium

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.