Carlton have resisted a Jeremy Cameron-inspired Geelong comeback to finish a horror run in tight contests with an eight-point victory, leaving the reigning AFL premiers winless after two rounds.
Star ahead Charlie Curnow kicked 5 objectives because the Blues surged clear throughout the third quarter earlier than hanging on for a nervy 13.12 (90) to 12.10 (82) triumph on the MCG.
The Cats trailed by 28 factors late within the third time period however reduce it again to a single-figure margin with loads of time left as Cameron booted three final-quarter objectives.
Cameron completed with 6.1 from 25 disposals and eight marks in an excellent efficiency, regardless of being banged up after a collection of huge collisions, however couldn’t drag Geelong over the road.
The Cats had been left licking their wounds, nursing a 0-2 report for the primary time since 2015.
Curnow brought on complications for Geelong for a lot of the evening, kicking objectives in every of the primary three phrases.
Last yr’s Coleman Medal winner booted majors with 5 of his first six kicks as he made life tough for remodelled Cats defender Esava Ratugolea.
At the opposite finish, Cameron fired however was one in every of a number of Geelong gamers within the wars.
He had a nasty gash above his proper eye patched up and copped a heavy blow to the ribs in a final-quarter contest, whereas teammate Sam De Koning was cleared of concussion after a head knock.
Rhys Stanley copped a blow to the ribs in a ruck contest and was substituted out for debutant Cooper Whyte on the last change.
The Blues’ midfield was already lacking Sam Walsh (again) and George Hewett (hand) earlier than Patrick Cripps had his affect restricted by Mark Blicavs within the second time period.
But Cripps (27 disposals) and Matthew Kennedy (26) stood up, with Ed Curnow (26) and dashing defender Adam Saad (29) additionally influential.
Carlton made a late change earlier than the bounce, bringing in Marc Pittonet as ruck help for Tom De Koning, rather than small ahead Jack Martin.
De Koning held his personal in opposition to Stanley and Blicavs.
Small forwards Matthew Owies (three objectives), Jesse Motlop and Zac Fisher (one every) all complimented Curnow, although fellow tall Harry McKay was wasteful in ending with 1.1 from his 10 disposals.
Owies held his nerve to kick the Blues’ last aim of the evening from a set shot, holding off Geelong’s surge.
Cameron Guthrie (25 disposals), Isaac Smith (23), Max Holmes (23) and Patrick Dangerfield (22) had been among the many Cats’ chief ball-winners and Ollie Henry kicked two objectives.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
