Geelong have celebrated Gary Ablett’s Kardinia Park homecoming with a hard-fought 28-point win over Carlton.
In his first game for the Cats at the venue since departing for a seven-season stint at Gold Coast, Ablett was influential in a dour 11.7 (73) to 5.15 (45) win on Saturday night.
The upstart Blues trailed by just eight points early in the final term but Tom Hawkins kicked two of the last three goals to seal the premiership points.
Geelong’s sixth win of the season was marred by an ugly leg injury to exciting youngster Esava Ratugolea.
The 19-year-old was sent to hospital after his right leg was broken when it was trapped beneath him in a marking contest in the second quarter.
Carlton had their chances to score an upset win in their first match at the ground since 1997 but were left to rue missed opportunities in front of goal.
Tom Stewart had a couple of uncharacteristic moments of ill-discipline but put in another eye-catching 28-possession display down back for the Cats.
Skipper Joel Selwood (20 disposals) struggled to shake an Ed Curnow tag but Patrick Dangerfield (29), Mitch Duncan (27) and Ablett (25) were prominent.
Evergreen Carlton defender Kade Simpson starred with 33 touches, while Patrick Cripps was a bull at the stoppages with 31 disposals.
Fireworks greeted Ablett and the Cats as they entered the arena.
In keeping with the celebratory atmosphere, debutant Jamaine Jones kicked the Cats’ first goal, returning champ Ablett the second and 100-gamer Jordan Murdoch the third.
The signs weren’t good for the visitors when Stewart Crameri added a fourth but the Blues steadied.
Goals to Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay cut the deficit to 11 points at the first break.
A week after Melbourne destroyed them by 109 points, Carlton dominated possession for much of the second term.
But they peppered the goals without finding the middle and were stung when Sam Menegola kicked the only goal of the quarter to put the Cats up by 14 points.
David Cunningham bounced through a long bomb late in the third quarter to keep the Blues in it at 12 points down at three-quarter time.
But Hawkins stepped up after a quiet night to take his tally to three majors, and Menegola put the icing on the cake with the best goal of the night with a minute left.
Harry Taylor was a late out for the Cats with a foot injury, and was replaced by Aaron Black.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Can I just point out by Friday there was about 225 comments on that Carlton piece and 3 on the Saints one Squeaky wheels, grease, clicks, ad revenue
Macca
Guest
Oh yes, "Belfast Mill" is imprinted on my brain. I much preferred when he rolled out the Wolfe Tones.
User
Roar Rookie
Macca our dads are alike, fureys when you were sweet 16 is still his go to album
Macca
Guest
Clean out at the top? How long have The CEO, President, Head recruiter, Coaching staff and board been in their current positions?
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
All I’ll say is you sure have a weird way of wanting a team to improve!
Mattyb
Guest
Don't be obtuse Maurice,we both want the blues to improve and I think the clean out is needed at the top,a few members are seeing the light in this regard. Your in the she'll be right brigade Are you going to beg me to approve of SOS and McKay now?
Macca
Guest
Carlton need a clean out? Where have you been since 2015?
Macca
Guest
Gee Don if you think that is a dummy spit you mustn't have kids. You really are struggling these days.
Don Freo
Guest
Like that.
mattyb
Guest
I'd suggest we certainly will get an article or two during the week. It seems that standards have dropped to such a low level some of the fans are up and about even after defeat,celebrating the fact they were not defeated by 10 goals,while desperately begging for some kind of approval like they would receive in the old VFL days. This is where the problem lays and is why Carlton need a clean out and fresh eyes,it's no longer the VFL and you can't expect or beg for approval,it has to be earned and 3 wooden spoons in one season isn't going to get the members or tv watches the approval they seek unfortunately.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I thought the new Han Solo guy might be terrible but the whole thing was done really well. Paul Bettany was best on ground, Chewbacca gets the rising Star Wars nom this week.
Macca
Guest
mattician- I even let the girls listen to their music on the way to school (unlike my Dad having the Fury's going - and he was the PE teacher so he often took friends of mine to sports events) and still get in trouble! My brother's son (10) has similar interest in music to his dad and i so I often go through him to get the girls to listen to my music but generally if I suggest it it gets ruled out before the first beat.
Macca
Guest
Mattician - I was just talking about Simon Peggs Spaced Star Wars views yesterday. Rick - if you liked Rogue one (and why wouldn't you) you won't be disappointed it's Solo.
User
Roar Rookie
My nephew grew up with second trilogy, many arguments with him about fact they suck, I go a bit like Simon pegg in spaced about second trilogy.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
I’m sure I’ll find time soon enough. Just need to lose another bet to inspire me. ?
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
I’ve seen everything Star Wars. Except Solo, of course. Still trying to forget the second trilogy though. Rogue One scores a 10/10 for Felicity Jones alone. Seriously hot!
User
Roar Rookie
You see rogue 1 rick? Can't come up with enough superlatives to describe how awesome it was.
User
Roar Rookie
Hahaha probably, we have a deal in my house that when he talks about gaming too much I get to talk about black metal, it works I don't hear much about gaming now ;) you should feel for my wife she's contractually obligated to listen to me lol
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
There was a second trilogy?
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
listen to metal And that's probably the problem ;)