A FIRST-HALF goalkicking onslaught has powered Carlton to a 22-point victory over reigning premiers the Sydney Swans in their NAB Cup clash at Blacktown on Sunday.
The Blues won 1.5.7 (46) to the Swans' 0.3.6 (24).
The Blues were all over the Swans in the first half, dominating time in their forward half as they notched 19 inside 50s to the Swans' four.
Malthouse reign off to winning start
The Blues' forward supremacy ensured plenty of opportunities on the scoreboard with midfielders Brock McLean (11 touches), Marc Murphy (11) and Bryce Gibbs (nine) all impressing.
Eddie Betts offered his bid for the best goal of the NAB Cup so far, rivalling Majak Daw's effort on Friday night.
Betts won the clearance from the middle and followed the play to where a large pack was converging at centre half-forward.
The Blues forward gathered the ball cleanly at full-tilt, burst through traffic and steadied his momentum before coolly slotting the goal on the run.
Giants deliver notice against Swans
Betts' goal opened the floodgates, with the Blues slamming on five goals - including a super-goal to Tom Bell - to the Swans' none.
The Blues led 29-0 following Bell's nine-pointer, contrasting their earlier game against the Giants where they trailed for much of the game.
Only adding to the Blues' advantage was the tumbling rain and stormy atmosphere that made life difficult for both sides.
After the interval, the Swans managed their first goal 10 minutes in to the second half, through key forward Tommy Walsh.
However, Bryce Gibbs' experience was telling as he kicked a superb goal on his left boot late in the second half, to assure the Blues back-to-back victories in Mick Malthouse's first games in charge.
What the coach said
"Probably the only real positive to come out of it wasto get some game time into some players. That was probably about it. There weren't really any players in good form and we lost a lot of key areas in both games that we wanted to put a better effort in." - John Longmire
AFL Fantasy snapshot
Levi Casboult (FWD, $283,600) has one of those names that pops, but it was his on-field movement that caught the eye in his tally of 31 AFL Fantasy points. In the absence of Jarrad Waite, the forward presented strongly and took a strong contested mark and finished with one goal. With a spot in Mick Malthouse's revamped forward line on offer, Casboult put his hand up for the role by displaying his strong work-rate. Casboult may also spend time as a pinch-hit ruckman, which will only enhance his fantasy prospects throughout the season.
SYDNEY SWANS 0.2.2 0.3.6 (24)
CARLTON 1.4.5 1.5.7 (46)
SUPERGOALS
Sydney Swans: Nil
Carlton: Bell
GOALS
Sydney Swans: Walsh, Johnson, Reid,
Carlton: Betts, Casboult, Ellard, Hampson
BEST:
Sydney Swans: McVeigh, K. Jack, O'Keefe, Johnson, Walsh
Carlton: McLean, Murphy, Walker, Lucas, Gibbs, Hampson
INJURIES
Sydney Swans: Nil
Carlton: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Donlon, Hosking, Elsworthy
Crowd: 4,078 at Blacktown International Sportspark
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
