Plenty of hype surrounded the return of Carlton champion Chris Judd on Friday night, and he didn't disappoint, making a superb comeback from a hamstring injury. Judd had not played an AFL game since round five earlier this season, where he lasted six minutes before being injured against the Western Bulldogs, and came in off one game in the VFL to get his match conditioning in tune. But on Friday night, the dual Brownlow medallist looked like he'd never been away. He had three possessions in the first three minutes of the game, going on to record 17 in the first half. He continued his stellar form in the second half to go on and gather 26 disposals on the night. A vintage display. 

Carlton has been persistent with young forward Levi Casboult since picking him in the 2010 Rookie Draft. The Blues have given him the opportunity to establish himself as a permanent forward, elevating him to the senior list in 2012. In the first half against the Hawks, he repaid the Blues' faith. Casboult clunked almost everything that came his way, his second quarter pack mark being the pick of the bunch. It prompted legendary Hawks forward Jason Dunstall to label him as "one of the best marking forwards going around". His goal kicking – not generally one of his strong suits – was also spot on, his set-shot kicks sailing post high on the way through the big sticks. The 24-year-old finished with a career-high four goals. 

It was silly and uncalled for, but Cyril Rioli may be able to count himself extremely lucky for a moment of madness in the third quarter. Rioli was reported for rough conduct on Zach Tuohy, but replays suggested that there wasn't a lot in the clash. The star Hawk made a clumsy attempt to tackle Tuohy in the first minute of the third term, almost delivering a coat hanger as the Blues' defender ducked to avoid the pressure. The reactions of the Carlton players said plenty, with Judd and ruckman Robert Warnock fiercely remonstrating with Rioli. It wasn't the only incident that sparked emotions between the sides on Friday night, with Dennis Armfield also likely to come under scrutiny for high contact on Grant Birchall in the second quarter.   

Last Friday night, Sam Rowe was monstered by Geelong forward Tom Hawkins. Hawkins kicked four goals in a scintillating first-half display before coach Mick Malthouse was forced to use Michael Jamison to try to contain the Cats' spearhead. With Jamison a late withdrawal on Friday night, Rowe was again a handed the big job in defence, this time attempting to curtail Jarryd Roughead. Instead of wilting under the pressure again, Rowe stood up to play one of his best games for the club. The Blues defender held Roughead – who booted eight majors against West Coast last week – to three goals and just 12 possessions. Rowe certainly took the points in a superb stopping job.

Game 700 did not have the fairytale finish Mick Malthouse wanted. But he would have been proud of his charges all the same. The Blues pushed the Hawks the whole way on Friday night, but as has come to be expected from Malthouse-led teams, the Blues did not yield in the face of pressure. Although the Blues coach said he doesn't want things to be about him, his coaching record speaks for itself. Malthouse became only the second man to coach 700 VFL/AFL games, following legendary Collingwood coach Jock McHale (714). His games tally includes 135 games with Footscray, 243 games with West Coast, 286 games with Collingwood and 36 games so far with Carlton.