The Blues looked to have set up the win at half time with a 41-point lead but the final scoreline of 18.11 (119) to 15.10 (100) came after the Lions had closed to within 12 points early in the last quarter following an inspired burst in the third term.
In the final analysis Carlton’s superior use of the ball, greater pace and depth in midfield won the day, as Chris Judd, Marc Murphy and Bryce Gibbs led the charge. Brendan Fevola kicked five goals for the victors, and Eddie Betts added three classics of his own.
Lions stalwarts Luke Power and Simon Black were also powerful forces for their side, while Daniel Bradshaw managed six goals from just 11 kicks.
In bad news for the Lions, skipper Jonathan Brown was reported for alleged rough conduct on Murphy in the final quarter.
Carlton flashed out of the blocks at the start as Fevola showed the way with a fine run-down tackle on Mitch Clark and put through the first goal one minute into the game.
But the Lions were able to match everything that Carlton served up in a fast and open game.
The midfield battles were even early, with Judd and Murphy setting the tone for the Blues, but as the quarter progressed Power and Black won an increasing share of the football.
In his first game for the year Black started on the bench, but he immediately exerted a major influence when called into action and a sizzling pass to set up Jonathan Brown’s second goal was a vintage cameo.
The Lions moved the ball fast and low into attack and Brown and Bradshaw were giving them a focus with long leads.
Carlton hit back in the latter part of the first quarter and trailed by a point at the first change.
Fevola looked to be favouring his injured ankle, but was still able to steer a check-side shot through after marking 20m out on an angle. Gibbs followed up a couple of minutes later when he took advantage of a 50m penalty.
At the other end the visitors' two power forwards, Brown and Bradshaw, looked dangerous whenever the ball entered their zone and Bradshaw coolly kicked another. But the Lions had injury concerns as Clark limped off with an ankle problem.
Earlier in the night Ashley McGrath had hurt a leg, but he returned to the play after 15 minutes on the bench.
Carlton took charge of the midfield through Judd, Murphy and Gibbs and put the Lions defence under relentless pressure.
By the time Cameron Cloke powered through a long goal from 50m the Blues had broken away to a 22-point lead.
The efficiency of their ball use was slicing up the Lions.
Ryan Houlihan and Richard Hadley each added goals as the home side constantly won the ball out of the middle. Murphy sidestepped beautifully in time-on for another goal and the half-time gap of 41 points looked to be a match-winning one.
Carlton had lost defender Michael Jamison with a shoulder injury but initially it made little difference as the midfield dominance continued to choke supply to the Lions' attack in the third quarter.
The Lions use of the ball had deteriorated dramatically since the first quarter as Carlton’s had become more precise.
But then the visitors suddenly turned the tide, and in the space of 11 minutes slammed on six unanswered goals despite Carlton’s attempts to slow the tempo of play. The lead had been slashed from 48 points to a bridgeable 17.
They could have added another goal when Black and Brown ran into each other as they desperately competed for the same mark 15m from goal. Carlton spirited the ball away and the three-quarter time siren sounded with the Blues 18 points up.
Bradshaw narrowly missed a chance for his fifth, but Carlton raced the ball downfield for Murphy to kick a glorious goal from 40m on the run, and then Fevola outmanoeuvred his opponent to add another.
Still, the Lions wouldn’t lie down and goals to Bradshaw and Sherman (twice) kept the door open with the difference cut to just 12 points.
In a crucial turnover Kade Simpson intercepted Black’s handpass and fired the ball into the square, where Fevola soared for a mark that produced his fourth goal and gave the Blues some breathing space. Moments later he snapped another to make the game safe.
CARLTON 3.2 11.5 13.8 18.11 (119)
BRISBANE LIONS 3.3 4.6 10.8 15.10 (100)
GOALS
Carlton: Fevola 5, Betts 3, Murphy 3, Cloke 2, Gibbs 2, Hadley, Houlihan, Judd.
Brisbane Lions: Bradshaw 6, Brown 3, Hooper 2, Sherman 2, Johnstone, McGrath.
BEST
Carlton: Gibbs, Judd, Murphy, Fevola, Hadley, Kreuzer, Waite, Houlihan.
Brisbane Lions: Power, Bradshaw, Black, Drummond, Brown, Rich, Adcock.
INJURIES
Carlton: Jamison (shoulder)
Brisbane Lions: McGrath (corked thigh), Clark (thigh), Hooper (ankle), Selwood (head knock)
Reports: Jonathan Brown (Brisbane Lions) reported by emergency umpire Troy Pannell in the fourth quarter for rough conduct on Marc Murphy.
Umpires: Rosebury, Chamberlain, Keating
Official crowd: 42,496 at Docklands
