COLLINGWOOD has seen off an early challenge to defeat Carlton by 28 points in front of a huge crowd at the MCG on Friday night.The Blues impressed early and held a slender lead at quarter time, but a second-term burst from the Pies established a lead they did not relinquish on their way to a 15.12 (102) to 11.8 (74) win before 88,181 fans. The game lived up to its blockbuster billing early with the Blues absorbing some punishment, delivered primarily by Jarryd Blair who booted Collingwood's first two goals, then hitting back hard to edge in front by a point at the first break.The swift movement that had been a feature of Carlton's game slowed significantly in the second quarter and with the ball camped in Collingwood's attacking half Andrew Krakouer led a charge that saw the Pies establish a 27-point lead at half time.But the scoreboard blowout that usually follows when the Pies kick their game into a higher gear did not eventuate as the Blues regained their nerve during the break and mustered another challenge.They booted the first two goals of the third quarter to put some doubt in their opponents' minds, but for all their good work, two lapses resulted in another two goals to Blair that restored the 27-point margin. Blair was to finish with five goals.Michael Jamison had enjoyed the better of his tussle with Chris Dawes for most of the night, but when the Magpie full-forward slotted his second goal early in the final term it effectively ended the Blues' challenge.

Influential players
The Pies had a pair of important bookends in Jarryd Blair and Heath Shaw. Blair's five goals were a highlight up forward while Shaw's rebound from defence was pivotal.Chris Judd set the tone for the Blues with his pressure on the ball carrier with eight tackles, but he also led the way with 24 possessions.

What it means
It means the Pies passed their first real test of the season with reasonable ease. The Blues showed it might be premature to hand over the premiership cup just yet with opposition coaches sure to learn from their first quarter tactics, but a 28-point margin over a top-four contender is not to be sniffed at.It also means Brett Ratten is on the right track. Only the most diehard Blues fans would have been confident of a win going into the match, but to see the way Ratten's men pushed the Magpies early will at least give confidence that next time will be a different proposition altogether.

The next four
Collingwood: Richmond (MCG), Essendon (MCG), Western Bulldogs (MCG), Bye
Carlton: Essendon (MCG), Adelaide (Etihad Stadium), Sydney Swans (SCG), St Kilda (Etihad Stadium)

Dream Team highlight
Collingwood:
Dane Swan continued on with his prolific scoring ways with 116 points to edge out Heath Shaw who finished strongly to register a score of 105.

Carlton:
Chris Judd led the way for the Blues with 104 points but the Dream Team success story continues to be prolific rookie Ed Curnow, who scored 100 in another display sure to delight Dream Team coaches everywhere.

What the coaches said
Mick Malthouse:
"We tried to do a few things that are not anywhere near what we expect of our playing group and I'm talking about kicks that were not to the right position - we were too clever - kicks that weren't ideally where we needed it or how we wanted it. It's got nothing to do with selfish, it's just not good football."

Brett Ratten:
"I think we've taken a step in the right direction. I suppose you come to these games and you reflect and say 'Did we earn respect?' and I don't think we lost respect, but I don't know how much we earned either. I think we've made inroads in our approach to the game, but still it's a 28-point loss to a very god opposition. There were things to like and things not to like as well."

Aesthetics
In a time of zone defences and forward presses this was a highly entertaining contest that didn't often degenerate into the sort of uncontested, chip-around footy that drives fans to despair as each side tries to pick its way through the zone. The smothering and tackling of each team was a sight to behold as they stood toe to toe and traded blows before Collingwood gained the upper hand. 

Turning point
Ratten will be left lamenting a 15-minute burst of football in the second quarter that shifted the match heavily in Collingwood's favour. After the teams traded goals in the opening minutes of the term, Andrew Krakouer snapped a brilliant major to spark a run of four goals that Carlton was not able to reel in despite its best efforts in the third quarter.

Collingwood    4.2    9.7    12.8    15.12 (102)
Carlton    4.3    5.4    8.5    11.8 (74)

GOALS
Collingwood: Blair 5, Dawes 3, Krakouer 2, Cloke 2, Jolly, Didak, Ball
Carlton: Garlett 3, Waite 2, Hampson, Simpson, Thornton, Robinson, Gibbs, Betts

BEST
Collingwood: Shaw, Blair, Swan, Sidebottom, Ball, Johnson, Cloke
Carlton: Judd, Scotland, Yarran, Curnow, Gibbs, Garlett

INJURIES
Collingwood: Nil
Carlton: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Collingwood: Alan Toovey replaced by Leon Davis in the fourth quarter.
Carlton: Andrew Walker replaced by Andrew Collins in the third quarter.

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Stevic, Ryan, Meredith

Official crowd: 88,181 at the MCGThe views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs