A SHOULDER injury to skipper David Neitz and a report on defender Matthew Whelan have added to another disappointing day for Melbourne, after seven goals from Brendan Fevola helped inspire Carlton to a comfortable 33-point victory at the MCG on Sunday.
The Demons 9.14 (68) went down to the Blues 15.11 (101) meaning Melbourne remains winless five rounds into season.
Neitz injured his shoulder when he was tackled during the second term, forcing the club's games record holder to the bench for the second half. Whelan had his number taken for striking Fevola, in a match that had a niggling undercurrent.
Carlton set up its first back-to-back victory since rounds 10 and 11 last year with nine unanswered goals, from the 11-minute mark of the second quarter through to the six-minute mark of the final term when Demon Brad Green broke the drought.
Aside from an impressive period early in the second quarter and a much better final term - the Demons won the last quarter - Melbourne too often butchered the ball, kicked to contests with greater opposition numbers and failed to help out teammates in tight situations. The delivery inside 50 was also sloppy for much of the day.
Fevola was instrumental yet again for the Blues.
His bag now gives him 22 goals in the past three rounds. It was a super efficient display from Fevola, as he had just nine touches for the day.
For Melbourne, Cameron Bruce and Brad Green were Melbourne's best performers.
Bruce quelled the influence of key Carlton playmaker Nick Stevens for three quarters, winning 17 touches to 12 during this period, before he pushed forward in the final term. Green (25 disposals) and four goals battled hard all day.
Brock McLean ran with Carlton skipper Chris Judd for most of the day in a fascinating contest.
McLean finished with a game-high 32 disposals, but Judd was the difference when the game was in the balance. He finished with 26 touches and three goals.
Carlton got off to a flyer, booting the first three goals of the match.
The Demons looked set to post their first goal via Mark Jamar, who took a good pack mark mid-way through the term, but his shot from 20 metres slammed into the post.
It took reigning dual best-and-fairest winner James McDonald, who lined up at half-back on Carlton young-gun Marc Murphy, to register Melbourne's first for the day at the 15-minute mark.
Carlton took a 12-point lead into the first break, but that lead was quickly reeled in when Melbourne opened the second term with three in a row - including two from Green, who put the Demons in front at the nine-minute mark.
It was a much improved period for Melbourne, as its intensity and forward 50 entries were functioning much better. From this point, it looked like it was 'game-on'.
But when Darren Pfeiffer goaled and Judd, who brilliantly cleared the ball from the centre, immediately followed up with a typical dash down the field, it kick-started a seven-goal run from the Blues.
As a consequence, Melbourne's six-point lead at the nine-minute mark resulted in a 37-point deficit by half-time.
There was little to cheer about for the Demons at this point, although a brilliant hanger - and an early mark-of-the-year contender - from Russell Robertson gave them something to smile about.
The third quarter was a lacklustre display, with just two Carlton goals added for the term.
Carlton took a 49-point lead into the final stanza and although Melbourne dominated the last quarter - booting 5.5 to 3.1 - it proved far too late in the wash-up.
MATCH DETAILS
Melbourne 1.3 4.5 4.9 9.14 (68)
GOALS:
Melbourne
Melbourne
Umpires: Stevic, Stewart, Schmitt
Crowd: 44,159 at the MCG
