Carlton has triumphed after a hard-fought contest against the Kangaroos at Telstra Dome on Saturday, winning by nine points after a frantic final quarter.
The Blues outlasted the Roos to win 18.14 (122) to 16.17 (113).
Brendan Fevola kicked eight goals in a wonderful four-quarter effort, sealing the win with his final goal, pushing the Blues to a 22-point lead deep in time-on of the final term.
He kept his side in the contest early with four first-half goals and put Carlton in a winning position with three in the third quarter thanks to terrific drive through the middle from reliable Blues Adrian Hickmott, Darren Hulme and Matthew Lappin.
Carlton had a 13-point cushion at three-quarter time and had to withstand a ferocious challenge from its opponent, the Kangaroos drawing to within three points when Corey Jones goaled 11 minutes into the last quarter.
Both teams kicked six goals during a pacy fourth term, the Blues showing the fight and determination so typical of a side coached by Denis Pagan.
For the Kangaroos, Leigh Harding kicked four - including two in the last term - while Brent Harvey managed three goals.
The victory moves Carlton to a 2-3 record while the Kangaroos - after starting the season with two wins and a draw - have now lost their last two games.
The Kangaroos started confidently and were two goals up after four minutes, David King scoring from outside 50 and Brent Harvey on the end of an errant Anthony Koutoufides handball 25 metres out from goal.
The players struggled to hit their targets, particularly going forward, during a largely forgettable second quarter that contained an 11-minute period without a goal to either side.
When the drought did eventually break, it was Carlton that emerged, booting the next five majors, with goals to Luke Livingston and spearhead Fevola, giving the Blues a four-point edge at the long break.
When Carlton added three more during the opening minutes of the third term to lead by 14 points, it had gained momentum and more importantly lifted its standard.
Suddenly swift and precise ball movement coupled with accurate delivery became the order of the day, as the match sprung to life after a sluggish first half.
But the Kangaroos, conscious of last week’s third quarter capitulation to Fremantle where they conceded 10 goals in the same period, refused to yield and responded with typical Shinboner spirit.
After Harvey was gifted a goal when Simon Wiggins clattered into his back after marking 25 metres out from goal, Daniel Motlop produced two pieces of brilliance to reduce to gap to just two points.
Motlop soccered home from close range when Harvey tapped-on, then kicked truly following a strong contested mark at edge of the square.
Carlton was forced to rise again and to its credit it did, booting three of the four goals in time-on to give itself a 13-point cushion entering the final stanza.
In the next round, the Kangaroos are again at Telstra Dome, hosting Adelaide on Friday night while Carlton plays Hawthorn at Optus Oval the next day.
KANGAROOS: 4.2, 6.5, 10.10, 16.17 (113)
CARLTON: 3.6, 6.9, 12.11, 18.14 (122)
GOALS: Kangaroos: Harding 4, Harvey 3, Grant, D.Motlop 2, Stevens, Jones, Baird, King, Makepeace.
Carlton: Fevola 8, Hickmott, Houlihan 3, McKernan, Livingston, Fisher, Murphy.
BEST: Kangaroos: Grant, Harvey, Stevens, Brown, Sinclair, Simpson, Makepeace.
Carlton: Fevola, Hickmott, Hulme, McKay, Camporeale, Murphy, Houlihan.
CHANGES: Kangaroos: Rocca replaced in selected side by S.Motlop. Carlton: Martyn replaced in selected side by Prendergast.
REPORTS: Nil.
UMPIRES: Morris, McKenzie, Margetts
CROWD: 38,094 at Telstra Dome
