A MAGNIFICENT eight-goal performance by Carlton full-forward Brendan Fevola has given the Blues their second win over Collingwood in as many starts this year, with Carlton leaping into the top eight after a 30-point victory at the MCG.
Fevola, who kicked seven goals when the sides met in round four, kicked four fourth-term majors as Carlton ran out 17.17 (119) to 12.17 (89) winners.
North Melbourne's heavy loss to Fremantle yesterday afternoon ensured the Blues leapfrogged the Kangaroos into the eight after the momentous win in front of 80,310 fans. The Blues haven't been inside the top eight after round 12 since 2001.
Scores were tied at three-quarter time, and after Carlton took the lead with a rushed behind just 24 seconds into the last term, Leon Davis put the Pies back in front when he rushed into an open goal after a minute had elapsed.
An extraordinary snap while on the ground from Fevola gave the Blues the lead once more before Dane Swan made it three lead changes in five minutes when he snapped truly for Collingwood from an inside 50 ruck contest.
Fevola then kicked his sixth after a superb left-foot pass by Chris Judd for the eighth lead change for the match at the 10-minute mark. With neither team managing back-to-back goals for the term, Simon Wiggins stepped up for the Blues with a classy finish, and Fevola's seventh for the match gave Carlton a stunning 14-point lead with under 10 minutes to play, the Blues snaring three goals in six minutes.
Paul Medhurst gave the Pies hope with a mark and goal from just five metres out, his fourth for the afternoon, to narrow Carlton's lead to eight points. Jarrad Waite then snuffed out any chance of a Collingwood revival when he kicked his second of the half with six minutes to play.
Nick Stevens kicked his first for the match with his 20th possession at the 25-minute mark as the Blues celebrated back-to-back wins for the second time this season. A goal by 150-gamer Heath Scotland inside the last minute – and Fevola's eighth after the siren – were the icing on Carlton's cake.
Following his seven-goal effort in round four against the Magpies, the Carlton spearhead kicked 8.6 and had 22 possessions to go with 10 marks on Sunday, while young gun Marc Murphy had 31 touches to lead the Blues.
Collingwood was led by Swan's 27 possessions and two goals in a typically hard-working display after a slow start. Medhurst had 21 possessions, 11 marks and four goals.
Collingwood kicked three of the first four goals of the third term to take what appeared to be a decisive 25-point lead at the 12-minute mark, following Medhurst's third goal for the match and second in the quarter.
Looking to be on the ropes, Carlton responded with goals to Waite and impressive youngster Dennis Armfield within 45 seconds of one another midway through the term to bring the Blues back within 10 points, and after Travis Cloke nailed a long bomb for the Pies, Brad Fisher converted for Carlton from the goalsquare to make it four goals apiece for the quarter.
Fevola's third for the match from 25 metres after a strong mark brought the resurgent Blues within four points with four minutes remaining in the term, and was Carlton's fifth goal for the quarter after managing just three for the entire first half.
Fevola's fourth for the match after a free kick with 50 seconds remaining ensured scores were deadlocked at 9.13 (67) with a quarter to play.
Earlier, Collingwood took a 10-point lead at half time, 5.8 (38) to 3.10 (28).
The lead changed hands three times in the second term before Collingwood's Swan kicked a goal after a free kick from right in front to give the Magpies the advantage at the 24-minute mark of the term.
After Swan's major, Medhurst gave the Pies their largest lead of the half with an accurate snap 90 seconds before the siren, his 13th possession of a damaging opening two terms.
Carlton dominated the first quarter but couldn't make it count on the scoreboard, with a wasteful Blues leading by nine points, 2.7 (19) to 1.4 (10), at the opening change.
Both teams entered the round 12 match as named.
Carlton 2.7 3.10 9.13 17.17 (119)
Collingwood 1.4 5.8 9.13 12.17 (89)
GOALS
Carlton: Fevola 8, Waite 2, Scotland 2, Thornton, Armfield, Fisher, Wiggins, Stevens
Collingwood: Medhurst 4, Swan 2, Burns, Thomas, Lockyer, O'Bree, Cloke, Davis
BEST
Carlton: Fevola, Murphy, Judd, Waite, Scotland, Carrazzo
Collingwood: Swan, Medhurst, O'Bree, Cloke, Lockyer, R. Shaw
INJURIES
Carlton: Nil
Collingwood: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Farmer, Kennedy, Schmitt
Official crowd: 80,310 at the MCG
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
