Charlie Curnow shines as Carlton defeat reigning premiers Geelong

Carlton has defeated Geelong in an old fashioned shootout, leaving the AFL’s reigning premiers winless after two rounds.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 23: Charlie Curnow of the Blues (L) celebrates with Jacob Weitering of the Blues on the final siren after winning the round two AFL match between Carlton Blues and Geelong Cats at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on March 23, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Charlie Curnow has come out on top of his 11-goal heavyweight shootout with Jeremy Cameron as Carlton won a thriller by eight points against Geelong at the MCG on Thursday night.

Cameron played one of the best games of his stellar career, racking up 25 disposals, eight marks and six goals, but it wasn’t enough to drag his team over the line.

Watch every match of every round of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Down the other end, Curnow exploited a Geelong backline that was missing Tom Stewart (knee), Jack Henry (foot), Jake Kolodjashnij (concussion), to finish with 11 touches, nine marks and five majors as the Blues ran out 13.12 (90) to 12.10 (82) winners.

Curnow stamped his authority on the contest in the middle two quarters, kicking four of six Carlton goals at one stage, to help propel his team 28 points clear late in the third quarter as the Blues’ midfield got right on top of Geelong’s.

Charlie Curnow was on fire for Carlton. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

However, the Cats kicked four of the last five goals, including three to Cameron, the second of which came courtesy of an ill-directed Mitch McGovern kick-in that went straight to the Geelong sharpshooter, to trim the deficit to eight points late in the final quarter.

Geelong managed to apply enormous pressure to Carlton who came to a standstill after dominating much of the match.

The Cats had their chances to snatch the victory, too. When they were down by eight points with 2:20 to go, Tanner Bruhn won a contested ball against Adam Cerra, span out of traffic magnificently and had the chance to spot up Tyson Stengle, but kicked it out on the full.

And with 40 seconds remaining, and Geelong still down by eight, Jack Bowes kicked it to Cameron at centre-half forward, however Lewis Young strongly outmarked him, sealing the result. Harry McKay was also massive late, taking three contested marks.

After being denied victory in their previous three games by goals kicked by the opposition in the last 11, 102 and 17 seconds respectively, the Blues breathed a huge sigh of relief when they finally saw themselves with a bigger score on the final siren, ending a five-game winless run.

Jeremy Cameron kept Geelong in the game. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

In the end, the Blues finished well on top in disposals (382-328) and contested possessions (136-120).

Adam Saad (29 disposals) was also huge for the Blues as he did a great defensive job on the dangerous Tyson Stengle, Jacob Weitering kept Tom Hawkins quiet, while Patrick Cripps (27 touches), Blake Acres (26) and Matthew Kennedy (26) were also influential.

Worryingly for the Cats, almost like what happened in their season opener against Collingwood, for large parts of the middle two quarters, Carlton’s leg speed and pressure overwhelmed them and they were made to look tired and slow before their final-quarter resurgence.

And Hawkins could find himself in MRO trouble after whacking Weitering in a marking contest in the first quarter, momentarily dazing the Carlton defender and forcing him from the field with a bloodied nose. Weitering resumed his spot shortly after.

Michael Voss had reason to smile. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

HOLLANDS STAND TALL

In the final quarter with the Cats down by 16 points, Cameron charged out and attempted to take a chest mark 25m out from goal, but Carlton youngster Ollie Hollands in his second game put his body on the line, went in the hole and spoiled Cameron.

MCGOVERN MAKES AMENDS

After gifting Cameron his fifth goal, McGovern went some way to making amends five minutes later when he ran down Cameron at the top of the goalsquare and prevented a certain goal as the Blue’s pressure act ensured the Geelong forward missed to the right

BOWES BLOWS IT

New Geelong recruit Bowes had the chance to trim the margin to nine points with six minutes left, but his set shot from 30m out barely snuck in for a behind, letting the Blues off the hook.

DURDIN DAZZLER

The Blues knew it was their night midway through the third quarter when small forward Corey Durdin’s checkside punt from 35m out on the boundary line, while being tackled by Patrick Dangerfield, miraculously floated through the big sticks to put his team 28 points to the good.