Blue-ribbon day – Carlton outlast Cats in tense MCG blockbuster

Harry McKay has stood tall to lead Carlton to victory kicking the steadying goal to halt a desperate Geelong comeback in a win that puts the Blues back in the hunt for 2025.

He took five contested marks, kicked two goals and three contested marks down the line when the game was up for grabs to ensure victory for the Blues. McKay wasn’t best on ground but it was an influential return from personal issues and then concussion as he stood tall when the game was up for grabs.

His effort came with 10 minutes remaining in the match after Geelong kicked the first three goals of the final quarter to drag back to within 11 points after leading by 28 points at the final break.

Carlton deserved the win in front of ex-Blues celebrating their 1995 premiership as they dominated clearances and placed enough pressure on the Geelong’s defence at ground level to force them into mistakes with the Cats recording 13 clangers in the third quarter.

Tom De Koning was outstanding in the ruck setting the team alight at stoppage as their midfielders kicked to McKay and Charlie Curnow inside 50 for virtually the first time this season.

The Cats’ runners Max Holmes and Bailey Smith were no match for the Blues’ strongmen with Holmes eventually moved to half-back as Chris Scott tried to neutralise Carlton’s midfield advantage.

Geelong wilted under the Blues pressure and coughed up the ball to Nick Haynes, who looked like David Rhys-Jones in the 1987 grand final, with seven intercept marks in the first three quarters.

Sam Walsh (30 disposals), Patrick Cripps (28) and George Hewett (29) exposed the Cats’ midfield and they did so after losing Zac Williams to a calf injury in the first quarter.

It was Hewett who kicked the sealer with a massive goal from the 50-metre line with five minutes remaining.

Thanks for joining us for our live coverage of Carlton’s blockbuster win over Geelong at the MCG.

The Blues advance to a 3-4 record after a horrendous 0-4 start to the season.

Geelong fall to 4-3.

Stay tuned for more news from this game on our website, including a report from our journalist at the game, Peter Ryan.

Thanks for your company and enjoy the rest of your evening.

George Hewett celebrates his sealer against Geelong today.Credit: AFL Photos

Patrick Cripps celebrating kicking a goal in Carlton’s dominant win over West Coast on April 18.Credit: Getty Images

Adam Saad of the Blues is chaired off in his 200th game during the round five match between Carlton and West Coast at Adelaide Oval.Credit: Getty Images

Harry McKay has stood tall to lead Carlton to victory kicking the steadying goal to halt a desperate Geelong comeback in a win that puts the Blues back in the hunt for 2025.

He took five contested marks, kicked two goals and three contested marks down the line when the game was up for grabs to ensure victory for the Blues. McKay wasn’t best on ground but it was an influential return from personal issues and then concussion as he stood tall when the game was up for grabs.

His effort came with 10 minutes remaining in the match after Geelong kicked the first three goals of the final quarter to drag back to within 11 points after leading by 28 points at the final break.

Carlton deserved the win in front of ex-Blues celebrating their 1995 premiership as they dominated clearances and placed enough pressure on the Geelong’s defence at ground level to force them into mistakes with the Cats recording 13 clangers in the third quarter.

Tom De Koning was outstanding in the ruck setting the team alight at stoppage as their midfielders kicked to McKay and Charlie Curnow inside 50 for virtually the first time this season.

The Cats’ runners Max Holmes and Bailey Smith were no match for the Blues’ strongmen with Holmes eventually moved to half-back as Chris Scott tried to neutralise Carlton’s midfield advantage.

Geelong wilted under the Blues pressure and coughed up the ball to Nick Haynes, who looked like David Rhys-Jones in the 1987 grand final, with seven intercept marks in the first three quarters.

Sam Walsh (30 disposals), Patrick Cripps (28) and George Hewett (29) exposed the Cats’ midfield and they did so after losing Zac Williams to a calf injury in the first quarter.

It was Hewett who kicked the sealer with a massive goal from the 50-metre line with five minutes remaining.

Carlton have hung onto their lead to triumph 14.10 (94) to 12.4 (76) against Geelong at the MCG, collecting their third win in a row.

An early surge from Geelong was rebuffed by Carlton goals from Harry McKay, Brad Close and George Hewett.

Harry McKay kicked three for the Blues.Credit: AFL Photos

George Hewett may have just kicked the game winner for Carlton. Hewett kicked truly from outside 50m on a set shot, to extend the margin to 18 points with only three minutes remaining.

Carlton 14.10 (94) lead Geelong 12.4 (76) with three minutes remaining in Q4.

Brad Close has snapped a goal after a savvy crumb to bring the margin to within two goals.

Carlton 13.10 (88) lead Geelong 12.4 (76) with 8 minutes remaining i Q4.

Harry McKay has juggled a mark at the top of the goal square with the contested mark leading to Carlton’s first goal of the quarter.

It’ll help settle the nerves of Blues fans after an early surge from Geelong.

Carlton 13.9 (87) lead Geelong 11.4 (70) with 11 minutes remaining in Q4.

Goal number three for Harry McKay.Credit: Getty Images

Take a look at this bit of play from Patrick Dangerfield, which Peter Ryan has described as “Dangerfield channelling Jonah Lomu” to create a goal for Bailey Smith.

Uh oh. After dominating the ball for three quarters, Carlton are now being beaten squarely at stoppages.

Geelong have five clearances to Carlton’s zero, and they’ve punished them on the scoreboard.

Mark Blicavs kicked a set shot to draw the margin just to 16. Bailey Smith then thumped a drop punt from about 50 meters out to narrow the deficit to 10 points.

Carlton 12.8 (80) lead Geelong 10.4 (64)

Jeremy Cameron has kicked his fourth goal of the game, just 15 seconds into the fourth quarter.

It’s the ideal start for Geelong, who cut the margin to 22 points with barely any time coming off the clock.

Carlton 12.8 (80) lead Geelong 9.4 (58) with 19 minutes remaining in Q4.