Carlton take down Collingwood to put rest of the AFL on notice

Carlton have put the rest of the AFL on notice after taking down powerhouse Collingwood in wild scenes.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 28: Jesse Motlop of the Blues celebrates a goal during the round 20 AFL match between Collingwood Magpies and Carlton Blues at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on July 28, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Carlton officially mean business in 2023.

The Blues have done what so many other clubs have failed to do this season and taken down the mighty Collingwood.

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In front of a raucous MCG crowd, the Blues proved too strong throughout the contest and ran away to record the 14.9 (93) to 10.16 (76) victory.

It marks their sixth straight win and launches them into fifth spot on the ladder, marking their first time inside the top eight in three months.

Michael Voss’ men hunted the Pies in packs all game long as Collingwood continually wilted under the pressure being thrust upon them.

Charlie Curnow was once again at his dominant best in front of goal, slotting a game-high six goals to extend his lead atop the Coleman Medal standings.

Despite the loss snapping a streak of five-straight wins, Collingwood will remain, at best, a game clear on top of the ladder with four rounds to go in the season.

The Blues are the real deal. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Holding a 19-point lead entering the final quarter the thoughts circled around the football world that Collingwood were once again going to display their fourth quarter prowess.

Those hopes were squashed as Carlton kicked the opening three goals of the quarter to all but seal up the four points.

Without star midfielder Sam Walsh in the team after he suffered a hamstring injury, fellow Blues stood tall.

Nic Newman led the way with a team-high 27 disposals ahead of Blake Acres on 23 disposals.

Collingwood dominated the possession count with seven players recording more than 21 disposals compared to Carlton’s two.

Carlton pulverised Collingwood in contested possessions 138-108 and clearances 41-31, and their pressure was underscored by their doubling of the Pies for tackles inside 50 (12-6).

The Magpies actually had more inside 50s (53-49), but were let down by horrible goalkicking, particularly from set shots with 9.7 to Carlton’s 10.2.

They’re roaring towards the finals. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

With only four games to go in the home and away season, the Blues are staring down the barrel of a serious September push.

They will probably only have to win two of their last four games to make the finals, and with St Kilda, Melbourne, Gold Coast (away) and GWS in their run home, their destiny is well and truly in their own hands.

Collingwood have been the benchmark of 2023 from the early stages and will remain the clear premiership favourite a month out from finals.

They’ll close out their season with a tough run home with games against Hawthorn, Geelong, Brisbane and Essendon.

- with Ronny Lerner, NCA Newswire

Originally published as Carlton take down Collingwood to put rest of the AFL on notice