CARLTON has scraped home to defeat the Brisbane Lions by 13 points at the Gabba on Saturday night, moving into the top eight for the first time this season.
Despite some terrible kicking at goal that left the door ajar for the Lions until the dying minutes, the Blues hung on to win 13.20 (98) to 12.13 (85).
In a see-sawing contest played in in perfect conditions, the Blues led by 32 points during the second quarter only to lose the lead before half-time, then seemingly had control for most of the second half without burying their opponents.
They kicked 5.13 after the main break and the Lions weren't much better, kicking 3.9.
But the Blues thoroughly deserved their victory, hunting in midfield packs to win the disposal count (344-293) and inside 50s (58-43).
Brock McLean was superb with 25 disposals, including eight clearances, before being taken off with a heavy head knock midway through the final term.
Jarrad Waite continued to show just how valuable he is in the forward line, giving Joel Patfull headaches all night.
Waite grabbed 12 marks – seven of them contested – and despite having his usual troubles in front of goal (3.3), he was arguably the difference between the teams.
It was a poor night for the Lions who not only lost the match, but suffered an injury to ruckman Matthew Leuenberger (dislocated finger), while co-captain Jonathan Brown could face trouble with the match review panel.
Just seven days after losing defenders Daniel Merrett and Justin Clarke to suspension, Brown was involved in a third-quarter incident with Blues defender Michael Jamison.
Brown appeared to collect Jamison with a left forearm to the head with enough force to have the Blue holding his head for the next three minutes.
Carlton led by more than five goals at the 13-minute mark of the second term before an extraordinary burst by the Lions changed the game.
In the space of 13 minutes, the hosts slammed on six goals to take an unlikely half-time lead.
Brent Moloney was the catalyst with 10 disposals, three clearances and two goals as the Lions' pressure went from non-existent to rabid in the space of a few minutes.
But they couldn't maintain the rage after half-time and Carlton ran over the top.
BRISBANE LIONS 3.1 9.4 10.10 12.13 (85)
CARLTON 6.5 8.7 12.13 13.20 (98)
GOALS
Brisbane Lions: Bewick 3, Moloney 2, Rockliff, Polkinghorne, Staker, Brown, Redden, Green, Hanley
Carlton: Lucas 3, Waite 3, Robinson 2, Garlett 2, Murphy, Armfield, Judd
BEST
Brisbane Lions: Hanley, Bewick, Moloney, Black
Carlton: McLean, Waite, Judd, Murphy, Lucas
INJURIES
Brisbane Lions: Leuenberger (finger)
Carlton: McLean (suspected concussion)
SUBSTITUTES
Brisbane Lions: Josh Green on for Ashley McGrath in the third quarter
Carlton: Josh Bootsma on for Simon White in the third quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Chamberlain, Armstrong and Jeffery
Crowd: 24,037
