Brisbane has notched their fifth win on the trot after handling Carlton by 26 points on Friday night.
With two supremely talented forward units lining up under the roof at Marvel Stadium, most were expecting this clash to become a shootout, which is exactly how things got underway.
The Blues and Lions combined for 10 goals between them in an electric opening term, with neither side truly able to gain the upper hand as defence took a back seat.
Goodness me, Joey D!#AFLBluesLions pic.twitter.com/xWOqTEsmoZ
— AFL (@AFL) May 5, 2023
However, things couldn’t have been more different as soon as the second quarter began, as both sides ratcheted up the pressure to eliminate any semblance of clean ball movement.
Brisbane clearly looked more suited to this high-pressure atmosphere, yet their inaccuracy in the term (2.4) allowed Carlton to hang around despite the Blues kicking just one goal.
Clearly the Lions weren’t willing to allow their own mistakes to be the death of them in this one, as the third term saw Chris Fagan’s men put together a near flawless quarter of football.
Brisbane kicked five majors in the term and limited Carlton to just two behinds, taking a dominant lead as Blues fans began to rain down frustrated boos on their own team.
Carlton came back to life in the final term, kicking five goals as they looked to make a dramatic comeback, yet it was simply too late for Michael Voss’ squad to muster something brilliant.
Charlie Cameron and Zac Bailey did the bulk of the scoreboard damage for the Lions, using their speed and brilliant goal-sense to each secure a bag of four majors.
The Lions make Carlton pay as Charlie Cameron kicks his third!#AFLBluesLions pic.twitter.com/4cKXVqnyS2
— AFL (@AFL) May 5, 2023
Brisbane’s talls also got their fair share of action, with Joe Daniher, Jack Gunston and Eric Hipwood booting five goals between them.
While the forwards got the majority of the glory, Josh Dunkley stood out as the best on ground.
The star midfielder put together a monster performance with 33 possessions, 11 tackles and 6 clearances, making his mark on almost every facet of the game.
For the Blues, it was a frustrating game as they were unable to play consistent football for four quarters, resulting in strong critique from Brad Johnson.
“First quarter was impressive football from Carlton, that’s why they’re so hard to work out as a team at the moment,” he said on AFL Nation.
“They go from attacking - kick five goals and look sharp – to second and third quarters where they go sideways, look slow.
“In the last quarter they go back to that element, because they’re chasing the lead again, they start to spark a bit, they go long and direct, that’s the way they have to play as a side.
“Going backwards and slow does not suit them one little bit.”
Brisbane will now head back home as they welcome Essendon next week in a bid to extend their win streak to six, while Carlton will have their hands full yet again as they face off against a dangerous Bulldogs side.
FULL SCORE
Carlton: 5.1, 6.3, 6.5, 11.8 (74)
Brisbane: 5.3, 7.7, 12.9, 15.10 (100)
GOALS
Carlton: Durdin 2, Motlop 2, C. Curnow, Cerra, E. Curnow, Docherty, Hollands, Kennedy, McKay
Brisbane: Cameron 4, Bailey 4, Daniher 2, Gunston 2, Hipwood, McCarthy, Sharp
BEST
Carlton: Acres, Docherty, Cerra, McGovern, Hewett
Brisbane: Dunkley, Cameron, Bailey, McCluggage, Berry
CROWD 45,548