Carlton have withstood a late fightback and reignited their AFL premiership push with a tense one-point victory over fellow contenders Melbourne, despite a career-best five goals from Christian Petracca.
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After successive defeats to heavyweights Geelong and Collingwood, the Blues kicked the first six goals on Thursday night to lay the platform for their 12.5 (77) to 11.10 (76) victory at the MCG.
They led by as much as 38 points during the third term and 28 early in the final stanza before the Demons rallied and kicked the last four goals of the game, including three in time-on of the last quarter.
Max Gawn's long set shot cut the margin to one point with 40 seconds left but the Blues' defence held firm as Nic Newman and Patrick Cripps combined to pin Petracca holding the ball at a stoppage when he threatened to have a crack at a match-winning goal.
It was yet another thrilling finish between the two sides, with six of the last eight meetings decided by single-figure margins.
The result gave Carlton a 6-3 record - level with the beaten Dees, who sit fourth on percentage - ahead of next week's interstate trip to face ladder leaders Sydney.
"Melbourne's comeback won't take away from the positives of the game for us," said Carlton coach Michael Voss.
"We've been fighting for a good month and we've been in some good form, we've played against some really good sides, and felt like we haven't been able to get the wins on the board.
"So maybe that's what it felt like a bit in the last quarter and we needed to get the four points.
"We'll walk away with that against a very, very good side."
Carlton's win came at a cost as unlucky midfielder Adam Cerra was substituted out of the game with another hamstring injury.
Sam Walsh (35 disposals, six clearances) and Cripps (34, five) fired in the engine room, while Jacob Weitering was a rock in defence.
Matthew Owies finished with three majors and Charlie Curnow two as the Blues spread the load, with Walsh and Cripps also among their nine goal-kickers.
Melbourne were held scoreless in a first quarter for the first time since 2008, and first time against Carlton since 1942.
Petracca was swung forward at quarter-time and threatened to drag the Demons over the line, while Jack Viney (21 touches), Alex Neal-Bullen (23), Clayton Oliver (26) and captain Gawn (17 disposals, 45 hitouts) were also important.
"You're going to wake up feeling pretty crook about that one in terms of the way we started," Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said.
"Our contest at both ends of the ground was really poor and our defence was poor.
"We gave a really good side a six-goal start and they played really well early, they were hot.
"But our responsibility as a footy club is to rock up and compete the way that keeps you in a game for longer.
"So that's where the game was won and lost: early. There was a lot to like after that but the damage was done."
Australian Associated Press
