Carlton have overcome a spirited GWS challenge with a controversial decision in their favour and a late goal to Charlie Curnow sealing their 10-point triumph at Giants Stadium.
While Curnow kicked the last major of the match with fewer than three minutes remaining, it was captain Patrick Cripps who inspired the Blues to their 9.20 (74) to 9.10 (64) victory on Saturday.
The Blues were almost made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal, especially after they only managed five behinds from 15 inside-50s in the third term to leave the door open for the Giants.
GWS kicked three consecutive goals either side of the last change to claim the lead until the Blues were awarded a controversial free kick in the goal square when Stephen Coniglio disputed a decision.
Jesse Motlop made the most of the umpire’s call to put the Blues back in front at the 15-minute mark as the teams battled it out between the arcs until Curnow’s final intervention.
Cripps and Giants young gun Tom Green went head-to-head for much of the contest in an enthralling duel between the on-ball master and apprentice.
Cripps was superb for the Blues with game-highs for disposals (42), clearances (13) and score involvements (11), while Green all but matched him around the ball with 34 touches and seven clearances.
The Blues’ (2-1) runners and clean ball-users Sam Docherty (39 disposals, one goal), Adam Cerra (28 disposals) and Adam Saad (23) were also influential, but Nic Newman arguably had even more of an impact.
The halfback clamped down on Toby Greene to restrict the Giants captain to only five disposals and one goal while gathering 24 touches himself.
“Nic Newman’s game was an incredible game,” Blues coach Michael Voss said.
“To be able to play against Toby – who we rate really, really highly; he’s a very, very good player – so to be able to minimise his influence on the game the way that he did was an exceptional effort.”
Matthew Owies slotted two of the Blues’ early majors but was subbed out in the second term due to a hamstring injury, while Curnow also finished with two.
The Giants were boosted by the return of Josh Kelly (30 disposals, one goal) and Lachie Whitfield (27) from concussion, while Coniglio (29) will be disappointed by the late call against him but continued his superb start to the season.
“It’s hard for me to comment because I don’t know what was said,” Giants coach Adam Kingsley said when asked about the decision against Coniglio.
“Clearly we don’t want to be giving away free kicks in front of goal.
“Guys know when they make mistakes of that nature. It is what it is, we move on. Everyone makes mistakes.”
On a tough day for tall forwards in blustery conditions, the Giants’ Jake Riccardi kicked his first two goals of the season, while Jesse Hogan also booted two.
