The Saints were never more than 21 points down prior to the final 10 minutes of the game and in fact drew to within eleven points at the half way mark of the final quarter before the Blues moved away to win 22.16.148 to 16.8.104.
St.Kilda trailed by just 15 points at three quarter time after leading by a point at the ten minute mark of the third term, however the lead blew out in the final stages of the game after Carlton kicked eight goals to four in the last quarter.
It was by no means a return to form for the Blues, who were thrashed by 53 points against Adelaide last week, but the performance of Anthony Koutoufides who had 35 possessions and kicked two goals and Brendan Fevola who kicked five goals are positives they will take into their big clash with Collingwood next week.
However, the Blues will also have a nervous wait during the week to see whether star midfielder and Brownlow medal chance Scott Camporeale can beat a tripping charge. Furthermore, ruckman Matthew Allan left the ground at the 17 minute mark of the first quarter with what looked to be a thigh injury and took no further part in the game.
The first term was a fluctuating affair with Carlton kicking the opening two goals, St.Kilda the next two and then Carlton replied again. Despite clearing the ball from the centre on three more occasions and having just four less possessions, the Saints were unable to stop the Blues from kicking three of the last four goals and leading by 17 points at the first change.
With Allan off Peter Everitt dominated the centre bounces picking up 19 of the Saints 24 hit outs up to half time (13 more than the Blues). Everitt was also potent up forward combining with rover Craig Callaghan to bring the Saints back into the game during the second term.
Everitt and Callaghan both kicked their second goal during a four goal to none spree that gave the Saints the lead at the 24 minute mark. Only a late goal from the Blues young forward Ryan Houlihan in the dieing stages of the half gave them the lead at the break.
Despite Saints youngster Cadyn Beetham giving his team the lead inside the opening the opening minute of the third term the Blues never really looked like letting this game slip. They kicked three of the last four goals of the third quarter after going goal for goal during the middle stages of it to lead by 15 points at the final change.
When Andrew Thompson and Matthew Young kicked consecutive goals at the half way mark of the final term the Saints’ faithful still rated them a chance however the immediate reply from a Koutoufides goal within a minute snuffed out any chance.
The Blues piled on the last five goals of the game inside ten minutes to blow the margin beyond what was reasonable for the gallant effort of the Saints.
For the Saints, captain Thompson was terrific with 29 possessions whilst Everitt was the main St.Kilda goal scorer with three. Max Hudgton, however, who kept Calton forward Lance Whittnall goalless, seriously hurt his ankle and was carried from the ground in the final quarter.
Scoreboard:
CARLTON 7.2 9.4 14.11 22.16 (148)
ST KILDA 4.3 8.6 12. 8 16. 8 (104)
Goals: Carlton: B Fevola 5 S Camporeale 3 R Houlihan 3 A Hickmott 2 A Koutoufides 2 A McKay B Ratten M Lappin S Freeborn M Allan D Hulme S Fletcher.
St Kilda: P Everitt 3 C Callaghan 2 A Hamill A Thompson A Jones T Delaney F Gehrig M Capuano M Young C Beetham J Begley J Blake S Milne.
Best: Carlton: A Koutoufides C Bradley B Fevola A Hickmott S Camporeale M Lappin.
St Kilda: P Everitt A Thompson A Hamill J Koschitzke.
Injuries: Carlton: M Allan (groin) M Lappin (corked buttocks).
St Kilda: R Powell (ill) replaced in selected side by M Young. T Delaney (quadriceps) M Hudghton (ankle) S Baker (cramp).
Reports: S Camporeale (Carlton) reported by field umpire M Vozzo for tripping J Blake (St Kilda) during the second quarter.
Umpires: S McInerney D Corcoran M Vozzo.
Official crowd: 34,521 at Colonial Stadium.
