Chris Yarran and Jeff Garlett put on the afterburners to inspire Carlton to a 24-point AFL win over West Coast at Patersons Stadium on Saturday night.
Yarran starred with four goals – including three rippers on the run – while Garlett’s lightning pace also caused all sorts of headaches in the 12.17 (89) to 7.23 (65) triumph.
West Coast were horrible in front of goal, kicking 3.14 in a wasteful first half that cost them dearly.
The Eagles were slightly better in the second half, but couldn’t overhaul the 20-point halftime deficit.
Carlton’s first win under new coach Mick Malthouse improved their record to 1-3, and they’re in a good position to make a major charge up the table over the next six weeks.
Although a clash with Adelaide at the MCG next Saturday shapes as a tricky encounter, the Blues are likely to start favourites in games against Melbourne, St Kilda, Port Adelaide, Brisbane and GWS.
West Coast (1-3) face in-form Port Adelaide away next week in a match that is shaping as crucial to their hopes of staying within striking distance of the top four.
The Eagles will be sweating on the fitness of Darren Glass, who struggled to lift his right arm after partially dislocating his shoulder in the opening term.
Blues skipper Marc Murphy managed to play out the match despite copping a heavy knock to his right leg in the second quarter.
Both sides struggled to grab the momentum during a topsy-turvy opening term.
But Yarran ripped the game wide open in the second quarter with three goals.
Two of his goals in the second quarter were eerily alike, with the 22-year-old taking three bounces and burning off Adam Selwood on both occasions.
His other goal was also a running effort, although Selwood wasn’t in the area to give chase on that instance.
Garlett’s pace and creativity was also killing West Coast, whose lack of speed in defence was exposed time and again.
Dennis Armfield played a key role in shutting down dangerous Eagles rebounder Shannon Hurn, but star midfielder Chris Judd was restricted to just 18 possessions.
Mark LeCras booted two goals for the Eagles, but the team’s inaccuracy in front of goal handed the ascendancy to Carlton.
West Coast won the inside-50 count 51-43, but they couldn’t capitalise on their chances.