Carlton hold off Cameron’s Cats in AFL thriller

Carlton have resisted a Jeremy Cameron-inspired Geelong comeback to end a horror run in tight contests with an eight-point victory, leaving the reigning AFL premiers winless after two rounds.

Star forward Charlie Curnow kicked five goals as the Blues surged clear during the third quarter before hanging on for a nervy 13.12 (90) to 12.10 (82) triumph at the MCG.

The Cats trailed by 28 points late in the third term but cut it back to a single-figure margin with plenty of time left as Cameron booted three final-quarter goals.

Cameron finished with 6.1 from 25 disposals and eight marks in a superb performance, despite being banged up after a series of big collisions, but couldn’t drag Geelong over the line.

Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

The Cats were left licking their wounds, nursing a 0-2 record for the first time since 2015.

Curnow caused headaches for Geelong for most of the night, kicking goals in each of the first three terms.

Last year’s Coleman Medal winner booted majors with five of his first six kicks as he made life difficult for remodelled Cats defender Esava Ratugolea.

At the other end, Cameron fired but was one of several Geelong players in the wars.

He had a nasty gash above his right eye patched up and copped a heavy blow to the ribs in a final-quarter contest, while teammate Sam De Koning was cleared of concussion after a head knock.

Rhys Stanley copped a blow to the ribs in a ruck contest and was substituted out for debutant Cooper Whyte at the final change.

The Blues’ midfield was already missing Sam Walsh (back) and George Hewett (hand) before Patrick Cripps had his influence limited by Mark Blicavs in the second term.

But Cripps (27 disposals) and Matthew Kennedy (26) stood up, with Ed Curnow (26) and dashing defender Adam Saad (29) also influential.

Carlton made a late change before the bounce, bringing in Marc Pittonet as ruck support for Tom De Koning, in place of small forward Jack Martin.

De Koning held his own against Stanley and Blicavs.

Small forwards Matthew Owies (three goals), Jesse Motlop and Zac Fisher (one each) all complimented Curnow, though fellow tall Harry McKay was wasteful in finishing with 1.1 from his 10 disposals.

Owies held his nerve to kick the Blues’ final goal of the night from a set shot, holding off Geelong’s surge.

Cameron Guthrie (25 disposals), Isaac Smith (23), Max Holmes (23) and Patrick Dangerfield (22) were among the Cats’ chief ball-winners and Ollie Henry kicked two goals.