The Sydney Swans have recorded their first win of the season with a triumph over Carlton at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.
The Swans arrived at Marvel Stadium on Saturday fresh from somewhat surprise defeats to the Western Bulldogs – at the same venue – and Adelaide at home, and desperately needing a win.
They belatedly secured one, 14.9 (93) to 10.14 (74) over winless Carlton, but not before several scares and some wastefulness leaving the result in doubt for longer than it should have been.
The margin blew out to 31 points late in the third term, but the Blues were within 16 when Ed Curnow's career-best fourth goal survived a score review midway through the final quarter.
There was more drama to come, with Carlton cutting that difference to just 13 points, coinciding with Sydney losing Jarrad McVeigh to a right quad injury as he cleared the ball from defence.
The Swans were already without young forward Will Hayward, who kicked two first-half goals but broke his jaw in a collision with veteran Blue Kade Simpson late in the second term.
Isaac Heeney sealed Sydney's triumph with his fourth major as time ticked towards 25 minutes in the fourth quarter, after being the beneficiary of a front-on contact free kick against Lachie Plowman.
John Longmire's side now hosts another opponent without a win, Melbourne, at the SCG on Thursday night with the chance to put itself right back in the top-eight race.
Zak Jones thrived on his extra midfield minutes to star for Sydney with 31 disposals and seven clearances, in a quality combination with Josh Kennedy, who recorded the same numbers.
Jake Lloyd (32, eight rebound 50s) and McVeigh (24) were terrific from go-to-whoa down back, while Heeney helped offset a quietish afternoon from Lance Franklin, who was well held by Liam Jones.
Jones, who bore the brunt of a 10-goal Franklin special two seasons ago, went to 'Buddy' again from the first bounce and stuck to the task wonderfully despite the Swan looking menacing on occasion.
Sydney ran into a Blues team that infamously hadn't reached triple-digit points for 57 games (now 58) but that suddenly had no trouble finding avenues to goal in the early going.
Patrick Cripps-inspired Carlton went toe-to-toe with the Swans, splitting the opening 10 goals in barely 23 minutes, and at one stage leading by eight points after No.1 draft pick Sam Walsh's first career goal.
It was a pulsating period of end-to-end football that included eight lead changes – and the Blues probably should have been in front.
McKay missed a sitter from 15m and teammate Paddy Dow misfired a couple of times on the run, as well as fumbling a simple mark inside 50.
Ed Curnow made up for those with two brilliant goals – the best of them a perfect dribble attempt from deep in the pocket – to ignite Carlton.
That torrid pace was always going to be tough to maintain, but where the Blues temporarily ground to a halt, Sydney thrived with its array of forward-50 options.
The Swans racked up 10 of their 13 marks inside 50 to half-time – seven of them contested – spread across eight players, with Hayward and Heeney plucking two apiece.
However, even with Sydney threatening to open a significant gap on Carlton, it frittered away chances in front of goal in the third term – Jones and Nick Blakey, in particular – to keep the door ajar.
Late Carlton goals to Ed Curnow and McKay before three-quarter time set up a grandstand finish.
Cripps was easily the Blues' best player with 27 disposals (21 contested), 13 clearances, eight tackles and seven inside 50s, but Walsh (28) impressed again and Jones was important down back.
MEDICAL ROOM
Carlton: Andrew Phillips (corked quad) was a late withdrawal, leaving former Port Adelaide big man Matthew Lobbe to lead the Blues' ruck division, with Matthew Kreuzer (knee) also out. Mitch McGovern (left hamstring) went into the changerooms in the third quarter for treatment and never returned.
Sydney: Will Hayward (broken jaw) copped a heavy bump from Kade Simpson coming from opposite directions late in the second quarter and groggily left the field. The 20-year-old did not return after kicking a pair of goals in the opening half. Jarrad McVeigh joined the casualty ward when he hurt his right quad at a kick-in late in the contest.
NEXT UP
Sydney could be right back on track if it can level its win-loss ledger against struggling Melbourne at the SCG on Thursday night. The Blues head to the Gold Coast on Sunday week trying to turn improved competitiveness into their first victory of the year.
CARLTON 5.4 6.5 8.9 10.14 (74)
SYDNEY 6.1 9.5 11.9 14.9 (93)
GOALS
Carlton: E.Curnow 4, Cripps, Murphy, Walsh, McGovern, McKay, Fisher
Sydney: Heeney 4, Franklin 2, Hayward 2, Papley 2, Parker, Blakey, Kennedy, Sinclair
BEST
Carlton: Cripps, E.Curnow, Walsh, Murphy, Newman, Fisher, Jones
Sydney: Heeney, Kennedy, Jones, Sinclair, Lloyd, Papley, Mills
INJURIES
Carlton: Phillips (corked quad) replaced in selected side by Lobbe, McGovern (hamstring)
Sydney: Hayward (broken jaw), McVeigh (quad)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Donlon, Mollison, Power
Official crowd: 39,290 at Marvel Stadium
