Carlton has broken a decade-long hoodoo by winning the first two games of the AFL season.
The Blues haven’t achieved that feat in 10 years, but got the monkey off their back with a stirring 16.6 (102) to 13.12 (90) victory over the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium.
It comes a week after they shocked Richmond in their traditional Thursday season opener, which this year was the day after the Bulldogs lost to Melbourne.
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They booted seven goals to three in the second term to lead by 31 points at the main break, before the 2021 grand finalists fought back to get within 10 points.
Blues young gun Matt Kennedy had 15 disposals in the last quarter, as the spirited Blues held off a Dogs comeback to ice the win.
Carlton captain Patrick Cripps was inspirational, as always, with 35 disposals, two goals, and five tackles.
During the dominant second quarter, veteran caller Gerard Whateley proclaimed, “the Blues are unstoppable” in commentary for AFL Nation.
“There’s nothing (Cripps) can’t do right now, he’s hit the season hot.”
Retired AFL star Nick Dal Santo agreed about Cripps.
“What a delight it is to watch Patrick Cripps free and able to move when he wants,” Dal Santo said.
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