Hewett leads Blues’ rout of lowly Kangaroos

Shayne Hope | April 18, 2025

Carlton have posted consecutive AFL wins for the first time in 10 months as red-hot midfielder George Hewett starred in what Michael Voss branded a “compelling” 82-point demolition of North Melbourne.

Hewett was a force in a blistering seven-goal opening term which set the tone for the Blues in their 24.9 (153) to 11.5 (71) triumph at Marvel Stadium on Friday.

The in-form ball-winner racked up 34 disposals, 12 clearances, nine tackles and one goal in his best-afield display as ruck star Tom De Koning imposed himself on the contest in another commanding performance.

Adam Cerra (28 disposals, five clearances) was also influential when it mattered most for the Blues, who backed up last week’s win over West Coast and improved their season record to 2-4.

Charlie Curnow and Zac Williams (four each) were among a dozen goal-kickers for Carlton, who piled on 15.4 to 5.2 after halftime as their opponents collapsed.

“It was really pleasing to see,” Blues coach Voss said.

“That’s our most consistent performance, no doubt about it, the most compelling one that we’ve played.

“It was mainly because Charlie kicked his goals but there was a spread of forwards that were able to hit the scoreboard.

“And it was the fact that they bought into their jobs and brought an enormous amount of pressure. We really just dialled it up.”

North Melbourne (1-5) coughed up more than 100 points for the fifth time in six games this year while suffering their fourth-straight defeat.

Making matters worse, Kangaroos playmaker Zac Fisher suffered another hamstring injury against his former club and was subbed off before halftime.

The Blues won clearances 46-38, including a 20-10 dominance in the centre square, and showcased their far superior pressure in an 83-56 tackle count.

“We just got smashed in the contest,” North coach Alastair Clarkson said.

“Clearances were 5-15 at quarter-time and that is a spanking.

“The unfortunate part for us is that’s probably the strength of our game and we just got absolutely hammered in a part of the game that usually we fare pretty well in.”

George Wardlaw was a shining light for the Kangaroos on return from a pre-season hamstring injury, tallying 21 disposals, five clearances and a goal.

Hewett led a dominant midfield brigade in the opening term as Carlton slammed on five consecutive goals leading into quarter-time to take an early stranglehold on the contest.

De Koning’s first goal of the season was a highlight, the ruckman shoving direct opponent Tristan Xerri out of the way at a boundary throw-in and snapping truly.

It led to a 31-point buffer at the first break.

North stemmed the bleeding during the second quarter, and even trimmed the deficit to 20 points by halftime, but were thoroughly outplayed in a disastrous second half.

Carlton took complete control after the main break and sent many Kangaroos fans in the 46,373-strong crowd heading for an early exit at their club’s marquee Good Friday fixture.

Voss dismissed concerns over star defender Jacob Weitering, who was sore after a knock to his right knee late in the match.