Hewett leads Blues’ rout of lowly Kangaroos
Shayne Hope |
Carlton have posted consecutive AFL wins for the first time in 10 months as red-hot midfielder George Hewett starred in an 82-point demolition of listless 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 kicked four goals each, and Carlton piled on 15.4 to 5.2 after halftime as their opponents collapsed.
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.
George Wardlaw was a shining light for Alastair Clarkson’s side on return from a pre-season hamstring injury, tallying 21 disposals, five clearances and a goal.
The third-year midfielder had the most disposals of any North player to three-quarter time despite playing just 60 per cent of game time.
It has been a horror month for the Kangaroos, who had opened the new campaign in promising fashion but now find themselves in a familiar hole.
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 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.
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.
Jesse Motlop and Will White (three each) were also among Carlton’s dozen goal-kickers.
AAP
