St Kilda suffered yet another harsh loss on Saturday night, helping Carlton snap a four-game losing streak as the Blues edged back into top eight contention.
Carlton steadied after trailing early to reclaim the lead in the second quarter, eventually running out 36-point winners, 16.14 (110) to 10.14 (74), in front of 30,949 at Etihad Stadium.
Forwards Lachlan Henderson and Sam Rowe proved to be the difference as the duo combined to kick seven goals, spoiling the return of Saints small forward Stephen Milne in the process.
Milne was playing his first game since being charged with rape last month and was met by heavy boos each time he touched the football. He provided two goals while young forward Tom Lee kicked three in an off night for Nick Riewoldt, who went just 1.4.
In a game punctuated by small scuffles throughout, Carlton’s ball winners proved to be invaluable. Kade Simpson (28 touches), Chris Judd (26), Bryce Gibbs (20), Marc Murphy (20) and Jarryd Cachia (20) helped the Blues build a lead that never fell below eight points after going in front in the second quarter.
Carlton moved within a win away from Port Adelaide in eighth position on the AFL table, but will have to fend off West Coast and North Melbourne in the race for the final finals position.
St Kilda coach Scott Watters unsurprisingly acknowledged the Saints’ fourth coming rebuild. Watters endorsed the need for more “top end talent” on the team and said the club would look at every possible draft and trade avenue in order to improve the team.
St Kilda has won just three of 15 games in 2013 and will likely face further troubles over the coming seasons as it seeks to find the balance between its currently aging roster and youth development.
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Quinn Rooney, Getty Images.
