AFL 2023 round 20 LIVE updates: Impressive Carlton build lead against shell-shocked Collingwood at packed MCG

Charlie Curnow.Credit: AFL Photos

Charlie Curnow kicked 10 goals against the hapless West Coast Eagles last week, but he’s no flat track bully. He’s getting it done against the best team in the league tonight.

He manufactures this himself, grabbing the ball off the turf before kicking around the corner from 40 metres. Great goal.

Collingwood 44, Carlton 66 with 8 minutes left in Q3.

Huge blow for the Blues.

Adam Cerra, one of their best performers who notched a match-high 20 disposals, has injured his hamstring and needs to be substituted.

Paddy Dow comes on for Carlton. It’s a tough gig coming off the bench into an intense match like this.

Collingwood 44, Carlton 60 with 9 minutes left in Q3.

Dan McStay takes a visually satisfying mark above his head, which in truth Carlton made easy for him with no defenders in his path.

He kicks the goal with his trusty left foot. That’s two for McStay tonight.

Carlton still look the better side but the Pies are going nowhere.

Collingwood 44, Carlton 60 with 10 minutes left in Q3.

What a night Mr Martin is having up front for Carlton.

This time it’s after a mark on the left of the forward 50, which he converts with a snap. Quintessential small forward goal.

The Blues are back to a 23-point lead. Could the Pies be suffering from a hangover after their win against Port Adelaide last week?

A slightly contentious call follows as a long review concludes there was insufficient evidence to judge whether a Jamie Elliott soccer was touched by the Carlton defender. The on-field umpire’s decision of a behind stays. Cue Collingwood boos from the stands.

Collingwood 37, Carlton 60 with 12 minutes left in Q3.

Carlton have fought hard so far.Credit: AFL Photos

The Blues have withstood an early barrage this quarter and refuse to roll over.

Charlie Curnow takes a mark on the right side of the forward 50 and kicks the ball true through the posts.

It’s not been his busiest night so far but the big man still has two goals. Meanwhile Adam Cerra has hit 20 disposals for the Blues. He, conversely, has been very busy.

Collingwood 37, Carlton 53 with 15 minutes left in Q3.

Carlton know Collingwood, the competition’s strongest finishers, are going to come hard at them this second half.

And so it is already: Josh Daicos gathers the ball out of a stoppage, swivels and snaps his first goal of the match. Dad Peter Daicos loves it up in the stands.

Collingwood 36, Carlton 47 with 19 minutes left in Q4.

Severe disruptions to Melbourne’s train network caused some fans to miss the start of Friday night’s Collingwood-Carlton blockbuster and were felt across Melbourne’s inner-city.

The Age sport scribe Marc McGowan was one of dozens of train passengers who sat on idle trains in the hours before the opening bounce at the MCG.

Metro Trains flagged the delays shortly before 7pm after an incident reported by police between the Flinders Street and Southern Cross stations.

“(There are) major delays network wide due to a police request between Flinders St and Southern Cross,” the government body said on social media.

“Services will run direct in/out of Flinders Street & Southern Cross. Select services will terminate/originate at intermediate locations.

“We are experiencing significant congestion through the inner-city due to the earlier police request.”

You’re either a prophecy or a liar if you expected the first half to go like that

Carlton won that second quarter four goals to one and were certainly the better team. They’re dominating the clearances and have taken their chances.

Collingwood have not been dreadful but they looked shocked. Coach Craig McRae has plenty to do at half time.

Carlton’s Adam Cerra leads the disposal count on 17, followed by teammate Nic Newman on 15. The Daicos brothers haven’t truly asserted themselves so far but have the most touches for Collingwood (Josh 13 and Nick 12).

Half time: Collingwood 30 (4.6) to Carlton 47 (7.5)