AFL 2024 LIVE: Petracca drags Demons within striking distance of Blues

Here are the game’s leading possession winners at three-quarter-time, slide through the shots:

Carlton fans would have breathed a sigh of relief when George Hewett managed an early last-term goal for the Blues.

Hewett started the game as the sub, and was brought on mid-way through the third term to replace Adam Cerra (hamstring).

Melbourne had kicked the last two goals of the third quarter to add some spice back into this game.

The Blues lead by 27 points.

George Hewett’s goal settled Carlton early in the final term.Credit: Getty Images

3QT: The Blues are still in control here, but the Demons are threatening.

The Blues had stretched their lead to 37 points (soon to be a game-high 38 points) when Jack Martin found Charlie Curnow in the opening minutes, the latter successfully snapping from about 40m in the pocket over Steven May, the latter adamant the ball had clipped his outstretched fingers.

Curnow celebrates a goal with Carlton teammate Jack Martin.Credit: Getty Images

But the Demons continued to fight, and lifted in the contest and at stoppages.

Christian Petracca, after a terrible first term, led the way, and had four of the Demons’ seven goals to the final change, including one amid a heavy tackle with less than two minutes left in the term to cut the deficit to 22 points at the final change.

He shapes as the Demons’ match winner, if they are to pluck what would be one of their greatest wins in the Simon Goodwin era.

Forwards Bayley Fritsch and Kysaiah Pickett, each ineffectual before half-time, also got moving. Curnow, as he typically does, drifted into defence late in the term, to help settle the Blues.

But the Blues will need him controlling their forward line if they to bank the four points.

Christian Petracca has done it again.

The star midfielder has booted his fourth of the night and given the Demons a sniff.

Melbourne have dragged the lead back under four goals as the third-quarter siren sounds.

The Blues lead by 22 points.

Bayley Fritsch has kicked his first goal of the night.

The Demon forward was able to mark in the pocket after finding space on the lead.

He snapped truly on the left and have cut the lead back under five goals.

Blues lead by 28 points.

Carlton has subbed Adam Cerra out of the game, bringing on George Hewett.

Cerra has a hamstring issue, but it is not known how severe the injury is.

He did not appear to limp from the ground, and looks comfortable sitting on the bench.

The Blues have every answer tonight.

Moments after the Christian Petracca goal, the Blues break free of the centre square through Adam Cerra.

He kicks long to a pack, and Charlie Curnow stays down and collects the ball as it topples over the back. Curnow kicks his second of the night.

Curnow celebrates a goal with Carlton teammate Jack Martin.Credit: Getty Images