Minor premiers Fremantle fall to red-hot Blues ahead of finals

Carlton will march into the AFL wildcard round high on confidence after a stirring 37-point victory over minor premiers Fremantle.

The Blues signalled their finals intent in a commanding performance, overcoming an early four-goal deficit in the 18.11 (119) to 12.10 (82) win at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.

A blockbuster knockout clash with arch-rivals Collingwood could be next, depending on other results over the weekend.

Sam Walsh (31 disposals), Jagga Smith (31) and captain Patrick Cripps (24) were all at the forefront of the Blues’ dominance in the engine room against a lacklustre Fremantle.

Marc Pittonet shone in the ruck, Francis Evans kicked a career-best five goals, and Brodie Kemp and Ben Ainsworth added three each.

The win continued Carlton’s remarkable resurgence under Josh Fraser, who has piloted 11 wins and a draw in 14 games since taking the reins as interim coach when the Blues were reeling at 1-8.

The 44-year-old was rewarded with the full-time appointment as senior coach this week and celebrated in style with another rousing victory.

Fremantle’s fourth loss of the season did not affect their position on top of the ladder but did come at a cost, with key defender Brennan Cox hurting a calf muscle early in the match.

Justin Longmuir rested three of his regulars against the Blues, including leading goal-kicker Jye Amiss, and managed game time for the likes of Andrew Brayshaw, Caleb Serong and Hayden Young.

But he would have a level of concern over the manner of the defeat, with the Dockers comprehensively outplayed by a far more energetic and hungry opponent.

It was the biggest score Fremantle have conceded all season, resulting in their heaviest defeat.

Young (23 disposals), Serong (23) and Brayshaw (21) battled hard, as did key forward Josh Treacy, who kicked three goals.

Carlton coughed the first four goals but hit back hard in a feisty start that was littered with spotfires, piling on eight of the next nine majors to lead by 11 points at halftime.

It was a defensive act that most excited the home fans, who rose as one to applaud Ollie Hollands’ run-down tackle on Dockers agitator Patrick Voss in the goal square.