AFL Wildcard Round: Carlton topple Melbourne by 19 points to book elimination final against Geelong

The AFL’s next big thing, Jagga Smith, has seen Carlton’s remarkable rebirth to new heights as the Blues dropped the velvet curtain on Melbourne’s own stellar season with a 19-point win in another MCG wildcard classic.

The AFL’s wildcard round appears here to stay after a second thriller in as many days, Carlton overcoming a slow start with sheer tackling will to book an elimination final against Geelong on Friday night.

For the second night in a row, a packed MCG was put through the emotional ringer, both sides exchanging the lead throughout the second half.

Carlton had four chances to seal the contest in the final five minutes; however, a string of behinds and posters ensured anxiety levels were through the roof everywhere.

But in the end, a banged-up Demons just couldn’t run with Carlton’s prime movers.

Sam Walsh was involved in almost every pivotal moment in a 39-disposal performance while Rising Star favourite Smith announced himself as a real future star of the league.

The young gun stepped up when it mattered most, slotting a set shot with 90 seconds remaining to seal a piece of history.

Alongside his two majors, he also collected 29 disposals and nine clearances.

Carlton were third last on the table after round nine with just one win, but since Josh Fraser has taken charge, the red-hot Blues have dropped just two games.

They finished the home-and-away season in 10th, given a crack at September by the inaugural wildcard weekend, and they made the chance count.

They now head to the elimination final against the fifth-placed Cats as the form team in the competition.

There will be a watch on West Australian superstar and skipper Patrick Cripps after he left the ground in the third term with a knee complaint before returning with extra strapping.