United Blues limp to first win

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MICK Malthouse's only recorded use of the corridor is to access his living room and as a venue to banish muffin-munching photographers.

Last night as besieged Carlton's leaders in Marc Murphy and Bryce Gibbs answered their baying critics, so too did 61-year-old Malthouse.

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Malthouse hasn't survived long enough to be in sight of Jock McHale's record without using every bit of rat cunning and adaptability.

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As the Blues finally broke their 2014 drought, they did so by abandoning central tenets of Malthouse's three-decade old game plan.

In a freewheeling, high-scoring contest full of positives previously invisible at Visy Park, the Blues finally embraced that little-used patch of turf.

Jumping a Bulldogs side which just refused to die, the Blues roared up and down the corridor as if it was a German Autobahn.

Dale Thomas and Jarrad Waite celebrates a third quarter goal. Pic: Michael Klein. Source: News Corp Australia

The Blues did it without a hamstrung Chris Judd — who lasted just six minutes- and despite a Bulldog comeback that only quit in the final moments

Yet if the Bulldogs kept pushing the manner of the victory should only heighten the Blues' belief.

Senior assistant and Malthouse confidante Robert Wiley had said pre-match Malthouse had spent the week on the track relearning the key game plan fundamentals.

Yet instead of the stodgy, defence-based football of the last month the Blues looked a little like

Ed Curnow was outstanding on Tom Liberatore until a collision with a goalpost left him with a suspected broken leg. Pic: Michael Klein. Source: News Corp Australia

Brett Ratten's run-and-gun Carlton in a pre-Malthouse era.

That game plan saw Carlton 37 points up early in the third term, but as Malthouse would know it also kept the Dogs in this contest.

Continually they surged in a thrilling second half, pushing and testing Carlton's reserves.

Yet if Malthouse's defence did not have its usual host of midfield reinforcements it still stood up in a mighty test.

If Murphy ultimately delivered a two-fingered salute to his critics despite the close attentions of Mitch Wallis, it was Gibbs who started the domination.

Bryce Gibbs ignited the Blues in the first quarter. Picture: Michael Klein. Source: News Corp Australia

He found himself at the fall over every contested ball, sprinting from defence to hit up Carlton's forward targets with a 10-possession first quarter.

As a result recalled forward Jarrad Waite and swingman Lachie Henderson feasted on the quicksilver delivery with five combined first-quarter goals.

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From there confidence coursed through the veins of every Carlton player's veins.

Dale Thomas was urgent and polished, Warnock as huge in the ruck, Henderson (five goals) presented all day, and Andrew Walker relentlessly charged off half back

For a time the Dogs just kept in touch through Luke Dahlhaus's nose for a goal and Ryan Griffen's pulsating running power in his best game for the year.

Chris Judd lasted just six minutes before a hamstring injury ended his night. Picture: Michael Klein. Source: News Corp Australia

The critical moment came 10 minutes into the second term after three early Dogs goals to drag back the margin to only two goals.

Bulldog Jack Macrae surged into goal but his dribbling effort from close-range missed by a mile.

Seconds later the Blues transferred the ball to Chris Yarran who goaled on the run to put the margin to 17 points, instead of the six from a Macrae goal.

Even when they pushed again late they could get no closer than three goals as the Blues somehow steadied the ship.

Carlton coach Mick Malthouse just before quarter time. Pic: Michael Klein. Source: News Corp Australia

The Dogs might be on the march, but they aren't yet the kind of side that can win without an even performance.

As much as Griffin, Dahlhaus, Macrae won possessions at will, too many prime movers didn't come to the party.

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Robert Murphy was shut out of the game, Tom Liberatore was smashed by Ed Curnow and Will Minson was soundly beaten early by Robert Warnock.

With players like the highly encouraging Marcus Bontempelli and Lin Jong finding their feet — and tagger Wallis not contributing any offensive drive — they just couldn't keep up.

Chris Scott or Alastair Clarkson wouldn't have been quivering with fear at the Blues yesterday, but finally this grand old club again has a pulse.

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