Carlton snatch victory

For the fourth match in-a-row, Fremantle has led going into the final quarter only to concede the premiership points to their opponents - on this occasion, Carlton, by nine points in a thriller at Telstra Dome on Saturday - 14.13 (97) to 14.4 (88).

The Dockers were unable to hold on to their three-point, three-quarter time lead which was extended to 10 points early in the term through a powerful mark and goal to Matthew Pavlich.

Both sides dithered through the next 10 minutes, seemingly incapable of taking the risks required to put their stamp on the match.

The result swung on two goals in a minute, the first a running snap from outside 50 by Andrew Carrazzo followed by an open goal to Carlton's best on the day, Nick Stevens, set up by Bryce Gibbs who somehow slipped two tackles to lay the ball off with a 30-metre handpass.

Those majors put the Blues two points up, and it was Pavlich who squandered two opportunities to regain the lead for Freo, initially with a set shot from 30 out directly in front which hit the post, then a snap deep in time-on from the pocket which ran through for a behind when a centring ball would have found one of two team-mates clear in the goalsquare.

The Blues' win was sealed in the closing minutes by an instinctive snap from deep in the pocket by Darren Pfeiffer, a late replacement for Bret Thornton.

Since Round 6, Fremantle has gone down by one, six, three and, now, nine points to Geelong, Melbourne, the Western Bulldogs and Carlton after leading at the last change on each occasion.

Stevens was outstanding for Carlton with 28 touches, 12 marks and that critical late goal, though skipper Chris Judd, blanketed by the close-checking Ryan Crowley, struggled to make any impression.

Similarly, Brendan Fevola, given no breathing space by Luke McPharlin, could only manage one goal for the afternoon.

Adam Bentick finished with a game-high 31 disposals for the Blues while impressive youngster Garrick Ibbotson had a team-high 21 for the Dockers.

Despite conceding the hitouts 26 to 40, the Blues finished on top in the centre breaks and won the clearances overall 34 to 28.

Pavlich spent extended spells in the midfield but still finished with four goals, the best of them in the second quarter when he palmed-off two opponents before landing a ball-burster on the run from inside the centre square.

Pavlich's personal scoreline included a goal scored before the opening bounce when he tripped over Setanta O'hAilpin's leg during a bout of innocuous pre-game jousting.

CARLTON: 4.3, 7.7, 11.10, 14.13 (97)
FREMANTLE: 3.1, 7.1, 13.1, 14.4 (88)

GOALS: Carlton: Fisher 2, Betts 2, Scotland 2, Fevola, Wiggins, Simpson, Edwards, Browne, Carrazzo, Stevens, Pfeiffer
Fremantle: Pavlich 4, Tarrant 3, Farmer 2, Solomon, Bell, Duffield, Johnson, Bradley
BEST: Carlton: Stevens, Simpson, Bentick, Fisher, Scotland, Betts
Fremantle: Pavlich, Ibbotson, Tarrant, McPharlin, Palmer, Bradley
INJURIES: Carlton: Nil
Fremantle: Nil
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Darren Pfeiffer replaced Bret Thornton (knee) in Carlton's selected side
UMPIRES: Fila, Meredith, Ellis
CROWD: 28,955 at Telstra Dome

Sportal AFL Player of the Year votes:
3. Nick Stevens (Carlton)
2. Matthew Pavlich (Fremantle)
1. Garrick Ibbotson (Fremantle)