Carlton’s VFL side woke up with the blues on Sunday after a huge first half from the GIANTS led by skipper Ryan Hebron set the foundations for an emphatic 69-point win at ENGIE Stadium on Saturday afternoon.  

Played prior to the AFL clash between the clubs, a dominant opening half was the catalyst for the huge win, with the GIANTS kicking nine unanswered goals in an unstoppable stretch across the first and second terms to hold a commanding 40-point half-time lead. 

Smelling blood in the water, the GIANTS didn’t let up after the main break as they piled on another seven goals to two in the third term before cruising to a monster 24.11 (155) to 12.14 (86) win at home. 

Despite fielding just nine AFL-listed players to the Blues’ 15, the GIANTS proved too good across all three lines, with the backline defending brilliantly across the day while the connection between the mids and the forward line was close to its best.  

Hebron (15 disposals, eight marks, five goals) and the sole inclusion, Hugo Birks (10 disposals, six marks, four goals), feasted up forward in the win, with the key forward duo combining for nine goals in a powerful double act in attack.  

Around the footy it was the usual suspects who starred, with Jack Ough (28 disposals, five clearances), Harry Rowston (21 disposals, five clearances, one goal), and James Bell (22 disposals, six clearances, one goal) brilliant throughout.  

Harvey Hooper (20 disposals, five marks, four clearances, three goals) also continued his fantastic maiden season with the club, with his class and composure again a highlight, while Riley Hamilton (18 disposals, six marks, four tackles, three goals) put together another dynamic performance.  

Joey Delana (18 disposals, eight inside 50s, two goals) dazzled ahead of the footy at times as he continues to put his hand up for an AFL recall, while Louie Montgomery (17 disposals, seven inside 50s, eight score involvements, 2.2) showed off his versatility with an impressive showing ahead of the footy, highlighted by a pair of classy goals.  

James Leake (21 disposals, six marks) was as reliable as ever behind the ball, as was Kye Pfrengle (21 disposals, seven intercepts, six marks) who continued his impressive season on the last line of defence.  

Oskar Taylor (17 disposals) and Sam McMeeken (16 disposals, seven score involvements, four clearances) were also solid contributors, as was Cody Angove (14 disposals, one goal) who took another step forward in his return to footy in just his second game back from a long-term hamstring injury.  

The huge win was set up by a brilliant first term for the GIANTS who came out firing with six goals to two in the opening term to jump out to a 25-point lead. 

Hebron outscored the visitors on his own in a brilliant first term to inspire his side early on, taking a pair of big contested grabs and kicking three goals to assert himself as the dominant force on the ground. 

The GIANTS weren’t done after their red-hot first term as the orange tsunami continued to surge with five unanswered goals to open the second quarter in a sparkling display of GIANTS footy. 

Up by 40 at the main break following their first-half dominance, the GIANTS extended that to 70 at the final change as Hebron and Birks continued to finish off the brilliance of their teammates further afield with four goals between them in the term.  

After a mini Blues blitz saw the visitors kick the opening three goals of the final quarter, it was soon back to regular programming as the GIANTS kicked six unanswered goals in the middle of the term to cap off an outstanding performance at home.  

The GIANTS now sit in fifth spot at 7-4 for the season ahead of a huge showdown with the second-placed Hawks in Box Hill on Saturday morning.  

VFL ROUND 13 

GIANTS 6.3 11.6 18.9 24.11 (155) 

Blues 2.2 4.7 6.11 12.14 (86) 

GOALKICKERS   

GIANTS: Ryan Hebron 5, Hugo Birks 4, Harvey Hooper 3, Riley Hamilton 3, Louie Montgomery 2, Josaia Delana 2, Mitch Szybkowski, Lachlan Grubb, Harry Rowston, James Bell, Cody Amgove  

Blues: Liam Farrar 3, Will Cookson 2, Cooper Vickery, Logan Prout, Sam Paea, Hudon O’Keeffe, Cooper Lord, Taj Logan, Charlie Cotter