Carlton have come from the clouds to keep their very slim AFL finals hopes alive with a thrilling five-point win over Sydney.
The Swans piled on the first seven goals in a hot start at a wet Metricon Stadium but were overrun as the Blues fought back to post an 8.9 (57) to 8.4 (52) victory.
Fifth-gamer Matthew Cottrell put Carlton in front with a big pack mark and goal with 92 seconds left on the clock after they had trailed by 39 points during the second quarter.
The result hung in the balance until the dying stages, with a controversial free kick to Lewis Taylor giving Sydney one last chance.
Taylor was ruled to have been tackled high by Patrick Cripps but missed his set shot that would have levelled the scores.
David Teague’s men now sit one win and percentage out of the top eight with two games left to play.
They must beat Adelaide and Brisbane and rely on a string of other results to go their way if they are to play finals for the first time since 2013.
Co-captain Cripps had 17 disposals, seven tackles and five clearances against Sydney in a strong return to form, which Teague predicted after last week’s quiet display.
Sam Walsh (25 disposals) and Sam Petrevski-Seton (22) were important contributors, while Harry McKay kicked two goals and Lachie Plowman kept Swans goal sneak Tom Papley quiet.
Sydney got an early jump and led by 14 points at quarter-time after Levi Casboult’s simple set shot after the siren faded wide.
It completed yet another goalless quarter for the Blues – their fifth in seven to that point in a run spanning three matches.
The Swans’ smarts around the contest and supreme efficiency in attack saw them open up a big lead before the Blues finally started to get bang for their buck in attack.
They kicked four in a row before half-time and hit the front when Harry McKay kicked the opening goal of the last quarter.
Jordan Dawson and Josh Kennedy were among the best for Sydney, with Jake Lloyd also busy and Oliver Florent kicking two goals.
But the Swans managed just one major after half-time as they coughed up the chance to post successive victories for the first time this season.
The only downside for Carlton was a calf injury to Jack Martin.
