CARLTON is back on the winners list after inflicting a ninth straight loss on Gold Coast at Marvel Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
 

Blues young stars Jagga Smith and Talor Byrne were instrumental to their side's ninth win of the season, Carlton coming from behind in the final quarter to win by 13 points.

Smith finished with 31 disposals and six clearances, while young forward Byrne kicked an equal career-high three goals and had a game-high 12 score involvements.

Carlton was able to handle the momentum shifting match that had nine lead changes, kicking 16.14 (110) to 15.7 (97) to win in front of a crowd of 26,945.

Gold Coast took the lead at the start of the fourth quarter thanks to three quick goals to Bailey Humphrey, Jed Walter then Beau Addinsall, but the Blues kicked five of the last seven goals to seal the victory.

Smith's dancing feet through the middle of the ground showed composure and class, the 20-year-old finishing the match with 90 per cent disposal efficiency.

The Rising Star favourite was well supported by club leaders and fellow midfielders Patrick Cripps (30 disposals, 15 clearances) and Sam Walsh (31 disposals).

The SUNS were more accurate in front of the big sticks, led by Joel Jeffrey, Humphrey and Ben King who all kicked three apiece.

King was relatively well-held by Carlton youngster Harry Dean, King finishing the game with slight ascendency over the Blues' father-son.

SUNS skipper Noah Anderson did his best to keep his side in it, gathering 30 disposals, 22 of which came in the first half.

Anderson's stunning goal
The SUNS' skipper won Goal of the Year last year, could he go back-to-back? In the second quarter, Anderson did it all himself when he took on four Carlton opponents to take a shot on goal. Anderson shrugged a tackle, faked a handball, evaded another, then shrugged a second tackle before kicking for goal on the outside of his foot. Even Anderson was shocked at his own achievement, celebrating with a hand over his mouth in a look of disbelief.

CARLTON         3.4   7.7   11.10   16.14 (110)
GOLD COAST    3.2   7.4   10.4   15.7 (97)

GOALS
Carlton: Byrne 3, Hewett 3, Hayward 3, McGovern 2, Evans 2, Young, Cripps, Ainsworth
Gold Coast: Jeffrey 3, Humphrey 3, King 3, Walter 2, Patterson, Anderson, Addinsall, Long

BEST
Carlton: Smith, Cripps, Byrne, Walsh, Hewett
Gold Coast: Anderson, Moyle, Rowell, Petracca, Jeffrey

INJURIES
Carlton: Newman (hamstring)
Gold Coast: Nil

Crowd: 26,945 at Marvel Stadium