Carlton coach Michael Voss has hailed his side's growing maturity after a come-from-behind 19-point win over previously unbeaten GWS.
Charlie Curnow booted three of the Blues' six consecutive goals leading into three-quarter time as they seized control and powered away with a 17.15 (117) to 15.8 (98) victory at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.
But the outlook wasn't so rosy during the second term, when Carlton's poor defence and lack of pressure had left them 22 points in arrears.
"We dialled in on that at halftime and fortunately we were able to turn that around and that gave us some really good looks on the other side of the ball," Voss said.
"It was a really pleasing performance because in the second quarter we were well and truly up against it.
"I think what shows your growth as a team is when you can absorb that, acknowledge that it's happened, but then be able to lock in and tie back the score by a couple of goals late in that quarter, which gives you a bit of a look at it.
"That was actually a really important part (of the game), not just the second half."
Patrick Cripps (39 disposals, 13 clearances), George Hewett (31, six) and Sam Walsh (35, six) were all influential in front of 40,474 fans as Carlton's third-quarter blitz proved decisive in their fifth win from six games.
Harry McKay and Tom De Koning matched Curnow's tally of three goals, and Matt Kennedy shone against his former club in his 100th AFL match.
Kennedy had 27 touches and celebrated with a late goal after moving into defence for the second half as cover for the substituted Zac Williams (corked calf).
Key defender Jacob Weitering soldiered on with a corked thigh.
GWS were left to rue a missed opportunity in their first defeat of the year after a club-best five-match winning streak to start the season.
And there are concerns over star forwards Toby Greene and Jesse Hogan, who face scrutiny from the match review officer over separate incidents that involved high contact on opponents Jordan Boyd and Lewis Young respectively.
Tom Green and Lachie Whitfield, each with 29 disposals, were busy for GWS as Hogan, Jake Riccardi and Josh Kelly all kicked three goals, but the Giants had few winners after halftime.
"(Carlton) got their turnover game up and going and shut ours down - plain and simple," GWS coach Adam Kingsley said.
"Through the midfield we didn't work hard enough to shut out their options, and that enabled them to link up their plays and kick it to their really big key forwards."
Carlton dominated the clearance count 48-32, including a landslide 22-8 advantage out of the centre, and were well on top in contested possessions (151-121).
"We didn't get the job done through the midfield and in the centre bounce, clearly, we were obliterated inside," Kingsley said.
"That led to the game. If we break even we give ourselves a chance, but we didn't get that one done."
Australian Associated Press
