CARLTON veteran Marc Murphy has booted the match-winning goal with just 35 seconds remaining to guide his team to a four-point triumph over Fremantle at Optus Stadium.
The Dockers looked to have the game in the bag after Michael Walters’ goal with six minutes remaining put Fremantle 15 points ahead.
But in a dramatic finish, the Blues booted three goals in as many minutes to snatch the lead.
The drama didn’t end there.
With just 70 seconds remaining, Fremantle goalsneak Sam Switkoswki snapped what appeared to be the match-winner.
But there was a final twist to the tail.
Carlton sent the ball forward, where Blues forward Levi Casboult somehow fired off a handball while being mobbed by Fremantle defenders.
The ball made its way to Murphy, who faked one way before unleashing a swift banana kick from 20m out to steal the 11.13 (79) to 11.9 (75) win.
The victory was all the more meritorious given Carlton entered the match without midfield bull Patrick Cripps and forward Harry McKay.
Their victory hopes were dealt another blow when star forward Charlie Curnow went down with a suspected medial ligament knee injury after just 12 minutes.
The Blues trailed by 30 points late in the first quarter, but turned the game on its head with six of the next seven goals to hit the lead in the third term.
Dockers forward Cam McCarthy, who was only selected after Jesse Hogan injured his foot last week, booted two goals in the opening term to get the ball rolling for the home side
And when Carlton hit the lead 10 minutes into the third quarter, McCarthy booted another two goals to wrest the momentum back for Fremantle.
The Blues kept challenging in the final quarter, but a bullet pass from McCarthy to Michael Walters set up what appeared to be the sealing goal with just six minutes remaining.
But Carlton refused to give up.
Goals to Kade Simpson, Matthew Kennedy, and Dale Thomas gave Carlton back the lead, before Dockers goalsneak Switkowski pounced.
But it was Carlton who had the last laugh, with Murphy’s dummy and goal in the dying seconds sending Blues players wild.
The result dragged Carlton (3-11) off the bottom of the ladder.
Fremantle (7-7) are clinging to eighth spot following two straight losses.
Murphy finished with 35 disposals, seven clearances and the match-winning goal.
Fremantle skipper Nat Fyfe battled hard for 29 disposals and six clearances.
© AAP 2019
CARLTON 0.3 4.5 6.8 11.13 (79)
FREMANTLE 5.2 6.3 8.8 11.9 (75)
Goals: Carlton: M Kennedy 2 D Thomas J Silvagni K Simpson L Casboult M Gibbons M McGovern M Murphy P Dow S Petrevski-Seton. Fremantle: C McCarthy 4 M Walters 2 B Cox B Matera D Tucker N Fyfe S Switkowski.
Umpires: Dean Margetts, Robert O’Gorman, Nick Brown.
Venue: Optus Stadium.
