Geelong were on the charge in 2022 and were looking to make it eight consecutive victories, when they headed up the highway to take on Carlton at the MCG in a Saturday night blockbuster. 

The clash pitted some of the game's biggest names against one another, with Joel Selwood and Patrick Cripps squaring off in the midfield, the Cats had Jeremy Cameron and Tom Hawkins roaming inside 50 while down the other end of the ground, Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay were spearheading Carlton's charge. 

While the Cats were on their extended winning streak and perched atop the ladder, the Blues were enjoying a successful year in their own right, entering the Round 18 clash in fifth position on the ladder and only sitting one win away from Geelong as the run towards September commenced. 

It set the stage for a monumental battle in front of nearly 70,000 at the MCG, with both teams rising to the occasion and playing out an enthralling battle. 

03:14

Sweet 16 | Round 18

Carlton gave plenty but was unable to keep up with a switched-on Geelong unit who registered their 8th straight win on their way to September.

Eager to make a strong start and to get the game on their terms early, it was the unlikely source of Rhys Stanley who opened proceedings for the Cats, drifting deep inside forward 50 and taking a nice mark to kick Geelong's first goal of the night. 

It sparked a strong start for the Cats as Tom Atkins and Tyson Stengle hit the scoreboard shortly after, the visitors seemingly on top and in control midway through the first quarter with three of the first four goals. 

But this match was important for Carlton's Finals hopes also and they were up for the fight, with two goals from Charlie Curnow sparking a quick response as the Blues finished the opening term with a flurry to take a three-point lead into quarter time. 

With momentum shifting against the Cats, Tom Hawkins made his presence felt early in the second term as he collected a ground-ball deep inside 50, wobbling through a quick left foot snap to reclaim the lead for Geelong. 

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 16: Tom Hawkins of the Cats celebrates a goal during the 2022 AFL Round 18 match between the Carlton Blues and the Geelong Cats at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 16, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)

But once again it was Curnow that was proving to be a headache for the Cats, with the star forward pouncing on a loose ball and kicking his third, the lead changing hands once again early in the second quarter. 

The tension around the MCG was beginning to rise with neither team able to make a significant break on the scoreboard, but Geelong were able to wrestle back the ascendancy and a strong stretch of football proved to be a pivotal turning point in the match. 

A brilliant rundown tackle from Jeremy Cameron set up a Max Holmes goal, Hawkins snapped through another from a forward 50 stoppage, before Cameron split the big sticks to put Geelong 17 points clear heading into half time. 

Re-emerging after the main break, scoring proved hard to come by and neither team was able to impact the scoreboard until the 12-minute mark of the third term, with George Hewett landing the first blow to trim the margin. 

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 16: Jeremy Cameron of the Cats handballs during the round 18 AFL match between the Carlton Blues and the Geelong Cats at Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 16, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

The Cats had found an answer every time they were challenged and again, that proved to be the case as Zach Guthrie kickstarted another burst with a beautiful set-shot finish, just the fifth goal of his AFL career. 

Holmes had been wreaking havoc all night with his run and carry, bursting inside 50 and burning off his opponents to find space in the goal square, receiving a handball from Cameron and slamming through his second goal to extend Geelong's lead. 

Then with time ticking down in the shadows of three quarter time, Cameron produced a slice of magic as he collected the ball tight against the boundary line in the forward pocket, rolling onto his preferred side and snapping through a remarkable goal to bring the Cats faithful to their feet. 

After the strong challenge from the Blues, Geelong had managed to steady the ship and carve out a 29-point lead at the final break. 

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 16: Sam De Koning of the Cats and Tom De Koning of the Blues are seen together after the 2022 AFL Round 18 match between the Carlton Blues and the Geelong Cats at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 16, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)

Gryan Miers kicked his first and Cameron landed his third early in the final quarter, and despite squandering some opportunities late, Geelong did enough to secure their eighth consecutive victory with a 30-point win over Carlton. 

Up against his former side, Zach Tuohy (24 disposals) was ultimately awarded the three Brownlow votes, while Joel Selwood (25 disposals) was ultra impressive in a trademark tough performance from the Cats skipper. 

Sam De Koning was also awarded plenty of praise and recognition for his performance, as he blanketed Harry McKay and held him goalless to continue his extraordinary breakout season. 

2022 Round 18 – Carlton v Geelong

CARLTON    4.1    5.1    6.3      8.7    (55)
GEELONG    3.4    7.6   10.8   12.13   (85)

GOALS: Cameron 3, Hawkins, Holmes 2, Atkins, Z.Guthrie, Miers, Stanley, Stengle 1

DISPOSALS: Duncan 26, Selwood 25, Tuohy 24, C.Guthrie 23, Dangerfield 22

BROWNLOW VOTES: Zach Tuohy (3), Joel Selwood (2), Sam Walsh (1)

CROWD: 68,208 @ MCG

GEELONG STARTING 23
1. Rhys Stanley
2. Zach Tuohy
5. Jeremy Cameron
7. Isaac Smith
8. Jake Kolodjashnij
9. Max Holmes
14. Joel Selwood
16. Sam De Koning
18. Tyson Stengle
22. Mitch Duncan
23. Gary Rohan
24. Jed Bews
26. Tom Hawkins
27. Sam Menegola
29. Cameron Guthrie
30. Tom Atkins
32. Gryan Miers
35. Patrick Dangerfield
38. Jack Henry
39. Zach Guthrie
42. Mark O'Connor
45. Brad Close
46. Mark Blicavs