Carlton have outlasted a sloppy Gold Coast to claim a scrappy 9.16 (70) to 8.11 (59) AFL win at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.
Last week's seven-goal hero against Fremantle, Harry McKay, kicked the crucial score in the final term on the back of some great desperation by Jack Silvagni as the Blues moved to a 2-2 record with the 11-point win.
Silvagni chased down Sun Jack Bowes with just under 10 minutes to play, earning a free kick next to the behind post for his effort.
McKay, who was kept relatively quiet for most of the game by Suns defender Sam Collins, stepped up to kick the goal with Silvagni forced off the field after injuring his right shoulder in the tackle.
The big Blues forward ended the match with two majors, with veteran Marc Murphy the other multiple goalkicker for the visitors with two majors in the first half.
Ed Curnow was a contender for best on ground with 32 disposals, five tackles, eight clearances and a goal.
Alex Sexton kicked two goals for the Suns, who struggled throughout the game for clean possessions in their first match since co-captain Jarrod Witts suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Without their main ruckman, the Suns lost the hit-outs 62 to 22 but ended up on top of the clearances count, 47 to 38.
Bowes finished with a game-high 34 disposals while Noah Anderson had 30 disposals and 10 clearances.
Gold Coast suffered another injury setback just before halftime with defender Sean Lemmens suffering a concussion to be subbed out of the game at the main break.
Silvagni also got subbed out for the Blues after his fourth-quarter heroics due to his shoulder issue.
Gold Coast face a tough road trip next weekend to play the in-form Western Bulldogs in Melbourne, while Carlton will chase a third-straight win when they host Port Adelaide at the MCG.
