Carlton has held its nerve to take the spoils of the 2005 AFL Wizard Cup, beating West Coast by 27 points in the pre-season grand final at Telstra Dome.

Full-forward Brendan Fevola kicked eight goals and wedding stayaway Nick Stevens starred as Carlton took a significant step forward after three years of double-figure finishes in the premiership.

The Blues' 1.14.18 (111) to 1.11.9 (84) triumph was the club's third pre-season flag and its first since 1997 - but another flag for champion coach Denis Pagan, who has turned the club around from its dark days of 2002-04.

Fevola was presented with the Michael Tuck Medal for being best on field.

After a brilliant first half, the Blues had to work hard for the win, despite surging to a 23-point lead early in the last quarter, as the Eagles hit back with four goals in seven minutes to steal the lead.

But Fevola was rewarded with a free kick for being held and his conversion from 20 minutes gave his side back the lead.

Moments later, Ian Prendergast intercepted a handball from Eagles defender Darren Glass and bombed a nine-point goal to seal the win.

Fevola stole the show in the second quarter with three goals, including an inspiring snap from 45 metres early in the term when he swooped on the ball after he and team-mate Scott Camporeale laid a gang tackle on Eagle defender Brent Staker.

That goal put the Blues up by 10 points after an even first quarter-and-a-bit, and aside from the Eagles' late resurgence, Carlton dominated play and ran out fitting winners before 43,391 fans.

Stevens, the best midfielder on the ground in the first half, was vindicated for his decision to play instead of attending his brother's wedding and made it a double celebration for his family.

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