Geelong won the battle but were left with wounds that may hurt them in the AFL finals in a hard-fought, 42-point win over Carlton at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

Brownlow Medallist Gary Ablett played the final term with a bandaged left hand, though he still managed to boot four goals in the 18.13 (121) to 12.7 (79) victory.

And forward James Podsiadly, who also kicked four goals, is almost certain to be cited for high contact on Carlton onballer Bryce Gibbs and is facing suspension.

Just how the AFL match review panel views Podsiadly clattering clumsily into Gibbs' head in the third term may have a big affect on the Cats' finals structure.

The Cats struggled all night to shake off a stubborn Blues outfit, leading at every change but unable to lock the match away until the end.

Geelong looked set to take control in the second quarter as they booted six goals to Carlton's three to grab a 22-point lead at the long break.

But the Blues, led brilliantly by midfielder Marc Murphy's 30 touches and Andrew Carrazzo limiting Ablett's effectiveness, opened the window for an upset early in the third quarter.

Trailing by 16 points, Jeff Garlett and Shaun Grigg missed gettable set shots that would have heaped the pressure on the Cats.

Instead a Mathew Stokes goal soon after gave the Cats breathing space.

Carlton crept back to within 12 points before Ablett, who had been quiet to that point and had his hand trampled during the third term to add injury to insult, booted another goal to extend the Cats' margin.

Podsiadly then launched a remarkable left-foot snap around the body from the boundary line to give Geelong a 25-point three-quarter-time lead.

Ablett then booted two important goals early in the fourth term and another late to snuff out the Blues.

Second-gamer Daniel Menzel booted three goals, while Cats midfielder Paul Chapman was clearly best afield with 33 possessions.

For the Blues, Lachie Henderson, Jarrad Waite and Mitch Robinson booted three goals each.

Geelong remain in contention to finish top of the ladder should Collingwood falter in their clash with Adelaide on Saturday night.

Geelong coach Mark Thompson played down the significance of the strapping on Ablett's hand, but admitted to some nervousness about what Monday's match review panel findings may hold for Podsiadly.

"Gary's probably okay ... the (Podsiadly) incident we just have to leave for the match review panel - fingers crossed it doesn't look as bad and we get a good result," Thompson said.

Carlton coach Brett Ratten said his side's lack of goalscoring polish in the third quarter coupled with a disappointing first half tackling effort, cruelled the Blues' hopes.

"I probably put it more down to the missed tackles at the end of the first half," Ratten said.

"When you have 18 tackles in a half of footy, it's miles off a benchmark.

"We weren't polished enough to finish off that third quarter when we dominated.

"When we missed they hurt us. They're (Geelong) a quality team - they're the benchmark that's been around for the past four years."

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