Carlton has won successive AFL games for the first time in three years, beating a gallant Hawthorn which showed more fight than last week's much-publicised punch-up.

The match hung in the balance until 30 seconds from the end, with Carlton clinging on to win 15.10 (100) to 14.4 (88) to keep their unlikely finals hopes alive.

It was the first time Carlton had won two games in a row since the last home-and-away match and first final of 2001, and with lowly Richmond to come next week, the Blues will be eyeing off a 6-7 record at the mid-season break.

The loss was tough on a Hawthorn side that had been reduced by injury and suspension to just 27 players available for selection, and had been forced to endure another week of intense scrutiny following the mass brawl against Essendon and consequent marathon tribunal hearings.

However if the club wrongly thought it won some respect last week, there was no doubt it earnt some, but that will be little succour for a team rooted to the bottom of the ladder and destined for a wooden spoon.

Scores were level in time-on of the final quarter before Ian Prendergast found himself in space to goal and put the Blues up by six points after 22 minutes, with Carlton able to hang on before Brad Fisher took a towering mark in the goal square right on the siren to blow the margin out to 12 points.

No doubt expecting the Hawks to be fired up after a week of soul-searching, Carlton started aggressively to open a three-goal lead inside nine minutes.

With Brett Johnson vital in winning clearances against his old side and Nick Stevens picking up a pile of possessions, Carlton led by 26 points at quarter time.

Hawthorn rallied in the second quarter, principally through Joel Smith - injected into midfield - and dominant ruckman Peter Everitt.

But the one man the Hawks could not cover was in-form Carlton spearhead Brendan Fevola, who had five goals by half-time, having seen off the attentions of returning Hawks backman Jonathan Hay.

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