Carlton strikes first through a scrappy goal for Zac Williams, but a decision in the lead-up is under the microscope.

The Blues had isolated Charlie Curnow in the forward line against Mac Andrew and Andrew caught Curnow in a tackle for what seemed like an eternity before Curnow managed to get the ball to his boot.

Harry McKay almost took a mark but fumbled it, and Williams was there to crumb up and snapped it through from close range.

Jonathan Brown on Fox Footy's coverage wanted to see the whistle blown a little sooner on the tackle.

"I just think the whistle should be blown earlier, more for player safety," he said.

"Curnow was tackled for two and a half seconds, I think that's too long and exposes players to injury."