AT QUARTER-TIME yesterday at the MCG the Blues held a 16-point advantage over the Crows, Brendan Fevola had goaled with his first kick and skipper Chris Judd had the edge over his opponent, Robert Shirley.

It wasn't the first time Shirley has been asked to stop Judd's influence — he's had the job three or four times and relishes the chance to line up against the league's best players.

Between them, Judd and Fevola helped guide Carlton to successive wins leading into yesterday's game and Fevola's opponent, Ben Rutten, knew his job was every bit as big as Shirley's.

Unfortunately for Rutten, his game hit a brick wall just before half-time when he received a bruised buttock. He took no further part in the game.

Coach Neil Craig swung Nathan Bock (who started on Brad Fisher) across to Fevola and as the second half unfolded the Blues' two most potent players were shut down.

Shirley restricted Judd to just five touches in the third term, while gathering 10 as the Crows began flexing their muscles and kicked six goals to two for the quarter. Judd kicked two final-term goals, but the last came when the result was beyond doubt.

Shirley's game, which included 21 touches and four tackles, brought praise from Craig afterwards. "I liked what Robert was able to do," Craig said. "He's got a pretty good record against Judd, who is an outstanding player, as we know."

Bock, too, was singled out, albeit briefly, for his work on Fevola. Craig said he had "no hesitation" about sending Bock to stand next to Fevola, who kicked seven goals with his seven kicks last week against Melbourne.

Shirley, who has lined up against Judd almost half-a-dozen times during his career, said the former West Coast star was close to the peak fitness that helped him win the 2004 Brownlow Medal.

"He's running the lines a lot better than he was a couple of years ago, obviously the groin problems hampered his fitness, but he's running a lot better then he was (and) his strength and his speed are his attributes," Shirley said.

"It's probably the ultimate challenge and I knew I had to be at my very best to nullify his influence. He's a really strong player, able to hold his ground and then he's got his pace, which is as good as anyone in the AFL."

While Shirley got the job done on Judd, Bock enjoyed a standout game on one of the competition's most damaging forwards.

His 15 kicks, seven handballs and nine marks helped set up the Crows' run out of defence, while limiting Fevola to just four more disposals in the second half.

Bock said: "Carlton like to honour the lead and hit that lead-up player, so I knew if I was tight with him all the way and we could get a bit of pressure up the field, then any error, I'd be able to put a spoil on."

After the match Blues coach Brett Ratten said it was a tough day at the office for Judd and Fevola, but expects most teams will target his stars as the season unfolds.

"If they don't fire does that mean Carlton can't fire? No, not at all," he said.

However, on yesterday's evidence, Shirley and Bock mounted a convincing argument that nullifying the captain and the forward will go a long way to beating the Blues.