Carlton are 6-2 for the first time since 1996 after comfortably beating Adelaide by 48 points at Marvel Stadium on Sunday evening.
In Round 8’s final game, the Blues led from midway through the first term to put the Crows to the sword with 17 majors.
After a tight opening 30 minutes, Michael Voss’ side blew the game open with six goals to three in the second term to take a 26-point lead into the main break.
It only got uglier from there, with the Blues piling on six goals to zero in the third as the result was well and truly settled by the final break.
With the sting out of the game in the last, Adelaide kicked five goals to two as they brought the margin back a touch as Carlton understandably went into conservation mode.
Continuing his stunning form, Brownlow fancy Patrick Cripps could have another three-vote game as the Blues captain dominated with two goals and 35 disposals.
He was well helped by running mates Adam Cerra (27 disposals) and Matt Kennedy (one goal, 23 disposals) as Carlton dominated the clearance count 41-31.
Up forward, Charlie Curnow was imposing with six goals and 21 disposals, while Harry McKay slotted three of his own.
As the Crows mentally checked out during the third quarter, the likes of Zac Fisher (two goals, 23 disposals) and Jack Silvangni (two goals) were also able to make a dint on the scoreboard.
The win also injects the Blues into the top four for the first time since 2012. They’ll hope to play in September again after last playing finals footy in 2013.
For the Crows, off-season recruit Jordan Dawson was impressive with one goal and 30 disposals, stand-in captain Ben Keays (29 disposals) and Rory Laird (33 disposals) can also hold their heads high.
The only concern for the Blues was a calf injury to Jack Martin, while Adelaide’s Lachie Murphy was subbed out with a neck concern.
Carlton will go in favourites to make it three consecutive wins when they face the Giants in Sydney, while Adelaide face a tough task in Brisbane at home next Saturday night.
FULL SCORE
Carlton: 3.3, 9.6, 15.12, 17.14. (116)
Adelaide: 2.2, 5.4, 5.6, 10.8. (68)
GOALS
Carlton: Curnow 6, McKay 3, Fisher 2, Cripps 2, Silvagni 2, Kennedy, Newnes
Adelaide: McAdam 2, Walker 2, Rachele, Cook, Dawson, Frampton, Himmelberg, Schoenberg
BEST
Carlton: Patrick Cripps, Charlie Curnow, Adam Cerra, Zac Fisher, Sam Docherty, Matt Kennedy
Adelaide: Jordan Dawson, Rory Laid, Ben Keays, Sam Berry, Harry Schoenberg
INJURIES
Carlton: Jack Martin (calf tightness)
Adelaide: Lachie Murphy (neck)