Carlton fans were wondering if their team's win at the SCG in round six had been an aberration. After all, the Swans had won 13 of the 14 meetings between the two sides prior to that game.
But inspired by big Matthew Kreuzer, who was playing his second game since returning from a knee reconstruction, Carlton turned the match on its head by booting 14 of the next 15 goals.
The avalanche included six unanswered goals in the third quarter, during which the Swans managed only a single behind.
Far too skilful and fast for their overwhelmed opponents, the Blues eventually prevailed by 34 points (they had led by 65 points seven minutes into the last quarter) and once again demonstrated their premiership credentials.
The leading ball-winner on the ground at half-time, by which time he'd gathered 14 possessions, Kreuzer finished with 24 touches, seven tackles and two goals.
Marc Murphy (29 possessions, six tackles, two goals) and Bryce Gibbs (30 disposals and a goal) were among the many other impressive contributors for the winners.
Carlton's 15.10 (100) to 10.6 (66) win gave it consecutive victories over the Swans for the first time since 1998 (back then David Parkin was the coach and Craig Bradley the captain).
The only downside for the Blues was a knee injury to ruckman Shaun Hampson, which saw him subbed out of the game during the third quarter and replaced by Ryan Houlihan.
Just two points shy of the top-four prior to the game, the Swans looked anything but flag contenders.
Continually let down by poor ball-use, they kicked only one goal between the 15 minute mark of the first quarter and the 10 minute mark of the last.
Sam Reid's clanger shortly after half-time was a classic example of their travails.
Reid had the ball just outside the 50m line when he tried to pass to Jude Bolton, who was on his own in the goalsquare.
But Reid kicked the ball too hard and it evaded his teammate and went through for a behind.
Making matters worse for the Swans, ruckman Shane Mumford is sure to be looked at by the match review panel after his sling-tackle resulted in David Ellard's head slamming into the turf during the last quarter.
Ellard left the field looking groggy and didn't return.
Carlton 4.2 7.4 13.8 15.10 (100)
Sydney Swans 3.1 4.3 4.4 10.6 (66)
GOALS
Carlton: Kreuzer 2, Murphy 2, Garlett 2, Walker 2, Ellard 2, Robinson, Henderson, Judd, Yarran, Gibbs
Sydney Swans: Goodes 2, Jack 2, Bird, Malceski, Shaw, Jetta, Bolton, McGlynn
BEST
Carlton: Kreuzer, Murphy, Yarran, Gibbs, Scotland
Sydney Swans: Smith, Kennedy, Hannebery, Reid
INJURIES
Carlton: Shaun Hampson (knee), David Ellard (concussion)
Sydney Swans: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Carlton: Shaun Hampson (knee) replaced by Ryan Houlihan in the third quarter
Sydney Swans: Mark Seaby replaced by Lewis Jetta in the third quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Jennings, Ryan, Armstrong
Official crowd: 42,788 at Etihad Stadium
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
