Carlton is a club in crisis after its worst start to a season in 25 years, losing to Melbourne by 23 points at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.
On a glorious day for the Demons, who won their first match since round 14 last season, the Blues plunged to new depths and remain winless after four games for the first time since 1989.
Mick Malthouse's men trailed from early in the second quarter and couldn't muster the effort or spirit to match with the desperate Demons, who won 12.9 (81) to 7.16 (58).
The Melbourne faithful celebrated with vigour on the final siren while Carlton supporters headed to the players' race to vent their frustration.
The Blues kicked 0.5 at the start of the fourth quarter before Melbourne converted its first shot on goal for the term, with Jack Watts putting his team 22 points ahead.
From there they held on for an extraordinary win, with heroes all over the ground.
Co-captain Nathan Jones (28 possessions), young midfielder Jack Viney (20 and four clearances) and James Frawley, who played forward and kicked two goals were all outstanding.
Carlton was examined forensically after its humiliating loss to Essendon in round three and there will be no respite in the week that follows.
It was the first time a Malthouse coached team had started the season 0-4, while Melbourne coach Paul Roos celebrated his first win with the Demons.
Carlton captain Marc Murphy was dominated by Nathan Jones, finishing with just 18 possessions, while Michael Jamison lowered his colours against Frawley, who finished with 24 possessions and 14 marks.
High-profile recruit Dale Thomas suffered a shoulder injury while young midfielder Troy Menzel was substituted early with a corked calf.
The Demons kicked five unanswered goals either side of quarter-time to open up a 17-point lead in their best period of play for the season.
The run rattled the Blues, who were undermanned as Thomas had his shoulder problem examined and Menzel donned the red vest.
It had been a sloppy opening from the Demons, but they cleaned up their ball use and kicked long and direct to Frawley, who was relishing his new forward role.
The former defender entered half time with 12 possessions, seven marks and 2.1 to his name, playing in a tall forward line alongside returning goalkicker Chris Dawes and Jack Watts.
At the other end of the ground, Demon Tom McDonold had held Lachie Henderson to just one goal as the Blues struggled to find key targets.
In the VFL, dropped forward Jarrad Waite was impressing, raising question marks about the Blues’ selection policy this week.
CARLTON 3.4 5.9 6.11 7.16 (58)
MELBOURNE 3.2 6.7 10.8 12.9 (81)
GOALS
Carlton: Ellard 2, Yarran 2, Murphy, Casboult, Henderson,
Melbourne: Frawley 2, Dawes 2, Bail 2, Watts 2, N. Jones, Dunn, Kennedy-Harris, Pedersen
BEST
Carlton: Curnow, Yarran, Walker, Gibbs
Melbourne: Jones, Frawley, Watts, Viney, Dawes, Grimes, Spencer, McDonald
INJURIES
Carlton: Menzel (left thigh), Thomas (left shoulder), Jamison (shoulder)
Melbourne: Terlich (hamstring)
SUBSTITUTES
Carlton: Nick Graham replaced Troy Menzel at quarter-time.
Melbourne: Michael Evans replaced Dean Terlich in the third quarter.
Reports: Robbie Warnock (Carlton) reported for striking Jake Spencer (Melbourne) in the third quarter.
Umpires: Dalgleish, Mitchell, Mollison
Official crowd: 37,323 at the MCG.
