Hawthorn has moved back to the top of the ladder after defeating a courageous Carlton line-up by 15 points in a tough and rugged encounter at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.
Coming off a bye, the Hawks were outplayed for much of the game, and twice trailed by 17 points during the early stages of the third quarter.
But they booted four goals to two in the final term, winning 15.12 (102) to 13.9 (87) for their 10th straight win this season.
It was Hawthorn’s 10th in a row over the Blues, who haven’t beaten the Hawks since round six, 2005.
The contest went down to the wire, with Blues sharp-shooter Eddie Betts missing a chance to bring his team within four points with just two minutes remaining.
A great pass from Hawthorn big man Jarryd Roughead then allowed speedster Bradley Hill to seal the result in the dying seconds.
Carlton was left to rue the loss of skipper Marc Murphy during the second quarter after he suffered a suspected broken jaw in an accidental head-clash with Hawthorn captain Luke Hodge.
Murphy was subbed out of the game before half-time and was taken by ambulance to hospital during the third term.
Speaking to Channel 7 after the match, Hodge said his intent was to go for the ball.
"I didn't realise he was there until we turned around,” he said.
“We both had eyes on the ball. Unfortunately in football you do have collisions, and I think that's what you've got to expect sometimes. It was definitely not intentional."
Despite losing Murphy, who is the Blues' No. 1 midfielder according to the Official AFL Player Ratings, the Blues still won the possession count and won 52 clearances to 30.
But thanks to a number of inspirational acts from Hodge and eight goals between Roughead and Lance Franklin, the Hawks extended their perfect run since losing in round one to Geelong.
Sam Mitchell (24 possessions and a goal) and Grant Birchall (23 touches) were the leading ball-winners for Alastair Clarkson's side, while defender Josh Gibson held Carlton spearhead Jarrad Waite to only seven possessions and two goals.
Hodge's numbers (15 possessions, four marks, one goal) might not look spectacular on paper, but he repeatedly dragged his team back into the contest with strong bumps, tackles and courageous marks.
However, his high contact on Blues defender Lachie Henderson during the second term is likely to attract the attention of the Match Review Panel.
Carlton conceded the opening three goals of the game, but Mitch Robinson, who was unhappy to be subbed out during the narrow loss Essendon the previous week, was the catalyst behind its impressive comeback.
Robinson kicked a goal and laid some bone-crunching tackles as the Blues closed to within two points at the first change.
By the mid-point of the second term, Malthouse's men had booted six of the last seven goals, but the loss of Murphy and a shoulder injury suffered by Robinson just before half-time proved costly .
In his 250th game, Chris Judd (29 possessions, nine clearances, one goal) was a standout performer in the midfield for Carlton, while Brock McLean (33 disposals, nine clearances) played his heart out.
Betts finished as Carlton's leading scorer with three majors.
The Blues have a bye next weekend, while Hawthorn will be aiming to post its 11th win of the season when it hosts West Coast at Etihad Stadium next Friday night.
CARLTON 4.2. 8.5 11.6 13.9 (87)
HAWTHORN 4.4 6.6 11.8 15.12 (102)
GOALS
Carlton: Betts 3, Waite 2, Casboult, Robinson, Tuohy, Gibbs, Kreuzer, Judd, Rowe, Armfield
Hawthorn: Roughead 4, Franklin 4, Gunston 3, Hale, Mitchell, Hodge, Hill
BEST
Carlton: Gibbs, McLean, Judd, Simpson, Kreuzer, Waite, Robinson, Tuohy
Hawthorn: Mitchell, Roughead, Birchall, Hodge, Gunston, Franklin
INJURIES
Carlton: Andrew Carrazzo (calf) replaced in selected side by Sam Rowe, Marc Murphy (suspected broken jaw)
Hawthorn: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Carlton: Kane Lucas replaced Marc Murphy in the second quarter
Hawthorn: Jonathan Simpkin replaced Max Bailey in the third quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Stevic, Nicholls, Chamberlain
Official crowd: 45,670 at Etihad Stadium
