CARLTON coach Brett Ratten has hailed the Blues' dominant third quarter against the Sydney Swans at Etihad Stadium on Sunday as their most complete burst of football for the season.

Ratten's men piled on six goals to nil during the third term, extending their lead from 19 points at half-time to 58 at the final change.

After the game, Ratten said he would use that half-hour performance as a benchmark for his team for the rest of 2011.

"When we think we're just down a bit in the next few weeks we can reflect on that to think that's exactly how you put pressure on the ball carrier or the man," he explained.

Having lost ruckman Shaun Hampson to a knee injury during the third quarter, the Blues eased up in the last term, the final margin of 34 points not truly reflecting the way they controlled the contest.

"There was a little bit of fatigue, because we were down one man, but I thought some of our ball use and decision making [was poor] towards the end," Ratten said.

"Maybe a little bit of flair [crept in] or we tried to be a bit too cute and we didn't play the basics as we did in the third quarter.

"I thought we got exposed through our style of play, but I thought there was a bit of fatigue there as well."

Hampson will have scans on his knee in the next 24 hours to determine the extent of the damage.

"He was in really good form, Shaun, so it's a little bit disappointing for him," Ratted stated.

"But if he is out for a week or two it will give him something to reflect on, as in how we expect him to play, because he's been in great form."

David Ellard was also under an injury cloud following the match.

The small forward, who had booted two goals, suffered concussion early in the last quarter when a sling-tackle laid by Swans ruckman Shane Mumford caused his head to hit the ground.

Ellard left the field looking groggy and did not return.

"He's gone off to the hospital for some check-ups and things like that," Ratten said.

"I'm not 100 per cent sure [how he is]. We'll find out probably tonight or first thing tomorrow."

Rapidly emerging as a genuine premiership contender, the Blues still have a couple of aces up their sleeve.

Ruckman Robert Warnock is expected to replace Hampson in the team for next weekend's clash with West Coast at Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon, while star forward Jarrad Waite will return from a hamstring injury in the coming fortnight.

"He went for a bit of a trot the other day and he just didn't feel quite right," Ratten said.

"So we'll just leave it more as a wait-and-see scenario. We won't rush him in.

"He might be one more week, he might play this week, we're just not sure."