Carlton caretaker coach David Teague has taken another massive step to securing the job full-time with the Blues’ upset 27-point AFL win over Adelaide.
The 13.9 (87) to 9.6 (60) win on Saturday at the MCG and will have even greater ramifications at Adelaide, who have lost four of their past five and are in danger of dropping out of the top eight.
By contrast, the resurgent Blues have won five out of seven since Brendon Bolton’s sacking at the start of last month.
Carlton have won three in a row for the first time since early in 2016.
It also narrows the gap between Carlton and Adelaide on the ladder, which is significant given the controversial Liam Stocker live trade in last year’s national draft.
The higher the Blues finish up the ladder, the better that highly speculative trade looks for them.
Just as Teague’s star is soaring, Blues midfielder Patrick Cripps has surely gone three votes closer to the Brownlow Medal with a sublime performance.
Cripps had 39 disposals – 24 of them contested – and 19 clearances.
Adelaide only had 29 clearances as a team.
Key defender Liam Jones also continued his outstanding form by shutting out Josh Jenkins, while ruck-forward Levi Casboult played out out of his skin with three goals and 10 hitouts.
The Crows made big selection calls for this game, particularly the axing of much-loved forward Eddie Betts.
His replacement Tyson Stengle kicked the first goal of the game with a clever snap.
Adelaide opened with two of the first three goals as maligned captain Taylor Walker led superbly.
But Sam Petrevski-Seton won possession with a massive defensive play and, within seconds, Carlton had goaled midway through the opening term.
The Blues led by four points at quarter-time and as the long-suffering Carlton faithful found full voice, their team surged.
Carlton kicked three goals to one in the second term for a 16-point lead and should have been further ahead, with 15 scoring shots to nine.
Crows midfielder Rory Sloane led their third-quarter fightback. After Carlton blew the lead out to 28 points, two Adelaide majors kept the contest tight.
But a late goal to veteran Carlton defender Kade Simpson was crucial and they led by 22 at the last break.
Josh Deluca’s goal within 30 seconds of the restart was the worst-possible result for Adelaide.
Two goals brought them again to within 16 points, but Will Setterfield capped his fine game with a snapped goal at 21 minutes to kill off the contest.