The Brisbane Lions have shut down Carlton's twin towers to secure a crucial 26-point win over the fast-finishing Blues at Docklands Stadium and move top of the AFL ladder.
Renowned for their attacking flair, the Lions did it at both ends on Friday night as Blues spearheads Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay were restricted to just one goal each.
After matching Brisbane with five goals in an opening-quarter shootout, the Blues then performed dismally by kicking just one major during the next two terms as the Lions set-up a commanding 15.10 (100) to 11.8 (74) victory.
With the result all but assured in the final quarter, the Lions' intensity dropped off and Carlton whittled down the lead with five goals.
After starting the season 1-2, the Lions have won five-straight matches to put their premiership credentials on display and grab top position on the ladder.
However, Collingwood, Melbourne and St Kilda will all overtake the Lions if they win their respective round-eight matches.
Superstar small forward Charlie Cameron booted four goals to make it 23 from his last five games, while the dynamic Zac Bailey joined him with a season-best four majors.
Coming off a nine-goal outing against lowly West Coast last week, Curnow was kept to just one by unheralded Lions defender Jack Payne.
Dual All-Australian full-back Harris Andrews was one of the most influential players on the ground, limiting McKay's output and patrolling the back-half with command.
McKay spent some time off the ground in the second quarter after he was bleeding from his right eye following a collision with Andrews.
However, the Lions co-captain would have to be seriously unlucky to be cited by the match review officer for the incident as both players had eyes only for the ball.
Star recruit Josh Dunkley continued his outstanding start with the Queensland club, picking up an equal game-high 33 touches, while Hugh McLuggage made a welcome return to form.
Last week's 108-point thrashing of the Eagles got critics off the Blues' back but fans will be demanding answers after a largely listless effort led to them losing a third match from their last four.
As the siren sounded for three-quarter-time, a chorus of boos echoed around the stadium as Carlton trailed by 40 points.
The Blues won the final quarter but the final score flattered them in a disappointing outing for coach Michael Voss against his former club.
This match was the first of a difficult run for Carlton, with the Western Bulldogs, Collingwood, Sydney and Melbourne to follow in the next month.
After falling short of the top-eight in heartbreaking fashion last year, the pressure is on the Blues to play finals for the first time since 2013.
AAP
