Carlton coach Michael Voss has lavished praise on his players after they overcome a week of injury devastation to post a 65-point AFL win over West Coast in Perth.
The Eagles kicked the first two goals of Sunday's match through Jake Waterman, but Carlton piled on 13 of the next 14 majors to set up the 14.15 (99) to 4.10 (34) win in front of 48,455 fans at Optus Stadium.
Blues skipper Patrick Cripps was crucial in the result with 35 possessions and 10 clearances, while George Hewett also racked up 35 disposals.
Defender Brodie Kemp, who had kicked just two goals in his career, starred as a makeshift forward with a game-high four goals, while Jacob Weitering was a rock in defence.
The victory lifted Carlton (13-9) above Fremantle into eighth spot, meaning the Blues' finals destiny is now back in their own hands.
A win over St Kilda at Marvel Stadium next Sunday will guarantee Carlton finals action for a second straight season.
Carlton lost Charlie Curnow (ankle), Harry McKay (quad), Jack Martin (hamstring), Adam Saad (hamstring), Lachie Fogarty (collarbone) and Jordan Boyd (adductor) in their recent 74-point loss to Hawthorn.
With Tom De Koning (foot/lung), Adam Cerra (hamstring), Orazio Fantasia (calf) and Matt Cottrell (shoulder) also on the sidelines, Carlton were forced to rush in debutants Ashton Moir and Cooper Lord as well as second-gamer Jaxon Binns against the Eagles.
Despite the mass changes, Carlton dominated the match on the way to what could prove to be a season-defining win.
"It was huge," Voss said.
"It's been a big week. From taking stock, I guess, after the game (against Hawthorn) and trying to count the bodies, it was just a really hard week.
"What I did say was we'll find out a little bit about us as a footy team and as a footy club.
"I just thought the response was outstanding.
"It was a really well-connected performance. We didn't rely on one individual to get it done, although there were some individual outstanding performances.
"But it took a squad. And when I mean it took a squad, it took the whole squad to be able to get that one done."
The win over West Coast came at a cost, with Corey Durdin dislocating his left shoulder in the third term.
Voss is hopeful Zac Williams only suffered cramp late in the match, rather than a hamstring injury.
Retiring West Coast wingman Andrew Gaff tallied 25 disposals in his 280th and final AFL match, while Harley Reid and Elliot Yeo combined for 15 clearances.
Gaff was given a guard of honour from both sides after the game.
Overall, it was a bitterly disappointing performance from the Eagles, who were also keen to celebrate Jamie Cripps' 250-game milestone in style.
"We're really disappointed that we didn't really turn up," West Coast interim coach Jarrad Schofield said.
"It was a big day for the football club, one for the fans who turn up to see us in our last home game, and sending Andrew Gaff off and (celebrating) Crippa's 250th.
"So there's disappointment there from everyone. We're not shying away from that, but it just shows that this game's brutal.
"We've shown all year that our best is good enough.
"But when you're off and you're not committed to it, through choices that you make - whether through work rate, being clean around the contest - if you collectively don't have the numbers to get it done, you get exposed."
