Carlton coach Michael Voss called for matchday reports to be scrapped after star defender Jacob Weitering was cited for striking during the Blues' 60-point rout of Hawthorn at the MCG.
After losing eight of nine matches, the Blues backed up their 59-point thumping of Gold Coast before the bye to win consecutive games for the first time in three months and remain in AFL finals contention.
Hawthorn failed to register a goal until Mitch Lewis' major six minutes into the third quarter, their worst first-half in six years, as the Blues cantered to a 17.10 (112) to 7.10 (52) victory.
But vice-captain Weitering faces a nervous wait after being cited for striking Hawthorn ruckman Lloyd Meek in an off-the-ball incident during the third quarter.
Voss thought the contact "didn't classify as high" and believed umpires should "absolutely" stop making gameday reports and leave it to the match review officer.
"That's why we've got the MRO," he said.
"If there's any doubt, just wait. It won't get missed, I guarantee."
Weitering also seemed relaxed about the incident.
"I've never been placed on report before. I felt like it was an open hand on the chest," he told Fox Footy.
"I play the game pretty hotly contested, so we'll just see."
Carlton were back to the attacking form that almost earned them a 2022 finals spot, and combined it with a strong defensive plan as they strangled the 16th-placed Hawks.
The match was essentially over when Voss' men led by 50 at the main break, even if the Hawks enjoyed a brief resurgence after Lewis' goal as they reduced the deficit to 38.
Despite enduring a season well below internal and external expectations, the Blues (6-1-8) find themselves just a game-and-a-half outside the top-eight.
If they can defeat Fremantle at Optus Stadium next Saturday night, Carlton will genuinely be back in contention to end their 10-year finals drought.
Hawthorn, who shocked premiership fancies Brisbane at the MCG only a month ago, put in one of their poorer performances since Sam Mitchell became coach ahead of the 2022 season.
The Hawks' young midfield was shown up by Carlton captain Patrick Cripps (28 possessions, eight clearances), Adam Cerra (27, six) and Sam Walsh, while Charlie Curnow and Jack Martin kicked three goals each in a huge improvement up forward for the Blues.
Carlton also won without a recognised ruckman after the out-of-contract Tom De Koning (knee) was a late withdrawal and joined Marc Pittonet on the sidelines.
Recalled Jack Silvangi, defender Lewis Young and even Cripps were forced to handle the ruck contests against the Hawthorn duo of Meek and Ned Reeves.
Mitchell was bitterly disappointed by the performance.
"We just started the game so energy-less," Mitchell said.
"After the game, we basically asked the players three questions and said, 'What happened? Why? And what are we going to do about it?'
"There's a lot of issues in the game that came to the front very early, and then we're chasing tail from there."
