A Bblistering six-goal third term set Carlton up for a highly impressive 48-point win over Adelaide at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.
The Blues are now in fourth place eight rounds into the season, kicking 42 points to just two in the premiership quarter to record a 17.14 (116) to 10.8 (68) victory.
It was a less-than-ideal first game in charge for acting senior coach Scott Burns against old adversary Michael Voss, with Matthew Nicks out of action due to health and safety protocols.
Adelaide finally broke through in the final term against the tiring Blues, taking some risks through the middle of the ground to reduce the margin from its highest point of 68.
Carlton's powerful forward combination of Charlie Curnow (six goals) and Harry McKay (three) were dominant, alongside strong midfield work resulting in 74 inside 50s to 49.
Adelaide wasn't completely outplayed in the first half – Carlton skipped out to a 27-point lead and the Crows briefly regained some ascendancy in the middle, kicking two goals, before Curnow and McKay once again combined to go into half-time 26 points ahead.
Jack Martin was subbed off at half-time with a calf complaint, while Adelaide's Lachie Murphy was subbed at three-quarter time after receiving treatment on his neck, having undergone surgery on the area over summer.
CARLTON 3.3 9.6 15.12 17.14 (116)
ADELAIDE 2.2 5.4 5.6 10.8 (68)
GOALS
Carlton: Curnow 6, McKay 3, Cripps 2, Fisher 2, Silvagni 2, Newnes, Kennedy
Adelaide: Walker 2, McAdam 2, Rachele, Dawson, Frampton, Schoenberg, Himmelberg, Cook
BEST
Carlton: Cripps, Docherty, Curnow, Cerra, Kennedy, McKay
Adelaide: Laird, Dawson, Keays, Berry, Jones
INJURIES
Carlton: Martin (calf)
Adelaide: Murphy (neck)
SUBSTITUTES
Carlton: Matt Cottrell (replaced Martin in the third quarter)
Adelaide: James Rowe (replaced Murphy in the fourth quarter)
