The Blues kicked 15.14 (104) to 9.14 (68) as the Cats suffered just their 11th defeat since the start of 2007.
Carlton set the win up in the second quarter when it kicked six goals to Geelong’s two.
Anyone doubting the potency of the Blues' post- Fevola forward line had their questions answered by small forwards Eddie Betts, Chris Yarran and Jeff Garlett who shared seven goals between them, earning praise from their coach.
“They create excitement through pressure and opportunity... the ball doesn’t have to come in there beautifully and their ability to read the play, pick it off the deck and mark the footy and create something out of nothing is really special,” Brett Ratten said after the game.
“I thought Garlett’s performance was fantastic, Betts’ ability to win the ball in the air and at ground level was pretty critical and Chris just chimed in and was the extra down there.”
Lachlan Henderson struggled to hold his marks and Setanta O’hAilpin was inaccurate in front of goal but midfielder Ryan Houlihan and resting ruckman Matthew Kreuzer added strong contributions up forward.
Carlton’s midfielders had the better of the star-studded Geelong engine room, giving their forwards plenty of opportunities and winning the inside 50s, 51 to 43.
Chris Judd played a superb game despite having Cameron Ling on his tail all day. Judd used his pace to great effect and was superb in the clinches to finish with 27 possessions, 15 of which were contested.
Gary Ablett was one of Geelong's best around the ground and also looked the goods when he went forward to isolate himself against tagger Aaron Joseph.
The reigning Brownlow Medallist was one of few Geelong players to have a good day as Jimmy Bartel and Joel Selwood were surprisingly quiet.
Ablett had 33 possesions, 18 of which were contested but Cats coach Mark Thompson refused to praise his performance after the match, saying he had to wear responsibility as part of an underperforming midfield.
“I don’t think Gary had a great game,” Thompson said.
“He might have looked okay but quite clearly he is part of the group that got outplayed, so I’m not looking at any individuals and pumping them up too much in the midfield because I don’t think we had that many good players in there.”
James Podsiadly had his first ordinary AFL game after a stunning start to his career, presenting well up forward but kicking a wasteful four behinds.
However, he still had more influence than fellow forwards Tom Hawkins and Cameron Mooney, while Steve Johnson had his colours lowered by Jordan Russell.
The Cats have a chance to bounce back when they host Richmond at Skilled Stadium next week while Carlton takes on Collingwood at the MCG.
Carlton 4.3 10.8 12.13 15.14 (104)
Geelong 3.4 5.7 7.10 9.14 (68)
GOALS
Carlton: Garlett 3, Betts 2, Murphy 2, Houlihan 2, Yarran 2, Judd, Kreuzer, O'hAilpin, Scotland
Geelong: Ablett 2, Johnson, Kelly, Hogan, Milburn, Mooney, Selwood, Taylor
BEST
Carlton: Judd, Gibbs, Russell, Carrazzo, Jamison, Armfield, Scotland
Geelong: Ablett, Chapman, Bartel, Milburn, Wojcinski, Mackie.
INJURIES
Carlton: Walker (arm)
Geelong: Corey (knee soreness) replaced in the selected side by Rooke
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Donlon, McBurney, Margetts
Official crowd: 71,399 at MCG
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
