Carlton co-captain Patrick Cripps after the win against Gold Coast. Picture: Getty Images via AFL Photos

CARLTON isn't ruing a potential percentage-booster against Gold Coast after its wasteful display in front of goal on Friday night. 

The Blues were too good for a lacklustre Suns outfit as they opened Sir Doug Nicholls Round with 33-point win at TIO Stadium. 

WASTEFUL BLUES CRUISE Full match coverage and stats

The Darwin drubbing could have been far stronger for the Blues, however, who posted 7.18 to the Suns' meagre 4.3. 

It was the most behinds the Blues have kicked since round 23, 2016, but with a logjam around the top eight Blues coach David Teague wasn't bothered by the missed opportunity for extra percentage. 

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 05:44

    Full post-match: Suns

    Watch Gold Coast's press conference after round 13's match against Carlton

    AFL
  • 09:14

    Full post-match: Blues

    Watch Carlton's press conference after round 13's match against Gold Coast

    AFL
  • 00:25

    WATCH: Betts, Rankine in special jumper-swap moment

    Eddie Betts and Izak Rankine show respect in Sir Doug Nicholls Round

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  • 06:15

    Highlights: Gold Coast v Carlton

    The Suns and Blues clash in round 13

    AFL
  • 00:28

    Bowes' blunder gifts Newnes

    Jack Newnes takes full advantage after Jack Bowes fumbles deep in defence

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  • 00:28

    Swarming Suns too much for Blues to handle

    Lachie Weller the beneficiary of Gold Coast's high pressure down the corridor

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  • 00:34

    Betts beguiles Blues fans in the Top End

    Carlton star Eddie Betts delights the crowd after hard running from Fisher

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  • 00:32

    Newnes returns the favour with the cleanest of hands

    Carlton's Michael Gibbons kicks precisely from Jack Newnes' terrific goal assist

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"The percentage doesn't faze me as much – at the end [of the season] we might come back to it – but it's more our way in finishing our work and the team that we want to be," he said. 

"I thought we did a lot right and that was probably the one thing that let us down – some of our ball use and decision-making with the ball. 

"As a whole it was pretty good but it probably wasn't quite at the standard that we want to achieve so we've got some work to do and we've got to get better in that area." 

09:14

Full post-match: Blues

Watch Carlton's press conference after round 13's match against Gold Coast

The Blues evened their season's ledger at 6-6 with the win and kept themselves in the hunt for a finals berth for the first time since 2013. 

Teague viewed the performance as one of his side's most complete of the season with the spread of contributors, with veteran Marc Murphy starring in the midfield and Harry McKay a focal point in attack with 2.4. 

The defeat leaves the Suns with only one win from their past nine games, with coach Stuart Dew lamenting a poor start in the loss. 

Gold Coast was held scoreless in the opening quarter and never made up ground in the slippery and humid conditions.

05:44

Full post-match: Suns

Watch Gold Coast's press conference after round 13's match against Carlton

"We were on the back foot from the start and I think the disappointing part is we've got to find a way when things aren't going well or when the opposition's playing well," he said.

"How can we arrest momentum? We were unable to do that tonight which we're disappointed with. We hardly saw glimpses, to be honest, from where we've been."

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