The Blues surged over the top of Richmond at the MCG on Saturday to upset the Tigers' centenary celebrations by 30 points - 17.16 (118) to 12.16 (88) - in a result that provided the perfect post-script to Carlton's cheeky banner which read 'Congratulations to Richmond on 100 years of yellow and bleak'.
Trailing by one point at three-quarter time, Carlton seized the initiative in the final term with seven goals to the Tigers' two.
Not only did the Blues revive their finals prospects - and plunge a knife into Richmond's - by rebounding strongly after last week's loss to Essendon, they made a huge statement by securing the points without the services of injured skipper Chris Judd.
Nick Stevens filled the leadership vacuum with a best-afield four-quarter performance, including 26 possessions and a game-high 10 tackles, while Bryce Gibbs played one of the best games of his short career in gathering 20 touches, eight marks and three goals.
Brendan Fevola scored two of his four majors when it mattered most for Carlton, early in the final term, to help set the tone when the result was still in the balance, though his opponent Kelvin Moore probably took the honours on the day.
For the Tigers, Joel Bowden (32 possessions) and Brett Deledio, who collected 30 disposals and 11 marks, were busy throughout, though Nathan Brown had a horror day in front of the sticks with six behinds from his six scoring shots.
The first half was more like a tribute to 100 years of circle work than a celebration of the Tigers' 100th anniversary in the VFL/AFL.
Of the 65 marks combined taken for the opening term, not a single one was contested.
The execution and finishing from both teams was disgraceful - Richmond's first seven scoring shots were behinds - considering the total absence of pressure.
It made for a cringe-worthy, soulless spectacle.
Tiger trump Matthew Richardson, who had a disciplined Jarrad Waite for company, was largely peripheral to half-time meandering about the midfield, and it wasn't until the second term that Carlton's ace Fevola got into a groove.
'Fev' scored two goals in the second term but this was cancelled out by Cleve Hughes' three in that same period.
Coming off a six-goal haul against Port Adelaide last week, the 21-year-old was too mobile and strong overhead for Setanta O'hAilpin.
The game came alive in the third term when the Blues scored three in the first eight minutes to cancel out the Tigers' 12-point half-time lead.
Brad Fisher was the catalyst with one of his own and a super assist for a Stevens snap from distance.
Richmond responded with a grubbed goal to 'Richo' which brought the Tiger Army at the Punt Road end to its feet, and a couple to Mitch Morton from strong contested marks to wrest back the initiative and the lead at the final change.
Richmond went into the last quarter without Richardson with a strained hamstring, but it's doubtful that even he at his best would have been able to turn the tide.
RICHMOND: 2.7, 7.9, 10.13, 12.16 (88)
CARLTON: 1.5, 5.9, 10.12, 17.16 (118)
GOALS: Richmond: Hughes 3, Morton 3, Polak, Simmonds, Deledio, Richardson, Johnson, Riewoldt
Carlton: Fevola 4, Gibbs 3, Fisher 2, Betts 2, Grigg, Edwards, Stevens, Wiggins, Cloke, Murphy
BEST: Richmond: Bowden, Deledio, Cotchin, Moore, Newman
Carlton: Stevens, Gibbs, Scotland, Waite, Fisher, Murphy
INJURIES: Richmond: Richardson (hamstring)