Carlton has broken through for its second win of the season, disposing of Gold Coast by 35 points at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night to cap off a great week for the club.
After recommitting for a further two years earlier in the week, Patrick Cripps celebrated with a best on ground display in the 12.7 (79) to 5.14 (44) triumph.
Following a first half marred by shocking skills from both teams, Carlton cut loose with a seven-goal third quarter to blow the game open and snap a nine-game losing streak.
And while trusted hands Cripps (38 disposals, 11 tackles and a goal) and skipper Marc Murphy (36 and a goal) were highly influential, it was the Blues' "green shoots", as so famously coined by coach Brendon Bolton, that lit-up Carrara.
Sam Petrevski-Seton played arguably his best game for the club, with his poise and quality ball use standing out in the greasy conditions.
The number six pick from the 2016 NAB AFL Draft finished with 26 quality touches, including a lovely pass to the leading Charlie Curnow to give the Blues the lead early in the third quarter.
It was a lead they would not relinquish.
Tall forward Harry McKay kicked the next goal from 45m after a nice mark in front of Steven May, Paddy Dow exploded away from Nick Holman to take a bounce and finish from 40m on the run with an exhilarating goal and Jack Silvagni finished the party tricks with a soccered goal off the left boot from the top of the goalsquare.
After conceding the first three goals of the game, the Blues thoroughly dominated their opponents for the final three-and-a-half terms, outworking Gold Coast around the contest and in space.
Reliable pair Kade Simpson (29) and Ed Curnow (28) were also strong contributors.
The Blues are now two games adrift of the 17th placed SUNS with four rounds remaining and still the faintest of faint hopes of avoiding the wooden spoon.
Gold Coast kicked just two goals after the 12-minute mark of the opening term.
It was a dirty night for the SUNS just seven days after the greatest win in club history when it remarkably upset Sydney at the SCG.
Not only did they lose, but captain May is on report for a high bump on Ed Curnow, while David Swallow missed the final three quarters with
May was the SUNS' best player, while young midfielders Will Brodie and Jesse Lonergan also tried hard.
GOLD COAST 3.3 3.6 4.8 5.14 (44)
CARLTON 1.2 3.4 10.6 12.7 (79)
GOALS
Gold Coast: Wright 2, Bowes, May, Powell
Carlton: Dow 2, Lang 2, Cripps, Curnow, Lamb, McKay, Murphy, O'Brien, Silvagni, Wright
BEST
Gold Coast: May, Harbrow, Brodie, Lonergan
Carlton: Cripps, Murphy, Petrevski-Seton, Simpson, Weitering
INJURIES
Gold Coast: Swallow (concussion)
Carlton: Weitering (leg)
Reports: May (high contact)
Umpires: O'Gorman,
Official crowd: 10,776 at Metricon Stadium
