CARLTON'S triple-digit defeat to Adelaide on Saturday night will go down as one of the most woefully inefficient performances since the turn of the century.

The Blues' third loss of the season by more than 100 points came despite them winning inside 50s (61-54), clearances (37-30), contested possessions (144-128) and hit-outs (36-34). 

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It was an ignominious ending to a tough season for Brendon Bolton's side, which won just two matches – the club's lowest tally since 1901.

Carlton did not claim a wooden spoon until 2002 but claimed its fifth this year.

The Blues were the only team this year to win the inside 50s and lose by 100 points and also to win contested possessions and suffer a triple-digit defeat, as well as becoming the second to win clearances and lose by that margin. 

The other club in that latter scenario in 2018 was Gold Coast in round 23 against Geelong.

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Carlton was also the first team in 90 matches since 2002 to go down by 100 points or more despite having an inside 50 advantage.

The last time a side lost by at least 100 points but won the inside 50s was coincidentally the Crows in round four, 2000, when West Coast beat them by 114 points but had five fewer inside 50s.

"It's disappointing," Bolton said after the 104-point hiding at Adelaide's hands. 

"We win the inside 50s, funnily enough, in a big loss. Clearly, there's some issues with efficiency. 

"We turned the ball over far too much – some ordinary decisions. We've got a lot of work to do in that space."