The Swans led by nine points at half time after a strong second term, but the Blues kicked 15 goals to three after half time to win 19.10 (124) to 9.9 (63), their first victory over the Swans since round eight in 2000.
Carlton is now cemented inside the top half of the ladder after moving one game ahead of eighth-placed Essendon.
The Swans, who failed to kick a goal in the final term, have now lost six of their last seven starts. Their finals hopes appear dashed after they drifted two games and percentage from the top eight.
The afternoon was soured further for the visitors when Ted Richards left the field coughing up blood after being accidentally kneed in the ribs by Brendan Fevola 30 seconds before the final siren.
The Blues were led by captain Chris Judd, who finished with 26 touches and seven clearances, while Fevola kicked 5.2.
For the Swans, Ryan O'Keefe broke away from Shaun Grigg for 33 disposals, Jesse White was the focal point up forward for four goals, and Darren Jolly had an amazing 42 hit-outs.
O'Keefe kicked the first goal of the game six minutes in, but Fevola replied for the Blues two minutes later.
From there, Carlton was able to hold advantage for the remainder of the term after taking better advantage of their forward ventures. The Blues had nine inside-50s for a return of seven scores, while the Swans had 11 for just four.
The Blues moved 14 points clear midway through the quarter when Judd intercepted a Craig Bolton handpass and steamed into the forward 50, but the Swans were able to re-enter the contest as the clock ticked into red time.
White got away from Adam Hartlett three times late in the term for two goals. When Fevola missed an opportunity with only minutes remaining, the Blues took only a three-point lead into the second despite their forward dominance.
The absence of defender Michael Jamison, a late withdrawal with a groin complaint, became even more critical as Carlton struggled to contain White in the second.
Kreuzer pushed forward to kick the first goal of the term, but the next went to O'Loughlin after White bombed a set shot into the goal-square that was booted off the ground by his teammate.
Paul Bower went to White, but the big Swan broke away at the 20-minute mark to kick his third, giving his side the lead for the first time since early in the first term.
Judd kicked a point as the Blues desperately rallied, but the Swans finished the term with the momentum and final two scores – a point to White and a goal to Jolly – and took a nine-point lead into the second half.
The Blues' midfield stepped it up in the third and began to win more contested ball, and it translated on the scoreboard after the Swans got the first goal through Luke Ablett.
The next three went the way of Carlton with Murphy, Fevola and Brad Fisher kicking truly. After the Swans had moved 15 points clear, they suddenly found themselves four points in arrears.
The Blues attacked again through Fisher, who nailed two goals in as many minutes before Fevola kicked truly to move them 21 points in front.
The Swans came back to kick the last two goals of the term, with White snaring his fourth at the 30-minute mark before O'Keefe kicked his second with one second remaining.
In the final term, the traffic was all one way as the Blues stormed home from their nine-point three-quarter time lead to kick nine unanswered majors.
Carlton will now play Collingwood on Friday night at the MCG, while the Swans will face Melbourne at Manuka Oval on Sunday.
Carlton 3.4 4.6 10.8 19.10 (124)
Sydney Swans 3.1 6.3 9.5 9.9 (63)
GOALS
Carlton: Fevola 5, Fisher 3, Kreuzer 2, Murphy 2, Gibbs 2, Judd, Yarran, Simpson, Carrazzo, Betts
Sydney Swans: White 4, O'Keefe 2, O'Loughlin, Jolly, Ablett
BEST
Carlton: Judd, Houlihan, Fevola, Simpson, Murphy, Gibbs, Kreuzer, Hampson
Sydney Swans: O'Keefe, Jolly, White, Shaw, Goodes, McVeigh, C. Bolton
INJURIES
Carlton: Jamison (groin) out, replaced in selected side by Hartlett
Sydney Swans: Malceski (TBA), Pyke (TBA) out, replaced in selected side by Bevan, Ablett, Richards (ribs)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Rosebury, Schmitt, Avon
Official crowd: 42,018 at Docklands
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
