For three quarters it was an arm wrestle.

Then Carlton snapped off Sydney's arm and beat the Swans to a pulp with it in the final quarter for a 61-point AFL win at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

After kicking nine goals to Sydney's none in a final-quarter blitz, the Blues have strengthened their place in the top eight spot with a 19.10 (124) to 9.9 (63) victory.

The loss ensures that Sydney's run of six successive finals series will end this year.

While Carlton have a 9-7 win-loss record and will be in the top eight at the end of this round, Sydney sit at 6-10 with a poor percentage.

Swans coach Paul Roos labelled his side's defeat one of his side's most disappointing games under his command, as they were brushed aside mercilessly in the final term after being in the contest for the opening three.

"It's one of the most disappointing games in the last seven years, no question," Roos said.

"Generally we really fight hard and we can swing the momentum back, but in the last quarter we dropped off significantly and they were able to run.

"I think they are as a group disappointed, but the proof will be how they play next week."

While Brendan Fevola booted five goals, it was the quality of skipper Chris Judd and midfielder Kade Simpson that proved the difference for Carlton.

The Blues were heavily shackled through the second term and only shook off the cuffs with an explosive final quarter.

Judd, with 26 touches, and Simpson (30) were instrumental in lifting the Blues out of their second-quarter lethargy and back from a 15-point deficit early in the third quarter.

Thanks to their endeavours, Brad Fisher booted three timely goals and Fevola two among six Carlton goals in a row through the third quarter.

But Sydney's effectiveness around the stoppages kept them in the match for the first three terms.

When young forward Jesse White booted his fourth goal and Ryan O'Keefe added a major on the three-quarter-time siren, Carlton's lead was whittled back to nine points.

Then Judd and Simpson lifted again, setting up goals to Bryce Gibbs and Andrew Carrazzo inside the opening two minutes of the final term.

The Blues were then able to run riot with seven more goals for the quarter to post their first victory over Sydney in nine years.

Carlton coach Brett Ratten admitted he was thrilled with his side's effort to put together three consecutive wins for the first time since 2004.

"To beat a mature team that has been in the finals for so long, it was really pleasing to get that contribution across the board from a young team," Ratten said.

"From the last two weeks you could see the improvement through the week and then we made the transition to game day."

O'Keefe was easily Sydney's best, gathering 33 possessions and 14 tackles.

The Swans lost defender Ted Richards late in the match with a suspected broken rib and punctured lung after he collided heavily with teammate Craig Bolton and Fevola in a marking contest.

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