Carlton won, and so did Melbourne as a prized priority draft pick moved a step closer with another sizeable AFL defeat.

The Blues made it seven wins from their past eight games with a comfortable 57-point victory over the Demons at Etihad Stadium on Saturday, spearheaded by a seven-goal haul to forward Brendan Fevola.

Small forward Jeff Garlett also chipped in with four goals in the Blues' 24.9 (153) to 15.6 (96) win.

Melbourne only need to lose against top-of-the-table St Kilda in their final home-and-away match next weekend to secure the two best under-18 players in the country at the upcoming national draft.

Under AFL draft rules, the Demons would get picks one and two following two successive seasons of managing no more than 16 premiership points.

They have 16 points this season, with just four wins.

If Melbourne wanted an example of how mediocrity - and the draft picks and trade currency it brings - can eventually turn your club around, they only had to look at the men in blue running rings around them through the midfield.

Previous No.1 draft picks Bryce Gibbs (34 disposals) and Marc Murphy (37) were magnificent for Carlton, marquee star Chris Judd was brilliant at the contested ball, and other top 10 draft picks Andrew Walker and Jordan Russell were also prominent.

The Blues team, built on the draft selections made during their horror stretch through the middle of the decade, are now guaranteed to play finals football for the first time since 2001.

Coach Brett Ratten said he believed his side had plenty of room for improvement heading into the finals, and were attempting some subtle tweaking against the Dees and against Adelaide in their final home-and-away match next week.

"We thought we were off a little bit at the start of the game, but we also spoke about the opportunity to rehearse a few things during the game," Ratten said.

"We were trying to fine-tune every bit of play as we will next week. Then we get the opportunity to play finals."

Melbourne started brightly and were well served by forwards Russell Robertson and Mark Jamar, who booted five goals apiece for the match.

But Carlton took control midway through the second term to take a 26-point lead to halftime, and ran away with the game in the third as Fevola booted four of his goals.

The Demons were restricted in their interchanges with the early loss of defender Matthew Whelan and forward Ricky Petterd to injury, and fell away completely in the final term.

Whelan succumbed to a hamstring problem, which could prematurely finish his career should he be unable to play next week as he will retire at season's end.

Carlton also lost onballer Richard Hadley with a suspected broken arm.

The Blues later released details of Hadley's injury in a statement.

"X-rays have confirmed he has a broken ulna," the club said.

"Richard will see a specialist early in the week to determine the most appropriate action for his rehabilitation."

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