Furious Carlton coach Brett Ratten has savaged his players over what he says was an "embarrassing" unwillingness to put their bodies on the line against Collingwood at the MCG on Sunday.

The Magpies' 15.15 (105) to 9.3 (57) win confirmed their status as the AFL's form team, their sixth straight victory ensuring they stayed on top of the ladder.

The scoreboard flattered the Blues, who trailed by as much as 73 points 10 minutes into the last term - before some meaningless late goals - and were only that close because of superior accuracy in front of goal.

After Carlton kicked two goals to Collingwood's 1.1 in the first seven minutes, the Magpies kicked 11.12 to 0.1 over the next two-and-a-bit quarters of utter domination to build a 66-point lead midway through the third term.

It was built on enormous physical pressure, Collingwood preventing Carlton from even entering their attack for a long period during the second term, and scoring several goals from dispossessing the Blues deep in their own attack.

Ratten kept the team behind closed doors for at least 30 minutes afterwards, then delivered a stinging public rebuke, accusing players across the board of pulling out of physical contests and embarrassing the club in front of 76,980 fans.

"When you have that deficiency through a game, it is quite embarrassing and it's unacceptable," he said.

"... To see players pull out, not go in and miss tackles, I think it's damning on our brand.

"I think today we were very, very average, when the contest was up for grabs we were found wanting.

"You get a choice and you get to put your body on the line and I don't think today some of our blokes did."

Ratten said the fact that the Blues had 91 fewer possessions than Collingwood and were still out-tackled showed which side was willing to work hard.

"It's like any workplace environment - you have choices and if you keep taking the wrong ones, you lose your job or you get put out and that's what's going to happen."

He forecast changes for what now looms as a huge clash against a resurgent Essendon at the MCG on Friday night and invited the public to put his team under the spotlight.

He said players had promised to make amends but "words are cheap" and the Bombers clash would provide the true indicator of their attitude.

"The evidence will be in our performance, which will be great, Friday night, the whole footy world, they can sit there and critique the individuals and the team and so will we be," he said.

Adding to the Blues' problems, captain Chris Judd went off with a shoulder injury late in the game, although Ratten said the initial diagnosis was bruising and no structural damage.

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse was reluctant to lavish praise on his side, but clearly content.

"It's fair to say if you hold a side down to two goals at halftime in pretty good conditions you're going okay, structurally you're going okay," Malthouse said.

He was also pleased that his side kept the pressure high despite the ballooning margin.

The Magpies' one setback was a bruised knee to Sharrod Wellingham, who did not play the second half after starring in the first.

Their form will next face its biggest test, against Geelong at the MCG on Saturday night.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP