Blues suffer record AFL loss

Carlton have suffered the greatest losing margin in their 151-year AFL history, falling to Hawthorn by 138 points.

The 27.11 (173) to 4.11 (35) slaughter on Friday night at Etihad Stadium surpassed Carlton’s 124-point loss against North Melbourne in 2003.

It was also Hawthorn’s biggest winning margin over the Blues, easily surpassing the previous mark of 100 points.

Carlton also posted, by one point, their lowest score against the Hawks.

Adding to the misery, pre-game the Blues marked the 20th anniversary of their most recent premiership.

It is the first time Carlton have been uncompetitive since John Barker took over as interim coach two months ago.

The disaster is undeniably a blow to Barker’s chances of staying coach beyond this season.

Only 26,815 fans attended the game – across town, nearly 100,000 were at the MCG for Real Madrid’s soccer friendly against Manchester City.

Hawthorn’s banner said “Tonight We Feast” and they came with a hearty appetite.

Following big wins over fellow top sides Fremantle and Sydney, the goal gluttony again showed the Hawthorn machine is on track for a third straight premiership.

But an easy night’s work came at some cost, with defender Matthew Spangher subbed off late in the second term because of a hamstring injury.

Key forward Jarryd Roughead limped off late in the third term after a big collision, but he played out the game.

Carlton’s Nick Holman was reported for a crude spoil that collected Luke Breust high in the first term.

Blues forward Liam Jones is also in trouble for similar high contact on Billy Hartung in the second quarter.

And Hawks backman Josh Gibson will face video scrutiny for punching Blaine Boekhorst in the midriff during the first term.

At three-quarter time, Carlton had kicked just two goals – half of what Real Madrid had managed across town at the MCG.

Hawthorn goals were often just greeted with polite applause and commentators had to find other ways to liven the game coverage.

North Melbourne great Wayne Carey certainly raised eyebrows when he speculated on the Seven Network whether Hawks great Sam Mitchell would manage a game at any other club.

“I think he is a champion of this club, but the fact that his pace in and around the footy, I think that’s why he is such a good player because they are such a good team,” Carey argued.

“I think in any other team his pace would be a concern.”

Highlighting the chorus of disapproval was Adelaide star Patrick Dangerfield.

One of Carey’s nicknames is Duck and Dangerfield offered this on Twitter: “Bronwyn Bishop’s helicopter flight from Melb to Geelong was tax players (sic) money well spent. #thingstheducksays”

Mitchell was among Hawthorn’s best with 35 possessions, while Jordan Lewis (36 disposals) and Jack Gunston (six goals) starred.

Blues captain Marc Murphy, playing his 200th game, and ruckman Matthew Kreuzer stood out on a horrible night.

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