1. Records tumble as GIANTS dominate dismal Blues


If we needed more proof GWS is arriving as a genuine finals threat, it materialised on a record-breaking afternoon at Etihad Stadium. The Giants' 19.21 (135) hurdled their previous highest score (19.11.125 v Brisbane Lions, round 13 last year), while they smashed the Blues by 78 points to register their biggest-ever win (previously 66 points against Gold Coast in round four this season) and biggest triumph in Melbourne. Carlton broke an unwanted record of its own: the smallest crowd in three matches against the GIANTS at the venue, with just 16,676 fans turning up - almost 9,000 less than the same fixture in 2013.

2. Jezza, you beauty


Fresh off a bag of seven-straight majors in the watershed win over Hawthorn, emerging superstar Jeremy Cameron lit up Etihad Stadium with a five-goal haul. To Carlton defender Sam Rowe's credit, he outpointed Cameron by holding him to just one goal and seven touches in the first half, despite the flood of inside 50s (35-16). But the big Giant turned it on in the premiership quarter, booting three goals – including two magnificent snaps – as GWS romped to a 5-2 win-loss record.

3. Blues ring the changes, but pressure piles up on Mick


Carlton made eight changes – the late withdrawal of Patrick Cripps (tight calf) and Andrew Walker (knee) forced upon them – and brought in the likes of Chris Yarran, Andrew Carrazzo, Simon White and Troy Menzel. But if coach Mick Malthouse expected a lift he would have been bitterly disappointed with this abject display. The Blues only laid 38 tackles and were accused of playing 'bruise-free' football by former player Mark Maclure on ABC Granstand. As the damage unfolded for Carlton's sixth loss, Maclure ramped up his scathing assessment when he said: "This is over, it's done for Michael (Malthouse). He's going to find it hard to have his job for next Saturday, I can assure you".

4. Skipper fights on after early blow


Marc Murphy might have his detractors, but there's no doubting the little man's toughness. Late in the first term the Carlton captain copped some friendly fire from Andrew Carrazzo's swinging arm, fell to the ground and then was clipped in the head by Shane Mumford's boot. Murphy had to come from the ground with a blood nose, but courageously returned and fought on to collect 24 touches in a hard-working, albeit fruitless, performance.

5. Are the GIANTS the AFL's quickest team?


If not, then they would have to be in the conversation. The GIANTS' pace spreading from the contest was simply electric, with their exciting midfield led by Dylan Shiel, Adam Treloar, Stephen Coniglio et al. making Carlton's players look like they were wearing concrete boots. Every time the GIANTS got the ball at half-back, they put the foot to the floor and rocketed into space. It was stark contrast to where the Blues are at, with their uncertain ball movement, chipping around defensive 50 and lack of a focal point all contributing to a staggeringly lop-sided inside 50 count (72-38) and ugly scoreline.