Sydney have soared two wins clear on top of the AFL ladder but were left with several concerns after crushing Carlton by 52 points at a heaving SCG.
The Blues exploded out of the blocks on Friday night to lead 27-1 midway through the opening term.
But it was all pain from that point on as Sydney piled on 14 of the next 16 goals to soar to the 17.15 (117) to 9.11 (65) victory.
The third quarter was particularly brutal as Sydney dominated the centre clearances 7-1 on the way to posting seven goals to two.
The result lifted Sydney two wins clear of second-placed Geelong, and marks the first time since 1945 the club has won nine of its first 10 matches.
Even if third-placed Essendon beat North Melbourne as expected on Sunday, the Swans will still be one and a half wins clear on top.
But the Swans were left with several concerns.
Star midfielder Isaac Heeney, who kicked three goals from 24 disposals in another hot display, was left hobbling after injuring his ankle late in the match.
Robbie Fox was subbed out in the third term after appearing to dislocate his right shoulder when he was bowled over by a sliding Jordan Boyd.
And the Swans will also be sweating on what the match review officer makes of Chad Warner's high fend-off that struck Carlton ruckman Marc Pittonet flush in the face with a forearm/elbow.
Warner was a standout with three goals and 28 disposals.
Nic Newman racked up 32 disposals for Carlton, but Sam Walsh (20 possessions) struggled for influence after being tagged by James Jordon.
Star Blues defender Jacob Weitering was subbed out at halftime after struggling through a corked quad he suffered in the opening term.
The result marks a big wake-up call for injury-hit Carlton (6-4), who were clearly out of their depth for the bulk of the match against Sydney.
The sold-out crowd of 44,047 was the equal third biggest home-and-away crowd at the SCG.
Carlton kicked the first four goals of the match despite Harry McKay missing a 20m set shot from straight in front.
Charlie Curnow's early goal means he has kicked a goal in 57 consecutive matches, breaking the previous Carlton record of 56 held by Harry Vallence.
The Blues' hot start quickly evaporated as Heeney and Warner got to work, reducing the deficit to nine points by quarter-time.
Carlton recorded just five tackles in the first quarter compared with Sydney's 23, highlighting the difference in hunger between the two sides.
Sydney kicked four goals to nil in a dominant second term, with Curnow sent back late in the half to help stem the bleeding.
Sydney tagger Jordon wore gun Carlton midfielder Walsh like a glove in the opening half, and the move proved to be a masterstroke.
Walsh tallied just 10 disposals in the first half -- most of them rushed -- as Sydney entered the long break with a 14-point lead.
Curnow kicked the opening goal of the third quarter to reduce the margin to nine points.
But Sydney promptly shut the door on any Carlton comeback, producing a centre-square masterclass to kick the next seven goals and extend the lead to 52 points.
Warner and Heeney both feasted with two goals apiece during the third-quarter blitz.