Carlton's promising future shone through the MCG gloom on Saturday to snatch the spotlight from arch-rival Collingwood's 125th birthday celebrations. 

Tales of the Pies' rich history have been told all week, giddily coming off the back of what hinted at being a season-turning victory over Geelong a week ago.

Instead it was the Blues who reigned supreme, posting a 12.7 (79) to 8.8 (56) triumph in front of a pro-Collingwood crowd of 70,279 that welcomed them with boos pre-match.

Carlton banked back-to-back wins for the first time since rounds 10 and 11 last year, adding to the win over Sydney, and put a smile on second-year coach Brendon Bolton's face. 

Former Magpie favourite Dale Thomas, recalled for the date with his old side, rubbed salt into the wounds when he capped a multiple-bounce dash with a close-range goal.

That sent Carlton 30 points clear inside the first five minutes of the fourth term to snuff out any hope of a Collingwood ambush.

Alex Fasolo and Jamie Elliott (three goals) had chances within minutes of one another to bring the Pies within range, but each misfired to continue the season-long goalkicking nightmare. 

Last year's No.6 draft pick, Sam Petrevski-Seton, was outstanding from the outset, gathering 14 of his 22 disposals and kicking two of the Blues' goals in an electric opening half. 

The West Australian could easily deliver Carlton consecutive NAB AFL Rising Star nominations, after Caleb Marchbank got the nod last week.

There is more where that comes from at the Blues, with 2015 top pick Jacob Weitering, Charlie Curnow, Nick Graham and Lachie Plowman also showing impressive glimpses.

Usual suspects Marc Murphy, Patrick Cripps, Bryce Gibbs, Sam Docherty and Kade Simpson are accustomed to toiling away in a futile cause, but must be buoyed at what they are seeing.

Carlton stood up to a brief Collingwood challenge early in the second term – the margin sliced to just one point – before shooting three-goals clear at half-time.

But the Blues truly skipped away in a high-octane third quarter, benefiting from their greater efficiency going forward.

Gibbs shot Carlton a match-high 36 point lead when he rode a bump, found an opening and finished wonderfully on the run before saluting the Blues' faithful. 

COLLINGWOOD      1.3    3.5    7.6     8.8 (56)
CARLTON                3.4    6.5    11.5   12.7 (79) 

GOALS
Collingwood: Elliott 3, De Goey 2, Fasolo, Cox, Moore
Carlton: Petresvki-Seton 2, Wright 2, Casboult 2, Simpson, Weitering, Graham, C.Curnow, Gibbs, Thomas 

BEST 
Collingwood: Reid, Elliott, Adams, Pendlebury
Carlton: Petresvki-Seton, Kreuzer, Cripps, Murphy, Marchbank, Simpson, E.Curnow

INJURIES 
Collingwood: Daniel Wells was a late withdrawal due to soreness and replaced in the selected side by Tim Broomhead. Mason Cox (ankle)
Carlton: Nil

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Foot, Findlay, McInerney

Official crowd: 70,279 at the MCG