Carlton has flipped the script with a surprise win over St Kilda on Friday night which rendered the Saints' finals chances all but over and resuscitated their own.

The Blues comfortably accounted for the Saints at a crowd-less Marvel Stadium, winning by 31 points.

The 18.4 (112) to 12.9 (81) win lifted the Blues into 10th position and saw them join the Saints on eight wins, although further dented St Kilda's percentage. 

Max King, who booted four goals after six last round, and Jack Steele (36 disposals and 13 tackles) were among few winners for the Saints.

St Kilda's three first-quarter goals came via King, who was causing headaches for Carlton defender Jacob Weitering. But the Blues had more avenues to goal, with McKay chipping in for two and their spread helping them to a 12-point lead at the opening change.

By the main break the Blues had jumped to a 28-point lead and it was on the back of a defensive lift that clearly was a focus for Teague's side.

St Kilda had enough of the ball through the midfield but couldn't capitalise on Rowan Marshall's ruck dominance and were turned around by a vibrant Blues outfit. 

Any hopes of a second-half comeback were quickly extinguished as McKay booted his fifth early in the third term, with St Kilda also losing Dougal Howard to a hamstring injury. Blues had the game wrapped up minutes into the second half. 

ST KILDA              3.1     5.3         7.7      12.9 (81)
CARLTON            5.1      10.1      15.2     18.4 (112)

GOALS
St Kilda: King 4, Membrey 3, Sharman 2, Higgins, Jones, Marshall
Carlton: McKay 5, Walsh 3, Honey 2, Williamson 2, Cripps, Curnow, Dow, Kennedy, Silvagni

BEST
St Kilda: Steele, King, Jones, Dunstan, Marshall
Carlton: Walsh, McKay, Silvagni, Dow, Kennedy, Cripps  

INJURIES
St Kilda: Ryder (Achilles) replaced in selected side by Hunter, Howard (hamstring)
Carlton: De Koning (pectoral)

SUBSTITUTES
St Kilda: Sharman (replaced Howard in the third quarter)
Carlton: Murphy (replaced De Koning in the third quarter)