Carlton have won a finals match for the first time in a decade with a 62-point demolition of arch-rivals Essendon before a record crowd at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.
The Blues recovered from a shaky start to completely dominate their opponents in a one-sided contest that finished up 21.23 (149) to 13.9 (87).
The last time Carlton enjoyed success in September was back in 2001 when they defeated Adelaide in an elimination final.
For Essendon it is the second time in three years they have copped a hiding in the first week of the finals after the Crows belted them by 96 points in 2009.
The crowd of 90,161 - the most ever for an elimination final - didn't get what they expected with Carlton's midfield completely outclassing that of the Bombers despite a relatively quiet game from skipper Chris Judd.
Marc Murphy was outstanding with a massive 37 disposals, while Heath Scotland (27) and Andrew Carrazzo (26) also saw plenty of the ball.
In the absence of the injured Matthew Kreuzer, Robert Warnock shouldered all of the ruck duties and slaughtered Paddy Ryder and David Hille with 38 hit outs and 12 touches in what was probably his best game for the club.
Carlton had no shortage of avenues to goal with Eddie Betts (four), Bryce Gibbs (three) and Jeff Garlett (three) leading the way, while Bret Thornton (two goals and 18 marks) benefited enormously from the injury to Tayte Pears, who was subbed off at quarter-time with a hamstring injury.
The only sour note for the Blues was the injury to Gibbs, who spent most of the final quarter in the rooms with his arm in a sling after getting crunched in a heavy tackle.
Brent Stanton (25 touches and two goals) and Angus Monfries (21 and three) were the Bombers' best players, while Heath Hocking did an outstanding job on Judd when the heat was on, limiting the two-time Brownlow Medallist to just eight touches in the first half, but they had too few contributors on a hugely disappointing day the club.
The Blues exploded out of their blocks with all the early running, but couldn't make it count on the scoreboard as they booted five straight behinds.
It was Essendon's turn to dominate after that and they piled on three quick goals to skip out to an early 13-point lead.
But the quarter belonged to Carlton as they booted four late goals, including two brilliant set shots from Jeff Garlett, to lead by seven at the first change.
The Blues carried that momentum into the second term with a complete domination that effectively put the match to bed.
Carlton had 105 disposals to Essendon's 65 and booted six goals to make it 10 in a row and leave the Bombers shell-shocked.
Monfries pulled one back to make it 41 points at the long break, but by then the damage had well and truly been done.
Any chance of a Bombers comeback were immediately put to bed with the Blues nailing three of the first four goals of the second half to effectively seal the match.
With the sting well and truly out of the game, Judd got the Carlton fans cheering with a cracking goal and a huge mark as the Blues took an unassailable 62-point lead into the final term.
Essendon's day was further compounded with Dustin Fletcher copping a heavy knock to the face in the final quarter as Carlton cruised to a victory that is sure to win coach Brett Ratten a contract extension.
The Blues will travel to Perth next week for a Saturday night clash against the Eagles at Patersons Stadium.
CARLTON: 4.5, 10.12, 17.17, 21.23 (149)
ESSENDON: 3.4, 4.7, 8.9, 13.9 (87)
GOALS: Carlton: Betts 4, Garlett 3, Gibbs 3, Walker 3, Thornton 2, O'hAilpin, Robinson, Murphy, Simpson, Judd, Carrazzo
Essendon: Monfries 3, Stanton 2, Hille 2, Reimers 2, Carlisle, Colyer, Hocking, Jetta
BEST: Carlton: Murphy, Warnock, Thornton, Scotland, Yarran, Betts, Gibbs, Robinson
Essendon: Monfries, Stanton, Hocking
INJURIES: Carlton: Gibbs (AC joint)
Essendon: Pears (hamstring), Fletcher (face)
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Nil
UMPIRES: Rosebury, Stevic, Meredith
CROWD: 90,161 at the MCG