THE return of Chris Judd to the West also heralded the end of an eight-year drought for Carlton at Subiaco, as the Blues held on to last night defeat West Coast by 37 points.

While Judd, the former premiership captain and Brownlow medallist at West Coast, was entangled in a feisty duel with former teammate Adam Selwood, the Blues overcame a case of second-half staggers to make certain of victory.

Star full-forward Brendan Fevola may find himself under scrutiny by the match review panel for a blow to Selwood's midriff that left the Eagle tagger prone.

But the win was by no means a fait accompli midway through the final term, with the Blues having retreated into an ultra-defensive shell as they tried to close down play after their lead reached 53 points early in the second half.

Yet the Eagles ignited, and with 12 minutes left in the match, had charged back to within seven points, Carlton shocked into stagnation.

But the Blues rallied, finally unlocking the shackles again to find their feet and run, Kade Simpson storming inside 50 to kick a goal.

And when Judd bobbed up with a clever handball to the lurking Bryce Gibbs in the goal square for another major, Carlton's rhythm had picked up pace, with additional goals from vice-captain Nick Stevens and speedster Eddie Betts blowing out the margin. It was Carlton's first win in Perth since round 12, 2000.

After an untidy first term when skills from both teams were substandard, Carlton took control of the midfield in the second quarter, feeding its forwards with enough chances to kick eight goals.

By half-time, West Coast was officially a rabble. Apart from the efforts of Dean Cox, Andrew Embley, David Wirrpanda, Josh Kennedy and Quinten Lynch, West Coast had too many players willing to sit back and study Carlton's work.

Lynch blotted his performance in the second term when he missed a sitter from 20 metres in front of goals. And, as is often the case, when the ball was carted up to the other end, Cameron Cloke goaled after a strong pack mark.

Lynch mucked up the chance for West Coast to take the lead, while Cloke's goal sparked an avalanche that produced an eight-goal haul to West Coast's paltry three points.

When the play got heated, invariably West Coast got burnt.

The Eagles coughed up four 50-metre penalties, and gave up goals through blunders.

Fevola kicked three for the term, while Simon Wiggins, Simpson and David Ellard, in his debut, joined in the fun.

Despite missing Daniel Kerr, Adam Hunter, Matt Priddis, Shannon Hurn and Ashley Hansen, West Coast offered little resistance when the game was in dispute.

By the big break, Carlton had stampeded to an eight-goal break. And when Betts squeezed through a pack early in the third term, the lead had edged out to nearly nine goals.