Blues in AFL top eight, Swans in four Carlton's prospects of becoming the first AFL club in six years to play finals after a winless first three rounds are rising. The Blues entered the top eight for the first time under Mick Malthouse with Sunday's 18.13 (121) to 8.12 (60) MCG thrashing of Melbourne. Their third straight win lifted Carlton above ninth-placed Richmond on percentage. The Blues can enhance that status with a string of winnable games in the next month, starting against St Kilda next Monday night, followed by Port Adelaide in Melbourne, Brisbane and Greater Western Sydney. Key forward Jarrad Waite's impressive 10-mark two-goal comeback adds further cause for optimism, complementing in-form speedsters Eddie Betts and Jeff Garlett, who shared eight majors. Malthouse said the Blues could have been even better-placed had they taken their chances in the opening three rounds but they were heading the right way. "You'd like to think you could win every game," the three-time premiership coach said. But am I disappointed? No, because we won the last three. It's good to get on an even keel. Sydney replaced Hawthorn in the top four after Sunday's percentage-boosting 17.13 (115) to 8.7 (55) win over Brisbane at the SCG. Young key forward Sam Reid (six marks, three goals) and speedster Lewis Jetta (21 disposals, two goals) made welcome returns to form. Completing a round in which every game was won by the clear pre-match favourites, West Coast thrashed the Western Bulldogs 21.11 (137) to 10.7 (67) in Perth on Sunday. Ruck star Nic Naitanui made his much-anticipated injury return as the substitute in the third term. The Swans and Hawks meet in a grand final re-match at the MCG on Saturday night, but that will be preceded by an even more keenly-anticipated Friday night blockbuster, when unbeaten Essendon and Geelong battle for top spot. The Cats continued to impress with an emphatic 20.11 (131) to 13.9 (87) dismissal of Richmond at the MCG on Saturday night to celebrate milestones for Corey Enright (250 games) and Steve Johnson (200). The Tigers lost ruckmen Ivan Maric (ankle) and Tyrone Vickery (concussion) to injury. Essendon overcame a slow start to outclass Greater Western Sydney 17.18 (120) to 12.9 (81) at Etihad Stadium on Saturday. Bombers players face their first interviews with the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) in the lead-up to Friday night's clash. The Luke Hodge-inspired Hawks beat a determined Adelaide 13.11 (89) to 11.12 (78) at AAMI Stadium on Saturday despite star forward Lance Franklin going goal-less for a second straight round. North Melbourne handed a Port Adelaide side minus ill coach Ken Hinkley their first defeat, 14.9 (93) to 12.11 (83) in Hobart. Injury-depleted Fremantle are sixth after Saturday night's clinical 15.9 (99) to 7.12 (54) win over Gold Coast. Collingwood are seventh after fighting off a tenacious St Kilda 15.13 (103) to 11.11 (77) on Friday night. The 15th-placed Saints lost Sam Gilbert (knee) and Lenny Hayes (calf) and are expected to lose Justin Koschitzke to suspension.