Statisticians went trawling through the record books on Saturday night, after Carlton ended Brisbane's seven-game winning streak in a fashion as entertaining as it was ominous.

Josh Fraser's men played with a verve and a perceptible joy in their 24.10 (154) to 11.12 (78) thrashing of Chris Fagan's Brisbane Lions, celebrating inspirational skipper and club legend Patrick Cripps' 250th match in some sort of style.

The fabled club now sit 9-2 under Fraser's tutelage, with the grizzled former ruckman straying ever so slightly from the line he's towed throughout his time in the interim role, in offering that he will be making a decision regarding entering the process to become the full-time coach, in the coming days.

"This week I'll come to a decision," he said after the game.

"I'm really enjoying the opportunity. My aim at the start of this was to help the club move forward. I feel like during this process I'm learning so much about myself, I'm almost convinced that you're never a finished product in terms of being ready.

"I'm open-minded on how I keep getting better, I'll make a decision soon.

"I'll take a little bit of time, I'm mindful that I've said that previously, that decision is getting closer."

Avoiding the temptation to become caught up in the hoopla surrounding the club's recent rise and sudden September prospects, Fraser remains focused on the work.

Loading matchup…

"I'd love to think that the win-loss column doesn't determine anything anyway. I'd like to think it's more about process and what we're doing. Wins are great but we've got work in front of us," he said.

"I'm really grateful to have this opportunity. You do get a chance to sit in the chair and reflect a little bit. I'll be better placed at the end of this opportunity, but we've still got work to do."

Fraser's Blues tied the V/AFL record for most individual goal scorers in a match, as 16 of those in the crest put the Sherrin through the big sticks. Their final score was the highest of Cripps' 250-game career, as the side became just the seventh in the code's history, and only the second this century, to put 75+ points on the reigning premiers in both halves of a match.

154 points against is the second-most the Lions have conceded since their wooden spoon year of 2017 - Fagan's first in charge, with only the 166 managed by GWS earlier this year besting the Blues' return against the Lions in the last nine seasons.

In just his 20th game at the level, youngster Jagga Smith was awarded the Robert Walls Medal as best afield in the meeting of the two clubs, racking up 28 disposals, 12 score involvements, six clearances and two goals in a performance that adds further credence to his Rising Star claims.

Fagan would not be drawn into talks of mass changes after the harrowing loss, backing his troops to the hilt, as is his custom.

"We've had seven great weeks and tonight wasn't so good," he said.

"We've just won seven games in a row and lost one game tonight. I'm not panicking at all, this happens in footy sometimes. It's not what we wanted tonight, it's not ideal, but it's happened and we've just got to respond now."

Some changes will be necessary though, after Logan Morris (soreness), Ryan Lester (shoulder), Keidean Coleman (concussion) and Hugh McCluggage (calf) all finished the game sore.

Veterans Dayne Zorko and Darcy Gardiner are in line to return next week, solidifying a defensive unit clearly in need of the organisation the old hands can provide.

The Lions must re-group ahead of a mouthwatering clash with Hawthorn on Friday night, while the Blues will feature in a match with Wildcard implications when they face St Kilda, on Sunday night.

JOIN THE DISCUSSION