Carlton's car crash of an AFL season hit new lows on Saturday as the Blues slumped to the bottom of the competition ladder.
The once-proud club head into the final three weeks of the campaign in 18th place after a 64-point hiding by fellow strugglers Brisbane at the Gabba.
Despite the defeat captain Marc Murphy and second-year player Patrick Cripps were again shining lights for the Blues.
But caretaker coach John Barker says the efforts of that pair aren't enough to lift the side from their doldrums.
"He (Cripps) needs help. Murphy needs help," Barker said.
"Those boys have been really leading the way over the last 10 weeks. They've had a lot of help, especially early days, but they just keep losing their help in terms of senior numbers and the inexperienced guys coming in either can't or won't."
The Blues kicked five quick goals to storm to a 19-point lead at quarter-time against the Lions but then went goalless for almost two quarters as the hosts booted 12 unanswered goals to build an unassailable lead.
Barker says it's clear some serious soul-searching must happen if Carlton are to return to their glory days.
"We've been making some statements and that's hurting the team but there's a point in time when you've got to stand for something and we need to going forward if you want to be a good team," he said.
"Otherwise we'll just roll along and be where we're at but things need to change."
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