The Blues made their move early in the second term, kicking three goals through the opening 15 minutes to take their first lead.
Debutant Jaylon Thorpe was thrown to half-back in the absence of defensive mainstays Damian Mascitti and Stu Horner, and immediately struck up a fine tandem with Hugh Beasley.
The combative and competitive Beasley would pull in a team-high eight marks on the day and throw himself into every contest as if the game was on the line, but the Blues’ threat persisted.
Carlton’s run was halted by a superb spot up from Fergus Greene, whose scything right boot found Seamus Mitchell deep in attack for the youngsters first of the day and his side’s third.
But the visitors closed the term as they started it – on the front foot – and took a 17-point advantage to the long break.
The teams traded goals once play resumed, with Serong’s long range effort after seven minutes cancelled out by Carlton shortly thereafter.
Jeka got one back from a free kick deep in forward 50, before Greene’s second brought the Hawks to within a kick nearing time on.
Runner-up in the Hawks’ Col Austen Trophy count in 2021, Jeka doubled up three minutes later to give his side their first lead since early in the second quarter and set up a grandstand finish.
A point in it with one to play, the first goal of the final term shaped as a small-if-crucial win for the team who could get it.
Sadly, it was the team in navy blue who struck first, dealing a quick one-two punch to take a two goal lead through 10 minutes.
The Blues kicked away in what remained of the last to secure a 46-point win.
James Parsons contributed well in defeat, knocking up a team-high eight clearances and eight inside 50s, while Ned Long continued his impressive early season form with 19 disposals, 11 tackles and four inside 50s.
Jai Serong, too, was a fine contributor on the day, booting a goal and driving his side inside 50 on seven occasions from 15 disposals.
Goals: Greene 3, Jeka 2, Mitchell, Callow, Serong