Grimes out for up to two months

Carlton have elevated themselves into the top eight after a 61-point thumping of Melbourne at the MCG.

Jack Grimes lays injured on the turf after breaking his collabone against the Blues at the MCG. Source: Getty Images

DEMONS co-captain Jack Grimes will miss up to two months after breaking his collarbone in Melbourne's 61-point loss to Carlton.

The injury soured what was already a disappointing day for the Dees in front of 35,286 fans at the MCG.

Carlton coach Mick Malthouse described the game as scrappy, but said he would take a 10-goal win "every day of the week".

He also praised the performance of forward Jarrad Waite who kicked two goals in his long-awaited return from a calf injury.

Melbourne counterpart Mark Neeld said he was pleased with his side's effort, but said a lack of composure was the major difference between the two sides.

"And I think, with our effort that was mentioned earlier, right now because of that learning of the game and the composure we're not seeing scoreboard reward for effort," Neeld said."But if that effort stays that will come."

Grimes' left shoulder was driven in to the turf after a legitimate tackle by Jeff Garlett and former Dee Brock McLean midway through the first term.

He was taken to hospital soon after coming from the ground. It is the latest in a long-line of injuries for Grimes, 24 this week.

He was plagued by back, hip and groin injuries in his first three seasons while a navicular injury sidelined him for most of 2011.

"He's had a couple of injuries, Jack," Neeld said.

"But, again, that's a part of the game. He's a courageous young fella and if you put your head over it and put your nose over it these things happen."

Malthouse said Carlton had missed Waite's leadership in the forward half throughout the first five rounds.

The 30-year-old may cop some attention from the Match Review Panel today, but his head brush with opposition defender Tom McDonald is unlikely to have been with enough force to constitute a reportable offence.

"He's a player that clearly gives a bit of direction," Malthouse said.

"I reckon early we were a bit over-conscious of him and we kicked the football to him when he wasn't in the best position.

"But him not being there in the first five or six weeks meant that we were a little bit less predictable, I don't want to become overly predictable by just saying 'OK, there it is, Jarrad Waite's there'.

"But he was clearly a very good footballer for us today."

Chris Yarran suffered tightness in his right hamstring and was substituted in the fourth quarter, but Malthouse said he had no major concern about his fitness heading into next Monday's clash with St Kilda.

Melbourne is likely to have forward Chris Dawes available for his first game for the club against Gold Coast next Sunday at the MCG.

Neeld said there would be no undue internal pressure to defeat the young Suns.

"We need to ensure that the effort is there, the continued effort," Neeld said.

"We will need to work on composure with the ball. We're going to run around (against) a similar experience side that we put out there."