1. Carlton's courage
Carlton looked dead and buried at three quarter time. They had fought back in the third term but still trailed by 29 points at the final change. After some stern words from Mick Malthouse they exploded out of the blocks in the final quarter, slamming home four unanswered goals. The Power steadied but still the Blues came, finally hitting the lead through a superb goal from Tom Bell with just over five minutes left in the game. Carlton booted 10 of the last 14 goals to memorably and improbably secure a place in the finals.
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2. A fond farewell
It mightn't have been the result the crowd wanted, but it was certainly a fitting blockbuster for the final game at AAMI Stadium. The Port Adelaide faithful turned out in droves (45,127) on a perfect Saturday afternoon to farewell the stadium, the site of 13 Port Adelaide SANFL premierships. Each of those flags was marched around the boundary in the lead-up to the game but not before some of the club greats enjoyed a lap of honour. With the Power's highest crowd in non-Showdown contests since 2005 looking on, the current players didn't disappoint but ran out of gas in the final quarter.
3. Critical clash
In celebration of the last AFL game at AAMI Stadium the Power wore Port Adelaide's traditional black and white 'prison bar' jumper, the same strip the club wore at its first game at the venue in 1974. Someone forgot to tell Carlton because the jumper clash made for tough viewing. From behind, the two jumpers were almost identical, featuring white backs with a dark band at the bottom and it was obviously an issue for players too with several direct turnovers in close quarters.
4. Ed Curnow to the rescue
Port Adelaide vice-captain Brad Ebert was at his absolute best in the first half on Saturday. From the first bounce he was in the thick of things, collecting nine first-term disposals to finish the half with an ominous 16 touches and two goals. Enter Ed Curnow. The 23-year-old tagger held Ebert to just seven touches in the second half as his side began winning the ball out of the middle. It was a huge, match-winning job from Curnow, who picked up 19 possessions himself to turn the contest.
5. So close but no cigar
An incredible finish unfolded at AAMI as Carlton stole the lead with five minutes remaining. With less than a minute on the clock Matthew Broadbent received a handball 53 metres out and attempted to win the game. The ball looked good off his boot and he was getting ready to celebrate – but it didn't curve enough and hit the post. Heartbreak for the home side and its fans – relief for the visitors.
