Port Adelaide has reminded the competition that it is still a force to be reckoned with, dispatching Carlton by 30 points at Optus Oval.
After scores were level at half-time, the Power blitzed the Blues in the third quarter, booting eight goals to two, running out winners 17.12 (114) to 12.12 (84).
Despite missing their three premium players – Matthew Primus, Warren Tredrea and Josh Francou – plus several others from their best side due to injury, Port Adelaide treated the crowd to a terrific display of running football after half-time.
Nick Stevens was outstanding all day in the midfield for the Power, covering many kilometres in amassing 36 possessions for the afternoon. He was as clear a best on ground that one would ever see.
Former captain Gavin Wanganeen was another great contributor, providing excellent drive off the half-back line. He was one of the main reasons why Port Adelaide took control of the game in the third quarter, setting off for numerous runs down the ground.
Wanganeen kicked the goal of the day 12 minutes into the third quarter, when he received the ball from Stevens at half-back, dished it off and kept running, to then receive the ball again on his attacking 50, from where he slotted it home.
Goals to Shaun Burgoyne, Brendon Lade and Peter Burgoyne followed, as the Power shot out to a 32-point lead.
Brendan Fevola - who presented himself as a target all day, but was inaccurate with 2.4 - booted Carlton’s first major for the term at the 21 minute mark, but Wanganeen set up an immediate reply for Peter Burgoyne, with a two-bounce dash down the ground.
Carlton offered little resistance in the second half – in stark contrast to their first, which was very encouraging.
It was a terrific early struggle, with nothing separating the sides at the long break – both level on 6.6 (42).
The Port Adelaide backline was under enormous pressure, as Carlton continued to deliver the ball long and direct into its forward 50.
Adrian Hickmott finished the work in attack with two first quarter goals, but full-forward Fevola was wasteful with some costly misses.
The Power, by contrast, had to work much harder for their early goals. Shaun Burgoyne provided a handful for Luke Livingston, booting two majors in the opening quarter, but older brother Peter was inaccurate with three second term behinds.
Matthew Lappin was solid across wing and half-back in the first half, but like many of his teammates, faded in the second.
The recruitment of veteran defender Mick Martyn proved to be an early fizzer for the Blues. The 34 year-old turned the ball over on several occasions and spent significant periods on the bench, in his first game for the club since crossing from the Kangaroos.
And star playmaker Anthony Koutoufides had little impact on the match, particularly after corking his thigh late in the second quarter.
The Blues face coach Denis Pagan’s former side, the Kangaroos, at Telstra Dome next Saturday night, while Port Adelaide looks primed for its showdown with Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on the same evening.
Carlton: 5.2, 6.6, 8.7, 12.12 (84)
Port Adelaide: 4.1, 6.6, 14.10, 17.12 (114)
Goals: Carlton: Fevola 2, Hickmott 2, Camporeale 1, Davies 1, Houlihan 1, Koutoufides 1, Fisher 1, Sporn 1, Waite 1, Whitnall 1.
Port Adelaide: P. Burgoyne 3, S. Burgoyne 3, K. Cornes 2, C. Cornes 1, Guerra 1, James 1, Lade 1, Montgomery 1, Pickett 1, Schofield 1, Stevens 1, Wanganeen 1.
Best: Carlton: Lappin, Beaumont, Camporeale, Hickmott
Port Adelaide: Stevens, Wanganeen, P. Burgoyne, S. Burgoyne, Montgomery, Brogan, Carr.
Injuries: Carlton: Koutoufides (thigh)
Port Adelaide: None
Reports: None
Late changes: M. Allan (Carl) replaced C. McKernan in selected side
Umpires: A. Coates, M. Nicholls, J. Schmitt
Crowd: 22,507 at Optus Oval.
