DESPITE a fast start from the Blues, they failed to kick a goal in the second half and let Port Adelaide kick 19 unanswered majors. 

Sam Walsh had 30 disposals while Matt Kennedy and Zac Fisher also played well. 

Quarter one: 

It was a hot start for the milestone man, with Marc Murphy gathering the ball in the contest early. Sam Walsh was influential in moving the ball out of Port’s forward half while Liam Stocker and Nic Newman battled it out in defence. Mitch McGovern made the most of his return, kicking the first goal for the Blues while Charlie Curnow was heavily involved in score assists. Carlton’s pressure was very high, causing some turnovers and poor decision making from Port Adelaide. Aliir Aliir was troublesome in the Blues’ forward line, taking intercept marks to stop shots on goal, however Jacob Weitering played a similarly impressive role down the other end. Matt Kennedy had four tackles in the first quarter alone, leading the way in terms of pressure and physicality for the Blues. The debutants found their feet in the opening quarter, with Brodie Kemp mounting back-half pressure while Corey Durdin’s speed in the forward 50 was critical. 

Quarter two:

The first five minutes of the quarter were uneventful, with the two sides moving the ball from end to end without scoreboard impact. Levi Casboult got the ball rolling with a set-shot goal followed quickly by a goal from Josh Honey. Zac Fisher and Walsh were impactful and classy around the centre contests while Tom Williamson provided consistent marking in the defensive half. Kennedy took charge of the clearances in the absence of Patrick Cripps while a trick shot from Honey put the Blues in a healthy position, making it multiple goals in all three of his games this season. Weitering’s impact in the backline was undeniable while Adam Saad was kept busy as Port Adelaide surged forward out of the middle. The Power started to get on the front foot, moving the ball cleanly and quickly into their forward half. Port dominated the time inside 50 at the backend of the quarter, kicking six unanswered goals and ramping up the physical pressure around the contest. 

Quarter three: 

It wasn’t the start Carlton were after, as Connor Rozee slotted the first goal of the term. Paddy Dow lifted for the Blues, clearing the ball from the centre bounce and bombing it long down the line. Port’s pressure around ball ups saw them take the ball cleanly and efficiently forward, providing quality scoring opportunities. Port Adelaide’s forward chains were getting impossible to defend, with open players and accurate kicking aplenty. When Carlton did manage to get the ball down their end, their inaccuracy in front of goal and entering the forward 50 was costly. Stocker managed five intercept possessions for the quarter as the ball lived in the Power’s half. 

Quarter four: 

Saad was battling for the Blues in the defensive half, using his chase and pinpoint kicking to try and draw the ball forward. While there were more chances for Carlton in the forward 50, more misses in front of goal saw Port Adelaide’s goal streak continued to be unbroken. Tom De Koning wrestled in the ruck, as well as using some aerial prowess around the field, as the Power continued to have their way with the ball. Port Adelaide piled on the goals, with Charlie Dixon joining the party late and the Power finishing with 19 unanswered goals.