AFL Media's Jennifer Phelan looks at the biggest talking points from Carlton's 21-point loss to Port Adelaide at the MCG on Saturday:

1. The comeback kids
Carlton captain Marc Murphy hadn't played since Round 9 and ex-Melbourne, now Port Adelaide player Jack Trengove since Round 19 last year when he was still a Demon. Both were slow to start but there was a lot to like about their games by the end. Murphy played off half-back and showed just why the Blues have missed him with 27 disposals, five tackles and four clearances, and in particular, a huge third quarter where he had nine touches as the Blues kept the Power scoreless. Trengove – despite giving away a shaky free kick that resulted in a Charlie Curnow goal in the first quarter – ended with 20 disposals and took eight marks playing in defence. It was terrific to see both players back on the MCG given Murphy's injury-hit season and for Trengove to kick off his second chance at an AFL career in good fashion.

2. Port pressing for a top-four finish
In a rare MCG outing – their first of two scheduled appearances this season – the Power snared their fourth win in a row that gave them a brief glimpse of life in the top four. While Collingwood could tip them out as soon as Saturday night with a win over Gold Coast, it was still evidence the Power – while not entirely convincing in their 21-point win – are well in contention to secure the all-important September double chance. They led by just two points at three-quarter time but kicked five goals to two in the fourth term and are in the box seat to notch another win next week when they host the struggling Saints. 

3. Third-quarter Power failure
Still, they didn't have it all their way. Robbie Gray lit up the MCG with two goals within a minute in the second quarter during the Power's five-goal surge that had them leading by as much as 25 points shortly before the main break. Chad Wingard was also impressing in the midfield with 15 disposals while Justin Westhoff was doing a bit of everything and doing it well. But as quickly as the Power wrestled the game onto their terms, it was snatched back when a variety of players went quiet in their scoreless third term. Gray touched the ball twice, Wingard six times and Westhoff once as the Blues had a big crack. None of them really fired after the final change, but Sam Powell-Pepper had a big seven-possession final term and Wingard as a whole had a solid day in the midfield. 

4. Celebrating Simpson
Result aside, there was a lot of love for Kade Simpson at the MCG on Saturday as the Carlton veteran celebrated his 300th game. Supporters stood and clapped at the six-minute mark of the first quarter in honour of his No.6 guernsey, they adorned 'Simmo' fan signs, and went berserk every time he touched the ball, which was often. The 34-year-old had 18 touches to his name by half-time to be the Blues' equal highest possession winner on the ground and finished with 37 as he repeatedly chopped off Port Adelaide entries and cleanly mopped up in defence. He has now cemented his name in club and competition history by joining Craig Bradley, Bruce Doull, John Nicholls and Stephen Silvagni as 300-game Blues. 

5. Is Silvagni destined to follow in the footsteps of SOS? 
The quest to find Jack Silvagni's best position continues. On Saturday, the 20-year-old was slotted in the Blues' backline after stints through the midfield and up forward in his third AFL season. It was an interesting experiment with the Power trying to take advantage of the height difference between him and opponent Todd Marshall, who measures seven centimetres taller, but it wasn't a total disaster with Silvagni showing some good signs in the new role despite hurting his right foot in the third quarter when he was tackled by Wingard. Either way, the sight of a Silvagni wearing a long-sleeved No.1 jumper in the backline would have been enough to warm the hearts of the Carlton faithful in attendance.