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The Blues' 18.24 (132) to 9.12 (66) victory was only its third over the Power from their last 12 meetings, but importantly its second in eight weeks, having all but ended the Power's season with a two-goal victory in round 11.
The win is the Blues' ninth for the year, and put them on equal points with the previously eighth-placed Brisbane in the wake of the Lions' loss to Hawthorn.
Inspired by 30 damaging possessions to Bryce Gibbs, the work of Heath Scotland, Marc Murphy, Andrew Carazzo and Nick Stevens, the Blues controlled the game from the outset, and if not for inaccuracy could have ended the contest by quarter time.
As it was, the game was effectively over seven minutes into the second term when Brad Fisher snapped truly from the top of the square to put his side 36 points clear.
Despite having more than 80 minutes to play, it was nigh on impossible to see Port coming back given its lack of intensity and inexperience across the board.
Former Collingwood captain Nathan Buckley described Port Adelaide's first half – which netted a paltry 2.5 – as "the worst performance I've seen from a Port Adelaide side".
While key Port playmakers Daniel Motlop and Peter Burgoyne vented their frustrations, the Blues set about doing what it took to win.
Andrew Walker, in his fourth game back from injury, got the ball rolling with two first term goals and ended with three, while the improving Shaun Grigg, Murphy, Stevens and Gibbs were everywhere through the midfield.
Skipper Chris Judd battled away to gather 24 hard-fought touches despite attention from the close-checking Kane Cornes.
His highlight came at the 25-minute mark of the final term when he grabbed a loose ball and drilled his only goal of the day – the fist-pump said it all.
Down back Bret Thornton did a fine job quelling the dangerous Brett Ebert, while Michael Jamison, Andrew Carrazzo and Jarrad Waite repelled everything that came their way.
Surprisingly, star forward Brendan Fevola took until the 14-minute mark of the second term to register his first goal.
He ended with four, two of which came in the final term, and it was one of the few Carlton wins in which the spearhead had to take a back seat.
It mattered little as teammates stepped up all over the ground.
Despite some well-chosen words by Cornes as his troops, trailing by 47 points, trudged off at half time, Port showed little fight after the main break despite Motlop kicking the first goal of the third term.
Only Carlton's inaccuracy kept the margin to 56 points at the final change.
In the final term it found range, booting six goals to three to bury Port and gain some much needed percentage in its battle for eighth place.
Shaun Burgoyne, Cornes and Dean Brogan tried hard for Port Adelaide, while young full back Alipate Carlisle did well on Fevola despite conceding four goals.
But, in the end there was too much left to too few. The fact Port's leading goalkicker, Damon White with three, spent the first half in defence told the tale of their day.
Season's end cannot come fast enough for a side that played off for last year's premiership.
In stark contrast the Blues will be up and about for what shapes as its defining moment of 2008 against North Melbourne next week.
CARLTON 4.7 8.16 12.22 18.24 (132)
PORT ADELAIDE 1.4 2.5 5.8 9.12 (66)
GOALS
Carlton: Fevola 4, Walker 3, Fisher 2, Kreuzer 2, Cloke, Gibbs, Grigg, Judd, Simpson, Stevens . Port Adelaide: White 3, Motlop 2, Brogan, K.Cornes, Salter, J.Westhoff
BEST
Carlton: Waite, Judd, Gibbs, Grigg, Murphy, Carrazzo, Walker. Port Adelaide: Brogan, K.Cornes, White, P.Burgoyne
INJURIES
Carlton: Betts (hamstring tightness) replaced in selected side by Hampson. Port Adelaide: Boak replaced in selected side by Williams
REPORTS
Nil.
Umpires: K.Nicholls, McInerney, Mollison
Official crowd: 29,696 at Telstra Dome
