CARLTON has advanced to the second round of the NAB Cup with a hard-fought 15 point win over Port Adelaide in baking conditions at AAMI Stadium in Adelaide.
The Blues unveiled number one draft pick Matthew Kreuzer – who was lightly used but duly notched a goal with his first kick in the AFL – and four other debutants in the 1.13.13 (100) to 0.12.13 (85) win.
A five-goal burst at the start of the third quarter set up the Blues’ win over an under-strength Power, who were resting a cast of key players, including the Cornes brothers, the Burgoyne brothers and Brendon Lade.
Bret Thornton, Shaun Hampson and Brendan Fevola led the goalkicking for the Blues with two each, while 2007 best-and-fairest Andrew Carrazzo showed he’s in for another big year with 24 possessions in a hard-working midfield performance, and Jarrad Waite starred at centre half-back.
Just 9,133 people turned out to watch Kreuzer’s much-anticipated debut, but it was the 201cm Hampson in just his third match who would have generated more excitement for Blues fans, rucking well and sealing the game with a 45m goal late in the last quarter.
The four other debutants also gave good signs for Carlton.
Dennis Armfield, 21, from Swan Districts, had a fine first half on a wing, while Jake Edwards, 20, impressed with his presentation in the forward line, including a very strong mark and goal early in the last quarter to stymie any Port comeback.
Ex-Adelaide listed defender Darren Pfeiffer, 20, had 18 possessions in his first showing in the Navy Blue, while rookie listed 18-year-old David Ellard looked nippy.
The match also marked comeback games for Cameron Cloke and Nick Stevens.
Stevens was well held by Port youngster Matt Thomas, who himself is coming back from serious injury, while Cloke had an important impact early in the third quarter and will be better for the game time.
Earlier, a blitzing start from Port in 35-degree heat saw them speed to a 22-point lead after the opening seven minutes.
It wasn’t until a supergoal from Ryan Jackson, generated by some good work from Armfield, that the Blues even had a sniff. They fought back gamely, however, and eventually dominated the second half of the quarter, with unanswered goals to Jordan Russell, Fevola and Bryce Gibbs seeing the Blues lead by 11 points at quarter time.
The second term saw Port fly out of the blocks again, with goals to Dean Brogan and Danyle Pearce putting the home side back in front. The Blues answered through Kreuzer and Hampson to retake the lead, and a see-saw battle ensued, with the Power having the better of it to take a narrow seven-point lead into half time.
After the long break the Blues took control, with goals to Thornton (two), Pfeiffer, Cloke and Fevola in the first 15 minutes taking the visitors out to a 22-point lead.
The match also saw Port became the first club to run foul of the new experimental interchange restrictions. Just before quarter time the Power spun the dice on the limitations, using their 16th change with three minutes to go. Then when Greg Bentley copped a head knock and left the field they had to play a man short for the last two minutes of the term.
Carlton will now play the winner of tomorrow’s Sydney-Hawthorn game at Telstra Dome next Saturday.
Carlton 1.3.7 1.5.9 1.10.11 1.13.13 (100)
Port Adelaide 0.3.5 0.8.7 0.8.11 0.12.13 (85)
GOALS
Carlton: Nine-point goals: Jackson. Goals: Fevola 2, Thornton 2, Hampson 2, Edwards, Pfeiffer, Cloke, Kreuzer, Gibbs, Russell, Murphy
Port Adelaide: Nine-point goals: Nil. Goals: Salopek 3, Tredrea 2, Cockshell 2, Logan, Pearce, Brogan, Cassisi, Thomas
BEST
Carlton: Pfeiffer, Houlihan, Fevola, Waite, Hampson, Scotland
Port Adelaide: Salopek, Brogan, Thomas, Cassisi
INJURIES
Carlton: Fisher (dislocated finger)
Port Adelaide: Chaplin (broken hand), Surjan (rolled ankle)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: S McLaren, S Jeffrey, C Bowen, S Hay
Official crowd: 9,133 at AAMI Stadium
