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CARLTON has cemented its spot in the finals, and dealt another blow to Port Adelaide’s September hopes, with a 54-point victory at AAMI Stadium on Sunday.
A late charge in the third quarter by the Power gave Carlton a challenge but they responded with nine last quarter goals in their 18.13 (121) to 9.13 (67) victory.
After a moderate first quarter, the Blues carried on their good form from last week, when they beat second-placed Geelong.
Carlton controlled the second quarter, but allowed the Power back into the game in the third, before steaming home in the fourth.
Brendan Fevola was at his brilliant best for the Blues, kicking six majors. Marc Murphy was excellent, kicking three and picking up 33 possessions, while Bryce Gibbs kicked two goals and got 32 touches.
For the Power, Warren Tredrea and Robbie Gray booted two goals each, while Dean Brogan also had two goals and 28 hitouts.
A slow start by the Blues saw Port Adelaide kick the first two goals of the game, before a Fevola mark on the top of the goal square resulted in a goal. However, the Power had the better of the quarter and were ahead by eight points at quarter time.
With an obvious increase in intensity and work rate in the second quarter, the Blues kicked three consecutive goals, including an impressive mark and goal from Murphy.
Although Port Adelaide was dominating in the ruck and in clearances, Carlton was still able to penetrate when heading forward.
Gibbs added Carlton’s seventh goal with a brilliant kick off one step from 55 metres out, and Fevola contributed another to give the Blues a 25-point buffer at half time.
Port Adelaide came out of the half time break strongly, preventing Carlton’s attack for much of the third quarter.
Kade Simpson picked up an excellent goal assist when he landed the ball on Fevola in the goal square, who kicked his third.
But the term belonged to Port Adelaide who booted four goals to one.
Fevola opened the fourth quarter with a goal, which was quickly followed up by a brilliant kick from the boundary by Andrew Carrazzo, giving the Blues an 18-point cushion.
It led to a Carlton rampage in the last quarter as they took total control of the match with multiple goals to Fevola and others to Mitch Robinson, Murphy, Nick Stevens and Eddie Betts.
Next week, the Blues take on the Demons in Melbourne.
Port Adelaide 3.6 4.7 8.10 9.13 (67)
Carlton 2.4 8.8 9.11 18.13 (121)
GOALS
Port Adelaide: Tredrea, Gray, Brogan 2, Westhoff, Thomas, Lade
Carlton: Fevola 6, Murphy 3, Gibbs, Betts 2, Judd, Walker, Carrazzo, Robinson, Stevens
BEST
Port Adelaide: Boak, S Burgoyne, K Cornes, Thomas, Gray, Tredrea
Carlton: Murphy, Gibbs, Fevola, Walker, Houlihan, Scotland, Armfield
INJURIES
Port Adelaide: Carr (ankle), Surjan replaced in selected side by Stewart.
Carlton: Hampson replaced in selected side by Cloke.
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Kennedy, McLaren, Kamolins
Official crowd: 27, 221 at AAMI Stadium
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
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