Port Adelaide have set up a crack at a top-two finish, ruining Carlton great Marc Murphy’s 300-game AFL milestone with a 95-point drubbing.
The Power, after trailing by 23 points in the second quarter, prevailed 21.14 (140) to 5.15 (45) Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
Port jump from fourth to second spot and can seal a top-two finish by beating the fourth-placed Western Bulldogs next round.
But Carlton’s frightful fade-out could be a coach killer for David Teague: they scored just seven behinds from midway through the second term.
Carlton’s ex-captain Murphy entered retirement, chaired off by teammates and with players from both clubs forming a guard of honour.
Murphy and his teammates landed early blows: five-gamer Josh Honey’s two majors in two minutes put the Blues 23 points up 14 minutes into the second term.
Carlton didn’t score another goal.
The finals-bound Power reacted savagely to the second-term danger, booting six unanswered goals to take a 15-point advantage into halftime.
Port stretched their consecutive streak of goals to 19 after the break en route to a 16th win of the season.
Former skipper Travis Boak, in his 303rd AFL match, was outstanding with 31 disposals and a goal while winger Karl Amon and Ollie Wines collected 30 touches apiece.
Port’s attack boasted numerous threats, headed by Todd Marshall (two goals) and Charlie Dixon (four goals).
Orazio Fantasia booted three majors, Robbie Gray, Miles Bergman and Mitch Georgiades slotted two each and another half-dozen Power players kicked goals.
Carlton’s prime mover Sam Walsh extended his fine season with 30 possessions while Matt Kennedy (28 touches, one goal) was prominent.
The 34-year-old Murphy, only the sixth player to reach the 300-game mark for Carlton, farewelled AFL ranks with 24 disposals.
The Blues held sway by four points, 2.6 to 2.2, at quarter-time after catching the Power napping – the visitors had 31 more disposals for the term.
And after Honey’s rapid two strikes in the second stanza, Carlton’s 23-point lead silenced the home crowd.
But the Blues scored just seven more behinds for the rest of the match with Port amassing 19.11 in that period.
C
Guest
If the club is smart it will keep David Cunningham, who was excellent before he was injured, as was Zac Fisher (who had some trouble regaining his form after his return but it will come Petrevski Seton and Paddy Dow both need help but have shown talent and promise. If we can fix whatever it is that undermines confidence and toughness in younger players (conditioning? coaching? culture? No idea but hope Carlton can hire someone who does) they will repay the club. Goodness only knows re O'Brien and Stocker - don't think either of them have shown much, but then nor has the team. Stay? Go? Unsure... Carlton has become a graveyard for talented younger players, and that's on the club, not on the kids. Even Cripps is suffering. At present only the truly brilliant (Walsh), the physically gifted (McKay and maybe Curnow if we can keep him on the park) and those who work REALLY REALLY hard (Silvagni) are showing anything much. Something's definitely wrong at Carlton and it's NOT the list. Not blaming Teague either - culture has been bad through four coaches now... I just hope someone with more footy smarts and on a bigger salary than me can figure out what to do., without shafting too many under 25s who need guidance and help - not blame. My only specific insight is we need a second big bodied ruckman, in case Pittonet is injured again - at least until de Konning hits his mid 20s and fills out. Playing SoSOS in the ruck is a waste of his abilities and just plain stupid.
Maxy
Roar Rookie
Yeah,by all reports Williams was a bit of a control freak at Port,had a say in everything,thought he might be more chilled out these days and open to a back seat role.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I believe hub they flirted with the idea of bringing his old coach Mark Williams in as a mentor but I think they find him too much of a loose cannon. I think Graeme Wright will work closely with him.
Maxy
Roar Rookie
Good stuff,I wonder if they will appoint an experienced side kick for him also
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Been delayed by Covid I believe. My mail is Harvey going to West Coast and Adam Kingsley will be appointed Pies coach and announced Monday week.
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Its amazing how much difference those boys make, ever time butters gets it you just expect something to happen. Hes so awesome.lol.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Duursma and Butters help so much, Ollie is on fire as well as Amon, we've got the cattle now, fingers crossed we stay healthy
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Lmao. :laughing:
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Might drive by Whitten oval & dump some cow manure out front
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
shhhhhhh Chuck will hear you and use his voodoo on us.lol.
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Its amazing what we can do when we move the ball fast and don't f around with it.lol.
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Lmao Maybe a few 44gallon drums from a certain bank could be in order.lol.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
*mids, not kids
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Yeah, I'm more banking on Essendon choking than GC playing well
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
We lost our way a bit there, became a bit easy to come out of the back half against, what I did like is that we were trying to get it out of the backline quickly
Parklane7835
Roar Rookie
What do you think Carlton will do with Sam Petrevski--Seton,David Cunningham,Zac Fisher,Lachie O'Brien,Liam Stocker,Paddy Dow,Matthew Cottrell and Tom Williamson,will they all be Put up for Trade at the end of this Season?
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Our confidence is shot man we are digging a 6foot hole & port will carry a bag of lime & a shovel to get rid of the evidence!
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Just our starts are a worrie, if we give you guys that sort of start again we'll get ya confidence up again.lol.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Don’t fall into my trap of looking for gaps in the best outcome you are doomed with anguish & regret when your team lose chin up & enjoy the ride & don’t be a scathing as my bottomless pit of crap mediocrity of a team l follow, all the best :thumbup:
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
dam good luck man, gc is against essendon arent they, freo defs a chance but not sure about the suns. But you never know if ya never try.lol.