The Power started well and matched Carlton across most key stats.
While the Power’s defence struggled to contain the Blues’ skipper Marc Murphy, who caused the team grief with two slick goals, it was not without its own answers and looked to have better run through the middle of the ground during patches of the opening term.
Goals to a composed Alipate Carlile, Andrew Moore and Jay Schulz helped the Power bridge Carlton’s early lead to just 15 points at quarter time.
Come the second term and the Blues had answers - and numbers - all over the field.
However they didn’t convert their opportunities in front of goals and kept the Power in the game.
Port eventually broke its drought through the class of captain Travis Boak and subsequent goals to Jay Schulz, Robbie Gray and Moore propelled Port to within 14 points at the main break.
But if Port had been lucky to hold pace with the Blues, it was found out in the third term the home side exposed the Power all over the field.
With better outcomes going in their favour at contests and better use of the uncontested ball, Carlton kicked five goals to the Power's two for the term.
And despite early goals to Brad Ebert, Chad Wingard and Jarrad Redden in the fourth quarter, Port's hope of a comeback stagnated when Angus Monfries score two consecutive behinds.
And despite early goals to Brad Ebert, Chad Wingard and Jarrad Redden in the fourth quarter, Port's hope of a comeback stagnated when Angus Monfries score two consecutive behinds.
It chewed up time on the clock and his redeeming checkside late in the term was too little, too late for the fast-finishing visitors.
Senior coach Ken Hinkley said the result was disappointing, but gave credit to Carlton for bringing a high-pressure brand of football to the game.
"It was a disappointing game as far as our composure (goes)," said Hinkley.
"Carlton left us in the game a little bit at times - they missed some shots - but again our (lack of) composure showed up a little bit.
Senior coach Ken Hinkley said the result was disappointing, but gave credit to Carlton for bringing a high-pressure brand of football to the game.
"It was a disappointing game as far as our composure (goes)," said Hinkley.
"Carlton left us in the game a little bit at times - they missed some shots - but again our (lack of) composure showed up a little bit.
"We didn't handle (the pressure) the way we needed to, but we know that's a learning curve for us.
"You've always got to think about the opposition though, they (Carlton) were up and about early, they put pressure on us and set the scene a little bit.
"We were trying to recover for most of the day."
Despite the loss, Hinkley says his side is learning from playing quality opponents and will need to apply itself at training to recover from this new challenge.
"They're helping us get better, they're helping us learn," said Hinkley.
"Now we're in the middle of a challenging little patch and we've just got to keep going back to work and turning up."
Port Adelaide still sits inside the top eight after Sunday's loss with a 5-3 record.
The club's next game is against Geelong at AAMI Stadium on Saturday 25 May.
Match Summary
CARLTON 5.4 8.10 13.12 16.13 (109)
PORT ADELAIDE 3.1 7.2 9.3 14.7 (91)
GOALS
Carlton: Garlett 4, Murphy 3, Scotland 2, Robinson 2, Bell 2, Bootsma, Waite, Armfield
Port Adelaide: Moore 3, Schultz 2, Gray 2, Carlile, Boak, Westhoff, Wingard, Redden, Ebert, Monfries.
INJURIES
Carlton: Waite (TBC)
Port Adelaide: Cassisi (hamstring)
SUBSTITUTES
Carlton: Troy Menzel replaced Jarrad Waite at three-quarter-time.
Port Adelaide: Kane Mitchell replaced Paul Stewart in the third quarter.
Reports: TBC
Umpires: Farmer, Schmitt, Findlay
Official crowd: 29,936 at Etihad Stadium.
