A LOOK at the five main talking points from Port Adelaide's 44-point win over the Western Bulldogs at Mars Stadium in Ballarat on Sunday afternoon.

Port Adelaide likes Ballarat. The Power can boast the claim that it is the only side to maintain an unbeaten record at Mars Stadium, having played twice there for two wins. Yesterday’s 44-point result over the Western Bulldogs was more convincing than the 17-point win there against the Dogs last season, especially given the freezing cold, wet and windy conditions.

Port’s new faces can play. 19-year-old Kane Farrell got his chance to make his AFL debut in Ballarat against the Bulldogs and he showed glimpses that he will be a good player for years to come. Farrell had ten disposals, two marks and three tackles playing at half forward and managed a goal, narrowly missing another long-range effort to add to his tally late on. Second-gamer Jarrod Lienert continued to look composed in defence and had 17 disposals, five marks and five inside 50s.

For the second-straight week Port Adelaide lost the clearances, yet it has retained its title as the best clearance side in the competition, and even extended its advantage at the top. The Power had seven fewer clearances than the Western Bulldogs in Ballarat despite winning the hit-outs 47-43 in Paddy Ryder’s return from injury. The Power is averaging 40.7 clearances per match and has a total of 732 clearances this season, 11 more than Greater Western Sydney who is next best. Jared Polec and Chad Wingard had six each against the Dogs while Ollie Wines is the Power’s best with 110 for the season, ranking him ninth in the competition.

Port Adelaide can defend. The Power now holds the title of having the stingiest defence in the competition, after conceding just 34 points against the Dogs. That total was the lowest it has conceded all season, and the fifth time this year that the Power has kept a side to 60 points or less. Richmond is the only other side to have conceded less than 1300 points (1273)

Charlie Dixon is set for a strong finish to the season. The 27-year-old booted five goals against the Dogs from five marks and 14 disposals. He showed clean hands in trying conditions and showed a want to compete, even having two tackles and four one-percenters. Dixon had three goals against GWS last week, and four against St Kilda in Round 16, and after a slow start to the season has finally found his feet.

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