The Power 9.12 (66) went down to the Blues 18.24 (132).
It continued a frustrating season for Port Adelaide, which has now won just 10 of its past 12 encounters on the back of its Grand Final appearance against Geelong last year. Overall, the Power has won just five matches this season.
The match was all but over at half time for the Power after it mustered just two goals. In fact, had the Blues not registered 16 behinds from their 24 scoring shots to the long change, the margin could have been well beyond reach.
Although Port Adelaide improved its competitiveness in the second half, which was reflected on the scoreboard, Carlton still managed 10.8 to 6.5 after half time.
The Power had few winners on the day, although Kane Cornes' run-with role on Carlton skipper Chris Judd was an intriguing battle between two of the competition's elite players.
Although Cornes started the match on the wing, he immediately switched to Judd, who began in the middle.
By half time Cornes had 13 disposals to Judd's nine. In the end, both players had 24 touches, and each was a fine contributor to his respective side.
Big man Damon White, who started down back on Matthew Kreuzer, shifted forward to lead the Power's goalkicking with three majors, while Dean Brogan was the dominant ruckman on the ground with 22 hit-outs.
Ryan Williams made his AFL debut for the Power after he came in as a late replacement for in-form Travis Boak.
Boak's absence added to a host of key outs for the Power, with Warren Tredrea, Chad Cornes, Steven Salopek, Robbie Gray and the now retired Michael Wilson all on the sidelines.
For Carlton, Jarrad Waite led the way out of defense, and Shaun Grigg and Andrew Carrazzo provided great drive from half-back. Young guns Bryce Gibbs (30 disposals) and Marc Murphy (28) shone in the midfield and Brendan Fevola topped Carlton's goalkicking with four goals, although Alipate Carlile did a sterling job.
Carlton got off to a flier, posting the opening four goals to skip away to a 27-point lead deep into time-on.
But with just 20 seconds remaining, forward Justin Westhoff bobbed up with Port Adelaide's first for the match. The Power looked set to land its second moments later when David Rodan steamed towards goal, but his shot hit the post.
As a result, the Blues took a 21-point advantage into the first break.
The Blues continued to dominate in the second term and had it not been for their inaccuracy on the scoreboard, the margin would've been far greater than the 47-point lead they took into half-time.
Carlton kicked 4.9 to 1.1 for the term, and the Power fans had little to cheer about in the first half.
Although it was still outplayed in the second half, Port Adelaide delivered a more competitive showing, but it was never enough to stop Carlton from delivering its ninth win of the season.
Carlton 4.7 8.16 12.22 18.24 (132)
Port Adelaide 1.4 2.5 5.8 9.12 (66)
GOALS
Carlton: Fevola 4, Walker 3, Fisher 2, Kreuzer 2, Cloke, Gibbs, Grigg, Judd, Simpson, Stevens . Port Adelaide: White 3, Motlop 2, Brogan, K.Cornes, Salter, J.Westhoff
BEST
Carlton: Waite, Gibbs, Grigg, Murphy, Carrazzo, Judd, Walker. Port Adelaide: Brogan, K.Cornes, White, P.Burgoyne
INJURIES
Carlton: Betts (hamstring tightness) replaced in selected side by Hampson. Port Adelaide: Boak replaced in selected side by Williams
REPORTS
Nil.
Umpires: K.Nicholls, McInerney, Mollison
Official crowd: 29,696 at Telstra Dome
