Port Adelaide has won its third consecutive match and fourth for 2012 after defeating Carlton by 54 points at AAMI Stadium.
The Power lost the toss with Blues captain Chris Judd electing to kick with the breeze to the northern end of AAMI Stadium.
Midfielder John McCarthy was a late withdrawal from the game and replaced by emerging youngster Andrew Moore in Power side - commencing as substitute with Paul Stewart, Brett Ebert and Jarrad Redden on the bench.
For Carlton, young ruckman Matthew Kreuzer was omitted from the side prior to the game with hamstring soreness and replaced by Andrew Collins.
First Quarter
Starting in the ruck, Brent Renouf won the opening contest and Port Adelaide was able to work the ball sideways to set up Jay Schulz about forty metres out in the right forward pocket.
Bending the ball back, Schulz was able to kick his first for the night with a curling kick along the ground to put Port Adelaide on the board.
Carlton quickly responded with Brock McLean sneaking one in from around his body before Chris Judd set up Eddie Betts to put the Blues in front by a goal.
As quickly as Carlton had gained the ascendency, Port was quick to retrieve it - Schulz again claiming the score with a great contested mark that has again characterised his season.
Carlton’s third goal through Andrew Walker put Carlton back in front, but the Power then proceeded to control the play - kicking the next three straight.
The first came from a free to Matthew Thomas clocked high around the neck before Matthew Broadbent slotted his first for the night through an ace kick from an acute angle just inside 50.
Hamish Hartlett received the ball from a good piece of inside midfield work to put his first on the board and extend Port Adelaide’s lead to two goals.
Port Adelaide controlled the majority of play to the end of the quarter and lead by 13 points.
Scoreboard
Port Adelaide 5.1 (31) leads
Carlton 3.1 (19)
Stats
Disposals: Broadbent 10, Cornes 8, Jacobs, Schulz, P. Stewart, Trengove 4
Marks: Cornes, Schulz, Trengove 4, Jacobs 3
Hit outs: Redden 5, Renouf 4
Tackles: Wingard 3, Carlile, Pearce, P. Stewart, Westhoff 2
Goals: Schulz 2, Thomas, Broadbent, Hartlett
Despite the forecast predicting clear skies with an almost non-existent chance of rain, the rain still came - a sudden downpour in the quarter time break that sent the spectators rushing for their raincoats.
Carlton adjusted to the conditions quicker, with a quick goal to the Blues closing the gap back to a goal.
Port Adelaide, despite not winning potential frees inside attacking 50, demonstrated cool heads under pressure and did its utmost to lock the ball within its forward zone.
The rewards came however, with Jay Schulz awarded a free for being held 35 metres directly in front goal - converting Port Adelaide’s first for the quarter to extend the margin back out to 13 points.
Port again won the centre clearance and despite the sloppy skills on offer, saw a silky-smooth Danyle Pearce evade several double blue jumpers to curl in his first for the evening.
Under another wave of rainfall, Matt Thomas proved instrumental in fending off two Blues defenders to pull a quick manoeuvre to Darren Pfeiffer who in turn set up Brett Ebert directly in front of goals - promptly converting his first, and Port’s eighth for the evening.
Port Adelaide’s pressure and numbers around the ball was streets ahead of their rivals in the second term and pivotal for its transition from defensive 50 in to attack swiftly and efficiently.
The ability of the Power to lock the ball into attacking 50 in the wet conditions was the key to cementing its goals and it showed why with Paul Stewart skidding through his first of the night.
Port Adelaide leads by 32 points at the main change.
Second Quarter Scoreboard
Port Adelaide 9.4 (58) leads
Carlton 4.2 (26)
Stats
Disposals: Cornes 19, Broadbent 17, Boak 13, Jacobs, Schulz, Thomas 11
Marks: Cornes 6, Schulz, Trengove 5, Broadbent, Chaplin, Jacobs 4
Hit outs: Renouf, Redden 10
Tackles: Brad Ebert 6, Hartlett, Pearce 4
Goals: Schulz 3, Thomas, Broadbent, Hartlett, Pearce, Brett Ebert, P. Stewart
The third quarter began with another long bomb forward for the Power, but for the first nineteen minutes no goal from either side was registered.
Port Adelaide held the ball inside its attacking half for the majority of the quarter unable to break through for a score.
The Power’s resilience against the Blues was credible with many of its key midfielders doing their utmost to rebound defensively and lock the ball in attack.
Hartlett broke the scoring drought for the Power with an amazing shot from the left corner of attacking 50 - prompting the talented utility to acknowledge the crowd with one raised arm.
Andrew Collins was brought in for Ed Curnow after Sujan’s major, with Port Adelaide continuing to hold Andrew Moore on standby.
Carlton responded, almost immediately, through SA-raised number one draft pick Bryce Gibbs who promptly left the ground for his rotation.
Port again worked the turnovers and battled superbly to keep the ball out of the hands of the Carlton forwards.
Port Adelaide leads by 33 points at the final change.
Third Quarter Scoreboard
Port Adelaide 10.9 (69) leads
Carlton 5.2 (36)
Stats
Disposals: Broadbent 27, Cornes 24, Hartlett 18, Boak, Thomas 15
Marks: Cornes, Schulz 7, Broadbent, Trengove 6
Hit outs: Renouf 16, Redden 9
Tackles: Brad Ebert 11, Hartlett 8, Cornes, Brett Ebert, Pearce, Redden 4
Goals: Schulz 3, Thomas, Broadbent, Hartlett 2, Pearce, Brett Ebert, P. Stewart
Fourth Quarter
Carlton kicked the opening goal of the fourth quarter through Simon Hampson forcing Port Adelaide to respond to the closed deficit.
The response came, two forward entries again locked in by a desperate Power forward line saw the conversion come through Matthew Broadbent - again demonstrating why 2012 is a break out year for the talented western suburbs boy.
With Schulz subbed off from a collision with a teammate, Andrew Moore exploded onto the ground to shrug a tackle and set Brett Ebert up with a set shot on goal.
Standout performances across the ground from first year or emerging youngsters like Chad Wingard, Jarrad Redden and Andrew Moore gave the 24,746 spectators at AAMI Stadium a glimpse into the promising future of Port Adelaide.
It was also an important game for a number of performers playing back into form - Hamish Hartlett kicking three goals as a running half-back and employing a huge range of behind-the-scenes efforts to support the Power’s forward charge.
Matt Thomas also demonstrated a great performance as a tackling forward with a huge number of defensive efforts coupled with his first term goal.
Chad Wingard kicked Port Aelaide’s 13th major for the night to put the game beyond doubt, quickly followed by Justin Westhoff with his first.
Port Adelaide's victory is its third in a row on the back of wins against North Melbourne and the Gold Coast, and fourth in 2012.
Final Scoreboard
Port Adelaide 14.15 (99) def
Carlton 6.9 (45)
Best: Broadbent, Hartlett, Brad Ebert, Thomas, Pearce, Schulz
Stats
Disposals: Broadbent 31, Cornes 28, Hartlett 26, Brad Ebert 20, Pearce, Thomas 19
Marks: Chaplin 8, Cornes, Schulz, Trengove 7
Hit outs: Renouf 24, Redden 15
Tackles: Brad Ebert 14, Hartlett 9, Pearce 7, Cornes, Westhoff 6
Goals: Schulz, Hartlett 3, Broadbent 2, Thomas, Pearce, Brett Ebert, P. Stewart, Wingard, Westhoff
Crowd: 24,746 at AAMI Stadium
