Goalkickers: B. McLean, E. Betts, A. Walker, J. Garlett, B. Gibbs & S. Hampson 1.

Umpires: J. Bannister, S. Jeffery & B. Ritchie

Injuries: Kreuzer (hamstring tightness)

Ladder: 7th

Game Review

When the final siren sounded on this cold and wet Saturday afternoon at AAMI Stadium, Carlton supporters across the country were once again left dismayed and empty. For the third time in a month, the Blues had been soundly beaten by a harder, more committed opponent – this time Port Adelaide - and the dream of a top four finals place seemed to be slipping ever further away.

After consecutive losses to St Kilda and Adelaide in rounds 7 and 8, Carlton seemed to have regained confidence with an emphatic victory over Melbourne the previous week. Despite a long list of injuries to key players, the trek to Adelaide should have held little fear for the Blues, because each of the previous four encounters against the Power on their home turf had been won by an average of 38 points. Chris Yarran was a welcome inclusion in the side named on Thursday night, ending five weeks on the sidelines with a toe injury. He displaced Kane Lucas in the only change until the morning of the match, when a tight hamstring forced Matthew Kreuzer out. Andrew Collins was a late inclusion and was named as the Blues’ substitute.

In front of a sparse crowd of less than 25,000 on a bitterly-cold late afternoon, Carlton skipper Chris Judd won the toss and elected to kick with the aid of a slight breeze to the southern end. As the teams sorted themselves out, there were surprises aplenty. Paul Bower went forward, Walker and Garlett started in the centre, and Power uber-tagger Kane Cornes latched onto Kade Simpson – not Judd as most expected.

Port forward Jay Shulz kicked the opening goal of the game with a clever checkside dribble from a pocket. A few minutes later at the other end, Mitch Robinson fired a brilliant handball to Brock McLean for Carlton’s first. Eddie Betts then had a productive few minutes, taking a strong chest mark to kick his team's second, and following up with a clever dish-off to Walker for another. But Port wouldn’t be denied and the last ten minutes of the term belonged to them. Hungrier, more composed and first to the contest on most occasions, the Power were up by 13 points at quarter time, as steady rain began falling.

Jeff Garlett flashed in to post Carlton’s fourth goal early in the second term, but thereafter, Port Adelaide got right on top. Double-teaming Robbie Warnock in the ruck and sharking most of his tap-outs, the Power midfielders constantly drove their team forward, where Schulz was creating real problems for Blues full-back Michael Jamison. Captain Chris Judd was being constantly nullified at the stoppages, while Cornes had a tight leash on Simpson. At the long break, the Blues trailed by 32 points.

The rain eased as the third quarter began, and Carlton came out with noticeably more intensity. Port rose to the challenge however, and the match descended into a series of rolling mauls. Eventually, he deadlock was broken by Port midfielder Hamish Hartlett, who steered through a brilliant goal from wide out at half-forward to complement his 65-metre bomb in the first quarter. Only seconds later, Bryce Gibbs snapped a reply for the Blues, but at three-quarter time Port still led by 33 points. Rain was falling again, and the home side were about to finish on the breeze.

Barely 30 seconds into the last stanza, Robbie Warnock sent a scrubby kick forward where Hampson gathered, steadied, and kicked truly to cut the gap to 27 points. However, that was as close as the Blues got for the rest of the game. Inspired by Hartlett – who kicked his third long goal from a reversed free kick at the 10-minute mark, the Power added four more unanswered majors to run out deserved victors by 54 points. Carlton coach Brett Ratten summed up the general feeling afterwards by saying; "I think when you're wearing the club colours, whether you've got a few out, or you're being belted around, whatever, I think those men have to do the job for the team. We're not shying away from that, we have a responsibility."

With crucial matches against Geelong, West Coast, Hawthorn and Collingwood to come, everyone in the Bluebagger fraternity hoped that those words would sink in – and fast.

Subs : Andy Collins replaced Ed Curnow at the 18-minute mark of the third quarter.

Team

-*Late Changes Collins replaced Kreuzer

Milestones

Interesting Fact: With his goal in the 4th quarter, Shaun Hampson would double his career goal tally during Season 2012. Beginning with 14 goals to his name, Hampson's 14th goal in his 10th game for the year says a little about how the Coaches had sought to use 'Hammer' during the season.
Winning streaks: With this loss, Carlton's record 5 game winning streak over Port ended.

Brownlow Votes

3. Hamish Hartlett, Port Adelaide
2. Matthew Broadbent, Port Adelaide
1. Mat Thomas, Port Adelaide

Best & Fairest Votes

David Ellard 32, Zach Tuohy 26, Joshua Bootsma 16, Heath Scotland 10, Brock McLean 9, Chris Judd 6, Matthew Watson 4, Eddie Betts 3

Ladder