PORT ADELAIDE 5.2 9.4 10.9 14.15 (99)
CARLTON 3.1 4.2 5.6 6.9 (45)

In one of the surprise victories of the season, Port Adelaide has belted the floundering Carlton Blues by 54 points.

With both coaches feeling the heat in the last few weeks, Matthew Primus’ side have been spectacular in providing the giant with a bit of job security by beating the Suns, North Melbourne and now the Blues in a month to remember.

Meanwhile, its all going pear shaped at Visy Park. Flag favorites a month ago and fancied by everyone; the Blues are now coming off their third loss in a month and losing ground on the Top 8 quickly.

Saturday night loomed as a dull night of football to the masses: Red hot Essendon were facing the lackluster Demons, while even a slightly resurgent Port Adelaide loomed as long odds to beat the talented Blues. By the end of the night, the Dees would have pulled off the loss of the year and Brett Ratten’s head would be on the proverbial chopping block after a near 10 goal loss to last years laughing stock.

The game was never in doubt; right from the get go the Power wanted it more. They went in at quarter time with a 2 goal lead and extended it to 5 at the main break.

Hamish Hartlett continued to show his mettle with a spectacular performance that ended with 26 disposals and 3 goals, while Jay Schulz bagged 3 majors.

A half time spray wasn’t enough for a Carlton side with questionable motivation. They kicked 2 goals 7 to Port’s 5 goals 9 in the second half. Not a single player ended up a multiple goal scorer for the Navy Blues and David Ellard ended up as the top gatherer with 27 touches.

With speculation about Mick Malthouse regaining the itch surging, Ratten, despite Steven Kernahan’s angry defense of his credentials, will be having plenty of sleepless nights.

Primus, meanwhile, is having the best month of his coaching career. “Joke” tags are disappearing by the minute as the vultures home in on the Blues instead.

Carlton officials will be thanking the Dees for taking the attention away from the club, while opposition supporters will be filthy that the AFL Memes Facebook page has stopped taking amateur admissions.

Brock McLean will be one of the few Carlton players who can keep their heads up high, while the Chris Judd will be left scratching his head as to how to command his troops.

Votes:
3 – Hamish Hartlett was just absolutely fantastic. 26 touches and 3 goals yet another reminder that he may well be the best from the ’08 draft.

2 – Matt Broadbent racked up 31 disposals.

1 – Jay Schulz’s 3 goals went a long way in a low scoring game.

GOALS
Port Adelaide: Hartlett, Schulz 3, Broadbent 2, Thomas, Pearce, Stewart, Brett Ebert, Wingard, Westhoff
Carlton: McLean, Betts, Walker, Garlett, Gibbs, Hampson

INJURIES
Port Adelaide: John McCarthy (corked calf) replaced in selected side by Andrew Moore
Carlton: Matthew Kreuzer (hamstring) replaced in selected side by Andrew Collins

SUBS:
Port Adelaide’s Andrew Moore replaced Jay Schulz in the fourth quarter
Carlton’s Andrew Collins replaced Ed Curnow in the third quarter

Reports
Port Adelaide: Nil
Carlton: Nil

Umpires: Ritchie, Jeffery, Bannister

Official crowd: 24, 476 at AAMI Stadium