Port Adelaide secure fourth consecutive win with dour 21-point victory over Carlton at the MCG

PORT Adelaide has continued its winning ways by overpowering a dour Carlton team determined to cause an upset in veteran Kade Simpson’s 300th game. But it wasn’t to be thanks to starring performances from Chad Wingard and Robbie Gray.

Robbie Gray put on a show in the second term. Picture: Getty

PORT Adelaide is ticking off its aim to “normalise winning” and firm as genuine premiership contender following a four-win surge that consigned Carlton to its most demoralising season start.

It’s not always pretty but Ken Hinkley’s men are getting the job done with a 10-4 win-loss record and top four status after a dour 21-point win.

A three-goal spree in as many minutes from Steve Moltop, brilliant Chad Wingard (two goals, 11 contested possessions) and Charlie Dixon silenced the Blues in the final term. Travis Boak and Todd Marshall iced a result that had been in the balance with Port leading by two points at the final change.

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Motlop’s checkside was set up by an entry from former Demon Jack Trengove in his first game for a year. Trengove’s 20-touch display from halfback, replacing Darcy Byrne-Jones, showed there is room for romance in football

Ollie Wines’ assist for Wingard’s second and knockout blow of a gallant Carlton underlined the class that Power boss Hinkley has and Blues counterpart Brendon Bolton covets.

Robbie Gray put on a show in the second term. Picture: Getty

Paddy Dow and Matt Kennedy slotted final term goals but that was little consolation for a side that is now 1-13 this season. Carlton’s 2018 run is now worse than its 2-12 start in the 1897, 1901, 2002 and 2006 seasons.

Port has run sweet and sour since going close to making a Grand Final in 2014. This was precisely the gimme game the old Port would lose — not any more.

Port knew Carlton would rally in Kade Simpson’s 300th game while the veteran (37 touches, nine contested) played out of his skin in an all-star showing with Patrick Cripps (32) and four-goal gem Charlie Curnow.

Carlton kicked 2.5 while Port fell flat, scoreless in the third term.

Robbie Gray, Tom Rockliff (28 touches, 12 contested) Wingard, Ollie Wines and Sam Powell-Pepper showed why Port is the No.1 ranked side for centre clearances prevailing 15-8.

In contrast to its Melbourne win last round, Port won in the clinches but struggled to shake off the Blues. Charlie Curnow’s fourth, mammoth goal in the third term reduced the margin to two goals, which would have been cancelled out except for consecutive set shot misses from Levi Casboult.

Jack Trengove was impressive in his Port Adelaide debut. Picture: Michael Klein

A club can owe so much to one individual. Having booted Port’s opener, Gray ignited the Power in the second term when it was crying out something special. Gray’s second came from Port’s seventh consecutive inside 50 entry. Mercurial Gray weaved through the Blues backline on the run like Gary Ablett senior at his peak for a third major.

A Wingard clearance and goal was followed by more from Marshall and excellent swingman Justin Westhoff, always in the right place at the right time. Port had fired its steam engine. Give Marshall a crumb and he’ll turn it into a goal and so it proved with the young forward’s first touch.

Port worked out that a triple team on Charlie Curnow was often required such is the gulf in class with developing teammates.

The Blues’ only goal of the second term came after the siren, to Jarrod Pickett, which kept the inexperienced battlers within 19 points.

Port Adelaide players helped form a guard of honour for 300-gamer Kade Simpson. Picture: Getty

Hinkley had demanded intensity entering this game but it was Carlton who started with purpose. Port always looks more vulnerable without Tom Jonas and Dougal Howard found himself in a tricky match-up with Curnow who booted three of Carlton’s four first term goals. Curnow, 21, is worth every bit of Carlton’s million dollar annual investment.

Determined to honour Simpson’s 300th game, superstars Marc Murphy and Cripps ensured Carlton had booted five straight by quarter time to lead by six points.

Port had to rely on Gray’s brilliance — a mark and snap for goal — for its opener. Relentless forward pressure allowed Lindsay Thomas to boot Port’s second then Brad Ebert to set up a third through Westhoff.

SCOREBOARD

PORT ADELAIDE 3.6 8.9 8.9 13.12 (90)

CARLTON 5.0 6.2 8.7 10.9 (69)

BEST

POWER: Gray, Wingard, Westhoff, Rockliff, Wines, Powell-Pepper, Thomas, Houston,

BLUES: Cripps, Simpson, C Curnow, Murphy E Curnow, Graham, Jones, Rowe

GOALS

POWER: R. Gray 3, Westhoff 2, Marshall 2, Wingard 2, Thomas, Motlop, Dixon, Boak

BLUES: C. Curnow 4, Murphy, Cripps, Pickett, Phillips, Dow, Kennedy.

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