AFL round 20: Carlton v Port Adelaide, news, stats and SuperCoach scores

Port Adelaide has made its move in the packed race for the top four, coming from 25 points down to defeat Carlton and leave the Blues’ hopes of a double chance in serious jeopardy.

Ronny Lerner

2 min read

July 26, 2024 - 11:01PM

NewsWire

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 26: Matthew Kennedy of the Blues warms up before before the round 20AFL match between Carlton Blues and Port Adelaide Power at Marvel Stadium, on July 26, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

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Port Adelaide have fought back from five goals down late in the first half to register a stirring 14-point win and deliver a potential hammer blow to Carlton’s top-four hopes at Marvel Stadium on Friday night.

The Blues looked on course to maintain their grip on a top-two spot when they piled on six goals in a row to jump out to a 31-point lead.

But Carlton ran out of puff spectacularly after halftime as the Power midfield ran roughshod over the hosts to clinch a memorable 11.13 (79) to 9.11 (65) victory after booting the last six goals of the game.

The second-placed Blues could drop as low as sixth on the ladder by the end of the round after losing three of their last four games while the Power have provisionally lifted themselves into third position.

The momentum shifted back the Power’s way dramatically in the second half, and after initially being stymied again by inaccuracy, as well as silly mistakes in their forward line, their tackle pressure skyrocketed and they went on a clearance rampage as their midfield, led by Connor Rozee and Zak Butters, got right back on top.

Jason-Horne-Francis, Willie Rioli and Travis Boak enjoy a goal. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

BLUES BLOW LATE SHOTS

The Blues completely ran out of legs but still managed to produce two late chances to re-take the lead via long-range set shots from Elijah Hollands and Matthew Kennedy, however, neither found their target.

With 5:08 remaining, Jason Horne-Francis showed them how it’s done as he split the big sticks from 50m out directly in front and Darcy Byrne-Jones iced the Power cake when he soccered one home three minutes later.

Zak Butters got going after being well held in the first half. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

POWER MIDS RUN RIOT

Carlton’s star-studded midfield had been in poor form in their previous three games, and had to lift to give their team their best chance of winning, but after taking the points in the first half, they were emphatically outshone by their Port Adelaide counterparts as Ollie Wines, Connor Rozee, Jason Horne-Francis, Zak Butters and Travis Boak took over.

Wines finished with 26 disposals, 12 contested possessions, 10 clearances and nine tackles, Rozee had 24 touches, Horne-Francis chimed in with 23 possessions, five clearances and a goal, Butters registered 23 disposals and Boak had 22.

Port tagger Willem Drew kept Patrick Cripps (25 disposals) quiet and after being well beaten in the first half by Charlie Curnow (three goals), Aliir Aliir fought back well (eight marks) and took some very important grabs late when the Blues tried to mount a comeback.

In the end the Power blitzed the Blues in tackles (91-72), clearances (42-33) and inside 50s (56-45) to run right over the top of their more-fancied opponents.