By Greg Davis
Robbie Gray celebrates his after the siren goal to seal victory for Port.Credit: Getty Images
A Robbie Gray match-winner after the siren broke Carlton hearts at the Gabba on Sunday but the Blues lost no friends as they took the league-leading Port Adelaide to the wire.
The siren went just before Gray converted from near the boundary line and 45 metres out from goal with Carlton leading by three points, to hand the Power a nail-biting three-point win and send them one game clear of the competition on top of the ladder.
Gray – along with Charlie Dixon and Todd Marshall – had missed earlier shots at goal that would have put the Power in front as the brave Blues clung to their slender lead but Port Adelaide were not to be denied with a 9.10 (64) to 9.7 (61) win.
"I knew there wasn't long left. I was still reasonably confident going back," Gray said.
Carlton started the round in the top eight for the first time in seven years and the way they went head-to-head with the Power suggests they will re-enter the rarefied air sooner rather than later.
The Blues levelled the scores in the final term through Sam Walsh before Jack Newnes gave them a seven-point lead over the Power, who lost Ryan Burton (quad) and Steven Motlop (ankle) in the fourth quarter.
The Power swamp Gray after his goal.Credit: Getty Images
Dixon reduced Carlton's lead to just one point before McKay gave Carlton a 61-54 buffer to set up a thrilling conclusion when the Blues repelled wave after wave of Port Adelaide attack until the final foray.
A McKay left-foot snap from up against the boundary line levelled the scores early in the third after Port had a slender six-point cushion at half-time.
Dixon's second major for the day from a free kick put the Power back in front as Port threatened to break the game open only to be wasteful in front of goal.
The opening quarter was a cracker in ideal conditions for football.
Port Adelaide landed the first few blows through goals to Travis Boak, Dixon and Motlop to race to an 18-0 lead.
It looked like Carlton's bubble had burst.
But the Blues hit back in emphatic style. An Eddie Betts mark helped set up a Michael Gibbons major to put a dent in Port's momentum before Walsh finished off a sweeping movement down the Vulture Street wing.
And then Carlton added the party tricks. First, it was McKay who took a contested grab 65 metres out from goal, had two bounces and produced a running checkside.
Jack Martin collected the Sherrin on centre wing, had two bounces and converted from 50 metres out to completely swing the game back to the Blues, who moved the ball beautifully out of defence and found space at every turn.
A Kane Farrell crumbing goal helped Port close the margin to two points at the first change when the Power had 31 more disposals, five more inside 50 entries and three more clearances but still managed to be trailing the efficient and entertaining Blues.
The second term was less end-to-end than the first quarter with Port Adelaide wrestling back the lead through goals to Farrell and Zak Butters with a Betts special in heavy traffic the only goal for the Blues.
I'd like to see that
Those hand-wringing about the quality of football in 2020 should watch a replay of the first quarter at the Gabba. In perfect, sunny, dry and fast conditions, the Blues and Power piled on eight goals for the term – one more than the Tigers and Swans produced collectively in four quarters last Sunday.
Betts brilliance
Long may Eddie Betts play. He didn't get a lot of it but if he wasn't sparking Carlton with a spectacular mark, slick handball or clever goal in traffic, he was running hard down to Carlton's half-back flank to give his side an extra option coming out of the back half. He also had Port defenders stressed when he lurked with intent at inside 50 stoppages.
Bad luck, Charlie
Port spearhead Charlie Dixon is a monster. He was the most dangerous forward on the ground all day but missed three consecutive shots at goal across the first and second terms and a sitter in the fourth term. The big unit finished with a return of 3.4 and six contested marks but it could have been an even better day out.
CARLTON
4.2 5.4 6.6 9.7 (61)
PORT ADELAIDE
4.1 6.4 7.6 9.10 (64)
GOALS
Carlton: McKay 3, Walsh 2, Gibbons, Betts, Martin, Newnes
Port Adelaide: Dixon 3, Farrell 2, Motlop, Butters, Gray, Boak
BEST
Carlton: Cripps, McKay, Curnow, Walsh, Weitering
Port Adelaide: Dixon, Byrne-Jones, Butters, Gray, Marshall
UMPIRES
Nicholls, Whetton, Williamson
VENUE Gabba
CROWD 3510