Blues dealt reality check as Power keep finals hopes alive in epic ...

Port Adelaide have stunned Carlton to keep their finals aspirations alive in 2024, coming from behind to clinch a narrow 14-point victory, 11.13 (79) to 9.11 (65).

The Blues booted seven goals to two in the second quarter to open up a 25-point lead at the main break, but Port Adelaide stormed home with seven of the last eight goals, restricting Carlton to just one goal after half time.

Jason Horne-Francis stood tall in the dying stages with a huge set shot conversion from the 50-metre arc, while Darcy Byrne-Jones made something out of nothing with a controversial goal late.

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Charlie Curnow was lively in attack in the first half with three majors but struggled after half time as Port Adelaide’s key defenders managed to nullify his impact.

The loss of partner in crime Harry McKay (illness) was clearly felt by the Blues, who struggled to impact the scoreboard if it wasn’t through Curnow.

Former Brownlow Medallist Ollie Wines was immense in the middle of the ground with 26 touches and nine goals, while Willem Drew did a terrific job restricting captain Patrick Cripps and finding plenty of the footy himself.

Mitch Georgiades booted three goals, while Esava Ratugolea moved forward and was strong with two majors.

The 3-2-1...

3. POWER STUN BLUES IN MONUMENTAL WIN

Port Adelaide has stunned Carlton, coming from 31 points down to overrun the Blues in the clutch to pull off a massive season-defining, upset win on Friday night.

The Power looked in real strife in the first half as the Blues juggernaut got up and running including a seven goal to two second term.

But Ken Hinkley’s side put its head down and got to work against the odds in enemy territory to keep its season alive.

Port Adelaide kicked seven goals in the second half and kept Carlton to just one major while controlling the midfield battle.

It included Jackson Mead giving Port its first lead of the night early in the fourth term before Jason Horne-Francis and Darcy Byrne-Jones kicked late goals to seal a monumental victory.

The ladder tells the story of just how important it was, with the Power suddenly finding themself in third position with the rest of the round still to play out instead of fighting for a spot in the top eight.

“They defended well and stayed with them and fought back hard in the second half, they would’ve known Carlton were coming off a five-day break and were vulnerable,” Lions champion Jonathan Brown said.

“All the numbers were suggesting they were coming really hard, they ran over the top of them,” Melbourne champion Garry Lyon replied.

“It wasn’t necessarily pretty… when their backs were to the wall… they found a way, it’s season-defining.”

Port Adelaide convincingly won the inside 50s (+11) and clearances (+10).

Former Hawthorn superstar Jordan Lewis said the Power stuck to their guns for longer than the Blues.

“For all that was going against them, I just felt they stuck to their game plan. Carlton jumped at half time… they stopped playing and stopped running,” he said.

Former Brownlow Medallist Ollie Wines dominated around the coalface with 26 disposals and nine tackles, while Willem Drew toiled away all night with 22 touches and 12 tackles.

2. CHARLIE HELD AFTER FIRST CLASS MASTERCLASS

Charlie Curnow lit up Marvel Stadium with three goals in the first half before the absence of Harry McKay ultimatley proved to be a key factor in dismantling the Blues.

It included Curnow kicking two of Carlton’s six-straight goals in the second term to separate the game as part of the star forward’s highest rated first half this year.

But after Curnow very much had the better of direct opponent Aliir Aliir in that first half, Port’s other defenders did a better job of zoning off and supporting Aliir in the second half, which they otherwise mightn’t have been able to do with McKay out there.

And with Curnow held, the Blues’ other forwards struggled to contribute or help bring the ball to ground.

Geelong champion forward Tom Hawkins challenged Port’s backs to help Aliir more against the two-time Coleman medallist in a a shift that ultimatley proved critical.

“Just the workmate of (Curnow) up and down the ground … he’s looking very dangerous,” Hawkins said of Curnow on Fox Footy at half-time.

“He’s the sort of player that commands different opponents throughout the game. You’re obviously going to have one direct opponent for a long period of time, but you need help.

“Whether that’s Zerk-Thatcher or Miles Bergman, you just need help with players like Charlie, who are just so good in the air and at ground level.”

On track for a third-straight Coleman Medal in another brilliant season from Curnow, the 27-year old brought up his 200th goal since 2022 as the clear No. 1 forward in the game during that period.

But even Curnow on Friday night showed he’s only human – and can only do so much.

1. BUTTERS FIGHTS THROUGH CINCOTTA TAG

It was an up and down night for Port Adelaide star Zak Butters up against the Alex Cincotta tag.

Butters had 10 of his 23 disposals to half-time for little influence on the game, with Port’s other on-ballers at times criticised by the broadcast commentators for not protecting the stud midfielder enough or blocking Cincotta.

Ken Hinkley moved Butters forward in the third quarter to great effect, working hard up the ground and generally looking more dangerous with ball in hand.

Even if Butters’ numbers were down, it was great resilience and determination from the 23-year old to find a way to get involved in the game, while Port controlled the midfield all night including winning the clearance battle 43-33.

Western Bulldogs legend Brad Johnson at half-time called for Hinkley to change up Butters’ role in a ploy to shake off the Cincotta tag.

“He’s trying this best to handle it, the way Cincotta is playing him is quite smart,” Johnson said on Fox Footy half-time.

“He’s trying his backside off and running from wing to wing to break Cincotta, but hasn’t been successful.

“Around the ground stoppages he’s been a liability, Cincotta is physical and pushing him around … I think you need (Dan) Houston and (Jason) Horne-Francis in around the stoppage more around the ground and get Butters forward.

“Start him at centre bounce then play forward completely, Cincotta is unlikely to go with him or I think he’d match up well with him deep.”

MATCH UPDATES

Harry McKay was a late withdrawal due to illness, replaced by Lewis Young. Subs are Jack Carroll (Carlton) and Quinton Narkle (Port Adelaide).

Carlton coach Michael Voss told Fox Footy pre-game that Blues tagger Alex Cincotta would spend time on Port Adelaide superstar Zak Butters.

In the absence of his partner in crime, Carlton spearhead and Coleman Medal leader Charlie Curnow stood up and booted the first goal of the match.

Blues midfielder Elijah Hollands saved a certain goal when he chased down Port young gun Jase Burgoyne running into an open goal.

Port Adelaide got their first major through Esava Ratugolea, who has gone forward to start tonight, before fellow tall Mitch Georgiades added his name to the goalkicking list for tonight.

The Blues were forced into an early substitution, bringing Jack Carroll on to replace David Cuningham (dislocated shoulder).

Port Adelaide led 2.2 (14) to 1.4 (10) at the first change.

It was the first time since round seven that Carlton had trailed at the first change.

Carlton got the first of the second through Matthew Kennedy, to give the Blues a strong start.

Georgiades booted his second to get the immediate reply.

Lewis Young, who was the late in for McKay, was awarded a free kick inside forward 50 after a marking contest infringement and he converted the set shot accurately to put the Blues in front.

Matthew Cottrell added another and the Blues shot out to a game-high two-goal lead.

Curnow’s third and one from Owies saw the Blues extend the margin to 25 points.

Curnow was wreaking havoc, standing up despite the absence of McKay.

Georgiades slotted his third to claw one back for the Power, who trailed by 25 points at half time.

Darcy Byrne-Jones finally broke the deadlock in the third term, with some crafty work inside 50 with just over seven minutes left on the clock.

“Carlton are being asked to do a lot of defending at the moment,” Channel 7 commentator James Brayshaw said.

Underrated Blue Matthew Kennedy soared high to take a nice grab before converting, re-establishing a 23-point lead.

But two quick goals from Willie Rioli and Kane Farrell saw the Power get right back into the contest.

“They can smell some blood in the water here,” Brayshaw said.

The Blues led 9.8 (62) to 7.10 (52) at the final change.

Ratugolea bobbed up for another major at the start of the fourth term, as did Jackson Mead and all of a sudden the Power were in front!

Carlton were unable to make the most of their opportunities in the final term before young gun Jason Horne-Francis stood tall, converting a huge set shot to put the Power in prime position.

There was some late umpire drama with a score review of Darcy Byrne-Jones’ goal, where the ball struck the umpire when it could have potentially hit the post.

The Power ran out 14-point victors to reaffirm their status as serious finals contenders in 2024.

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